3D Printing: Junior Projects Ongoing

We have students looking for opportunities to complete individualised projects that are not otherwise available.

In this case shown left a basic design was created by a student, using a previous available tutorial on Tinkercad.   When the design was completed it was then passed to a senior student with which to complete the spray painting of the design.    The student was extremely pleased with the results.

There were a point that the hole for the attachment of a cord or drawstring was slightly too big or too close to the edge of the design, however the student opted against a reprint.

The print took five and a half hours to complete and was 140mm high, was 100mm wide and was 10mm thick.   It was designed to be as robust as possible as it was for a gear bag.

We have continued to allow students to experiment with the develop ideas related to Christmas Decorations.  This is something that we have done each year as it has allowed each design to be created and also has a realistic print time for the project to be completed and allow each student to progress from a concept, to an idea, to a design and then refine the design as required.

In the example shown left the students basic block shape has been further refined by inserts for the name and shape and a ring inserted in the top left to allow the decoration to be hung easily from a tree.  The design measures 90mm by 90mm and was then subsequently spray painted by a senior student.   The print time was two and a half hours.

You can read a presentation about ten years of Christmas Decorations Projects.

Christmas Gifts/Unique Designs/Earrings Business for Students.    When we held our School Market Day last year we created a range of business that featured and used all of our technology opportunities for our students.  The laser cutter was used for various market day projects, the sticker machine was used for packaging and labelling and we had several 3D Printed based businesses.   One of which being run by a Y3 student was based around 3D Printing Earrings.  This student is now a year older however we have made the decision to feature some of these designs for sale from the school office for Christmas gifts given that they are unique and we can produce them at a rate that is achievable and quickly (typically the pair of earrings as shown in the photograph can be printed in thirty minutes or thereabouts).  We will be featuring these in an area adjacent to our school office with the intention that they can be designed. created and marketed by our students.

Christmas Projects: Something unique, something personal and something created by a student.

This was a relatively straight forward design from a Y3 student in the classroom who was creating and designing for one of the first times.   

It was easily achievable to complete a Tinkercad design that the student was intending to complete with spray painting.

The student was extremely proud of this intending to use it to label for the family pet.    The design was 120mm long/across, was was 10mm high and was 50mm wide at the ends and 40mm wide in the middle for the print.

3D Printed Junior Tinkercad Progression Design

 

Challenge: To produce a label that is suitable for a adult to use to attach to a gear bag, designed, reshaped and redesigned by a junior.

Background: One of the things that we like to do with the 3D Printer is to try and get the students using Tinkercad and revising, remodelling and improving their design until it has changed significantly or served its purpose.   An example with the process, involving a seven year old (Y3) student designing independently without the input or supervision of a teacher.

The task was straight forward and relatively easy, involving creating a tag for a bag.  We actually took a photograph the cow tag (shown above left, yellow) and used Markup to draw the design.  This gave us a starting point for the student to take the design and bring it into Tinkercad.  We also had the object to refer to the student to ensure that the size was correct.   While he did use the measurement aspect of Tinkercad clearly when the student created prototype (shown above) was compared to the original object in terms of size it was clearly not the correct dimensions - It was 60mm long and 30mm high.

The second design, when revised came from the feedback that was created for person who wanted to use it.   The tag design was more clearly evident and also the top of the design, with a narrow neck for the first one wasn't considered robust enough for a high use object.  Again as can be seen by the example shown left, the dimensions again were not as intended and therefore the shape was requested to be redesigned.   The student was again able to redesign the shape - it should be mentioned that the redesign here is very basic as the student is grouping different designs with lettering and the basic shape with a hole inserted - three basic steps.

The final form of the design was then created by the student.  Again using the tag as the guide this produced a result which finally reflected the dimensions that were originally intended.

The final completed version is as shown left.  In this example the dimensions are correct, while not exactly perfect these were close enough in the range to ensure that the person the design was intended for was happy.

Size: The final design measured 60mm across and was 80mm high.  This design was 5mm thick which significantly allowed a number of the final designs to be published.

Timeframe: Forty five minutes to complete the print.  This allowed multiple versions of the same print to be printed.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: This print was able to be reshaped and redesigned several times and was shown to the student as a way of having it in their hands to ensure that they understood the changes that needed to be made.   Tinkercad is perfect for junior students to use in this instance to work independently on design - we didn't AR/VR this example before printing it but of course this is something else that could have been done.

Gala Day Signs - Using the Sticker Machine

Using the Versa Sign Maker to create signage for the School Gala Day/Event.  We are always looking for practical examples on how we apply our technology.  This is a simple example of one of the games that we used for our School Gala Night.   The machine was used to print a vinyl sticker - the sticker was printed large, that is 50cm by 1 metre.    The sticker was then applied to a sheet of corrugated cardboard.   In this case we used a real estate agents sign, which was supplied to us by a local agent that they no longer required.  This allows our students who were running this event to have signage that was labelled with the school details (mascot and name at the bottom) with the graphics completed on a Mac.   In the event of there being any rain during or before the school gala we were safe in the knowledge that the sign would not get wet (as it is essentially a large vinyl sticker).

The second version of these posters was created by a student using the Pic Collage app.   This was a design that was created in a short time-frame and as a result the student was able to produce signage for their school fundraiser that took place during the school gala night.

This produced a robust large sign that could be then used (and potentially used again in the future, there is no evidence of any colour running or fading of the design.   As a further note an example of this use of the machine has been created for advertising a local event.  The event poster was created by a local sports club, this poster has been placed outside in a location that was visibly prominent but also exposed to the elements.  This has been in place now for nearly a calendar year and there is no evidence of any damage to the sign, no evidence of fading etc.  This has been in place during a New Zealand winter and was exposed to a full range of elements.

Junior Evolving Christmas Print: Decorations

Challenge: To produce a unique and original Christmas decoration.

Background: Again this year we have challenged our students to create an original Christmas decoration - which we are printing in time for the festive season.

As an overview we have published a slideshow which shows ten years of Christmas based Tinkercad designed prints which is located on this blog here.

One of the things that we have challenged the students with this project to do is to think about how we might be able to change the print or reshape or design it and include it into something else.  In this case the design shown above was created as a tree with the intention of it being used to hang from a traditional tree.  As can be seen from the photograph the design is missing a hole.  There was an insert put into the design, however the student did not make the hole in the design big enough and as a consequence it was not successfully printed.   

The design took fifty minutes to print - and a pair was printed as the student was interested in investigating the potential to convert the design into a pair of earrings.

Previously we have students who have produced an entire range of 3D Printed unique earrings - these were initially created for various projects but have proven popular when we have our school Market Days.

The other aspect of the project that has proven to be positive is that the student concerned has completed a project, it has had a very reasonable print time and has then adapted and developed this idea, this project and this work (completely independently) further.

The final earring design is shown left.   Again while the details are clear they have been created by the main Tinkercad interface and designed by a student in a very short space of time.

Size: The first version of the tree was slightly larger being 50mm tall, 30mm wide and 5mm thick.   The finished earring shown left was slightly smaller to make it a more realistic earring size - 30mm high, 10mm with and 5mm thick.

Timeframe: The original print was forty five minutes, as this was intended as a ornament the revised version which was the earring was twenty five minutes which reflected in its reduced scale.

What we would do differently/Next Steps for the students: The student has already indicated that the design maybe refined slightly, the circles to represent the baubles in the middle of the tree are not refined enough and the student really wants to explore the use of metallic PLA so they don't have to use spray painting with the design.   Examples of how this has been used to produce finished work can be shown here.

3D Printed: Pencil Sharpener Holder Challenge

 

Challenge: To produce an original 3D Printed design that would be suitable to hold a pencil sharpener.  Student is restricted to create an original design from scratch and not use an existing or pre-made print.

Background: We have attempted variations of this challenge before, where the students have been tasked with taking an object and building it into a 3D Print.  You can see examples of this here on our blog.

You can also see a version of this design which incorporates a VR/AR version and one that has various filters applied.

This design came out of the process while this student is a student from the junior school this student has proven consistently to be someone who has grasped the concepts and ideas of 3D Printing and 3D Printed designs utilising a variety of techniques and excelled with her ability.

The scale of this print is larger than some of the smaller concept ideas of this version are smaller than a students finger.

The 'Dog' themed design was an original for the student.

Level of Difficulty: High - there are a number of component pieces that need to work in order for this print to be considered a success.  The legs need to balance, the tail needs to be feasible and the facial features of the dog are particularly important.  While importing many of these aspects would have been possible such as previous examples here, in this example we wanted the student to design them for herself to ensure that they were unique and she pushed herself with the design concept and idea.

Size: The print measures 140mm in length, was 50mm wide for the majority of the base and 80mm wide with the ears.   The design was 40mm high for most of it.  While the dimensions of this print is rather large it was intended to be this way.

Timeframe: This print took four and half hours.  Given the dimensions that were expressed above there was little that we would do to reduce or increase this time.  There was limited 'rafting' that took place at the base of the design.

What we would do differently/next steps for the student:

The student is happy with the overall design, aspects like the tail but she felt that the details in the face, which is conceivably the hardest to reliably create, she has stated that she wants to develop this particular aspect of the design further to make sure that it reflected a design that she was happy with.    Once this first print was created she felt she could have included additional details into the print to ensure that it would hold extra material such as a USB stick or a pencil.  Usually students are content with their prints, this is an example when a student wants to spend time and care to create a print that she is happy with. 

3D Printed Junior Christmas Projects Summary

 

Two copies of a basic Snowman design, created by a Y3 student.   Features oversized and exaggerated features and large loop in the head for attaching to a tree.  

This design was completed independently by a student in their first year of TInkercad designing using the main interface, selecting a predetermined snowman and then manipulating the design to add the features.

A small thirty minute design and print which was 40mm high.  Printed in metallic (shown left) and marble PLA (shown right).

Left another snowman - this was created again from the main Tinkercad interface.  The student used the top hat to add a whimsical feature to it.   The student also wanted to include an 'M' for their name on the base of it as well (which can be seen in profile).

This design was completed independently by a student who is also Y3 however has shown an aptitude to create and design using Tinkercad.  They were able to brainstorm the idea come up with the design, complete it all and submit it for printing in under thirty minutes.  

The print was completed in forty five minutes and is 50mm high to the top of the hat.   

The print shows an example of what can be created using a rainbow or metallic PLA which created the stripes that can be seen.   As we have noted on this blog we have opted not to spray paint the design further with any of these designs.

"Elf on the Shelf" original design.   This student was inspired with and then worked in conjunction with the student who was working on the Christmas Angel.   The student has used a series of original objects and designs that are available from the main Tinkercad interface.   By manipulating and altering and adjusting the basic shapes that are available an "Elf' was developed.

While the ring was inserted to allow the design to be hung from a tree it also had a base created that allowed the design to stand and be placed in a variety of locations.  The student wants to focus on an issue of redesign, related to the face of the creation as the definition the student considered not completed.

The design was completed using the metallic PLA print took two and a half hours to print and was 70mm high with a 40mm base/wide.   Other than the facial issues as noted the student is not intending to redesign this print.

3D Printed Christmas Projects: Overview 2015-24

 

This slideshow is a summation of various projects that have featured on this blog over the past ten years. We will be adding to this slideshow over the next few days featuring a number of other posts.

3D Printed Christmas Trees: Mini Class Project Juniors

Challenge: For every student in the classroom to create a unique Christmas tree for the classroom, where everyone in the classroom of twenty six Year Three and Year Four.

Background: While we have already completed a series of prints from this sequence - as detailed on this blog including Christmas ornaments, Christmas Angels, Snowman and large scale trees.

The next step was something that we have been asked about in the past, how can we produce a series of prints realistically for a class of students, when you are running one printer.   Essentially we are running just the one - at this school we are so lucky to have three main printers that are available for use - one of the awesome things this year has been having new staff members to school who have also got on board with 3D Printing projects and this also has meant that the printing project time has to be managed carefully.

Early this year we completed a series of prints based around the students creating earrings - this worked extremely well as the print time typically was under half an hour per project, and for a classroom of students was achievable.

We have detailed in the past some of the aspects related to Tinkercad and in particular the main interface.  In the example shown left are some of the pre-created shapes that can be imported easily into the students design screen.   Once the shape has been imported the students are able to add additional shapes, as has been shown in previous designs such as the star, and the bobbles for the tree.

This potentially is something that could be completed by the younger juniors - our classroom is going to put these designs to students from our Y1 classroom, as we would rate this as an 'easy' for them to complete with the assistance of our older students (again as noted in the past we have a classroom of seven and eight year olds).

Level of Difficulty: Easy.   This is something that we are going to work on with our classroom of juniors working with a classroom of Y1 students on a peer basis - these students have never used Tinkecad before, and we are confident given the scaffolding and work from the students in our classroom that it will be successful.   We want to very much involve our students in using the AR/VR option for iPads to check for potential printing errors and design flaws.

Size: We targeted this print with the intention of making it small, to make sure printing is feasible in the case of completing it for my classroom and also with a number of other students.   The examples shown left is 40mm high and 20mm wide at the tree portion of the print and the trunk measures 10mm across and a further 20mm high).    It has been suggested that this would also make a pair of novelty earrings.   

Timeframe: One hour for the example shown left.  This is ideal for the print and we would likely redirect students who would create something larger than this.   This creates a print that is unique and would be suitable for hanging from a tree.  Again we wanted to allow for the creation that could be realistically produced for a class set before the end of the term.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students:

This option has proven already to be successful task for the classroom which a number of students have completed.   The size and timeframe were realistic, and the skills required are something that our students have proven that they have developed using Tinkercad during the year.

3D Printed Exemplar Junior: Christmas Decorations

 

Challenge: To produce a unique and creative Christmas decoration that would be suitable to hang from a tree.

Background: As per the previous descriptions of the project at the moment, the challenge for the students is to create something that could be considered festive.

Ultimately this design has been part of a range of activities that have come from the junior classroom since the start of term four.   Previously there has been an angel, a range of Christmas trees, the Christmas Angel to top the tree.

One of the aspects of the design that has worked well is it has allowed students to use the design template and by using repetition and basic shapes, combined in this case again with the 'shimmer' PLA (which does not require spray painting).

This student is a Y3 student who is a seven year old who has been designing and creating using the 3D Printer for the first time this year.   The design shown above left is deceptively simple - it consists of one main ring design which is placed on a block which then links with the chain as shown.   

Once again we opted for the shimmer PLA which meant that we would not be required to spray paint the print once that it was completed.

Level of Difficulty: Low - this is deceptively simple involving three different shapes or items with one repeatedly significantly to create the affect.   The screenshot in the bottom left hand corner shows some of the shapes that are available from the main interface.

Size: The design is 90mm high and 80mm wide at the main points of the design.   The image shown in the photograph is of course upside down as the top of the design is where it will be attached to the tree.

Timeframe: Two and a half hours.    The dimensions of the print were created to ensure that this is a significant print that would stand out when on display.  It was also considered that a version of this print could also make an interesting pair of earrings, but not with the size of this print.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: The student could potentially look at a more organic design (although in this case it is taking pride of place at the Christmas Tree).    A earring version of this print is possible but would need to be reduced in size.

3D Printed Christmas Tree: Junior School Exemplar

 

Challenge: To produce a unique, original Christmas decoration, suitable for display or a tree.

Background:   Its a current classroom challenge, involving our Y3 and Y4 students with a design brief to create something unique for Christmas.  The students are using Tinkercad in their student classroom accounts.   Previous designs in this series have included the Christmas Angel as posted on this blog.

This students is a Y4 student who has been using Tinkercad for a relative short time, since half way through the year.   The design was completed in a short space of time using the main interface.   The details were added to the tree.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - the main interface was used and manipulated and the design that as created was done so quickly and creatively by the student involved.   The timeframe for this original design was under five minutes from the start to the completion.   There was no teacher input.

Size: The tree measured 80mm high and was 70mm wide at the base of the tree, narrowing as it reached the top.   The star was added to the design to signify the tree and also had an insert to allow it to be attached to the tree.

Timeframe: On the basic default settings for the print the time was two and a half hours.  The student wanted this to be successful and an eye catching design as it was.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: The star at the top of the tree had a narrow point of contact, which needed the teacher to remove the gap, ideally if it had been structured differently the student would have been able to pop it out himself.   The trunk/base of the tree as you can see from the design shown in the photograph is not centre, the student wanted to shift its position.   Finally the student wanted to print it out using the filament that had the shimmer affect.

Finally as per usual with a design like this there is opportunity for it to run through a range of filters to alter its design and display.  We have been doing this in both the original Tinkercad design, but also using additional web based programs such as Pixton and iPad Apps such as Pic Collage.

3D Printed Christmas Angel Junior Exemplar

 

Challenge: To create a unique Christmas Decoration.

Background:  The current classroom challenge is for the students to design a Christmas themed decoration.   While it is early this year we finish school in early December and we are looking for the students to refine, rework and improve their designs and have them completed, printed and ready for display for Christmas this year.

The classroom at our school that is completing this task is a junior room, the students are Y3/4.   The students have either one classroom years experience using Tinkercad to design various items and projects.  This design has been created by the student independently.   The brief was make something amazing, creative and unique.  

The student wanted to use the wings (which can be seen clearly in both the final print left, and the original design as put through a filter from its Tinkercad creations.) and wanted to then design the rest of the print from scratch.  The student has shown creativity and inventiveness using the different aspects of the main Tinkercad interface.   Some other previous examples of this students work can be seen here.

We again opted for the shimmering design provided by the PLA that is described as rainbow or sheen.

Level of Difficulty: High.  This design was creative and inventive and the elements of it needed to balance together, with a import of the wings.    This student was able to do that and produce a stunning design.   The student is eight years old.   This was rate as one of the most effective Christmas Designs/decorations that we have produced.

Size: The wings of the design measured 70mm across the back.  The design was 90mm high and was 50mm wide at the base.   The idea was to use shapes to create a cartoon affect with the design.

Timeframe: Three and a half hours.   The dimensions and the size of the print were keeping in mind with the intention of the project.   The angel is going to be placed on a tree.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: One of the aspects of the print that needs to be addressed is the connection with the head of the design and the shoulders.  By using a cone to create the body the point at which it joins the head was quite narrow and needs to be addressed.  While it did not mean that the print broke it was obvious that this needed to be very carefully handled.  The student is attempting to remedy this by redesigning the 

3D Priting: Christmas Decorations 2024

 

Challenge: For a junior student to design, create and print a unique Christmas decoration that could hang from a tree.

Background: This is the latest classroom challenge for my junior class of students.  The students brief was to have something that was original, had a aspect of personalisation and was able to be realistically hung from a tree.

The first example shown left was produced by a Y3 student (a seven year old) in under five minutes.   The student took a design element from the Tinkercad main interface page (the snowflake) and then applied their name on the bar linking the snowflake and the ring.  All of these three features were available from the basic design template and the student was familiar with using them to create something.   They were able to submit this to their individual student Tinkercad account.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - the student created something using three basic interface tools to create the design, then link them all together and group them.   This student while new to 3D Printing this year has now spent nearly twelve months in the classroom using Tinkercad to design this.

Size: The print was 140mm long.   The snowflake measured 60mm across, the name bridge aspect of the print was 10mm wide and the design was 10mm thick at the snowflake and the lettering for the name was 15mm high.  The student is going to look at these dimensions moving forward.

Timeframe: Two hours - this was something that would be improved (ie shortened) by refining the design to ensure that it was all consistent with the size.  Although the link bridge with this design is narrow it is something that is intended to be hung from a tree for display and not something that needs to be robust to be handled.

What we would do differently/Next steps for teh students: As noted the design is currently a little uneven in places - the design could be improved that way.   The name of the designer could potentially have each of its letters flipped so that it could be read down the spine of the linking pin.   

The design was printed using 'sheen' PLA which we are continuing to experiment with, so was not spray painted.  You can read additional Christmas designs from previous students by clicking on the link here.

3D Printing Term Four in New Zealand

 

In New Zealand the final school term of the year has started, with a finish time of early December for most schools.  At our school we are starting to wind up the year with various projects.

One of the lessons that we have learned over the year, particularly when looking to have a class set of anything completed, when we are running on a school set of printers, is to start early.   Hence we have started looking at Christmas themed decorations again and focussing on smaller designs that can be mass produced easily by the printers at school.

Firstly we have tasked the students with looking at a typical decoration that might hang from a Christmas Tree.   The criteria for this is something that the students might design, have some level of personalisation on it and have elements that the students have created.   We have inserted this requirement because some of the students using Tinkercad were aware that they would be able to use a design tool like the search bar and locate an element like the snowflake shown below.   

This by itself can be printed directly, but the student in this case has opted to introduce their name to a bar and link that with a ring to allow the design to easily be hung from a tree.

We are also looking at creating labels such as the one shown in the photograph above.  In this example the student has taken their name, used a basic text design and added a linking ring.  This student was a Y3 who is using Tinkercad for the first time and was able to do this independently.   They add to add some blocks into the design to ensure that everything was linked (in the example between the capital A and the o you can see it in the bottom right hand corner of the A.

These labels are 60mm by 25mm and 10mm thick and currently taking just over 45 minutes to print.   We are currently using a 'marble' filament which has produced the affect shown.

There are many, many examples of Christmas Decorations from the last few years on this site, you can locate them by using the search bar icon or clicking on this summary post.   We also have examples of the labelling

Sensory Fidget Stars - Unpacking the Design

 

Designs shown left include a 3D Printed design, made on one of our schools Snapmaker machines.   The second toy, shown on the right is a commercial available from a stationary supplier company.

While the two objects are identical we have seen the larger 3D Printed star start to appear as a fidget toy which is available online from online retailers.  We have seen considerable variation in the price - some price points have the object on sale for $16.00 (NZD).  

We were able to locate the plans, the .stl code for this print from Thingiverse and found the code freely available.    This then allowed the students to print the design.  As a fractal star as shown, the design was printed as a single piece with no waste PLA that is created as a result of completing print.

We have posted about this topic in the past and identified that we are looking for students to be able to understand the design process, understand the making an production process (such as working out exactly a price point for an object like this) and look to encourage and inspire students to create their own projects an items such as this.   Realistically they would also be something we could produce as a fundraiser for our school or for a potential school market day or event.

3D Printing Interrupted

 

This issue relates to the use of the Snapmaker 3D Printers that we currently use.  We are very fortunate that we have three that we are running at our school, which are being run virtually non-stop.   We started using these machines in 2022 after many years of using Ultimaker Machines.

One of the aspects of the machines that are particularly pleasing is that there is an ability from the machines to stop the print at mid point, and then restart the print at the exact same point.

An example is shown left, this print which was considerable and featured a large figurine of Stitch from the Lilo and Stitch Disney Movie.

This print completed three quarters of the print prior to the PLA that was being used to print running out.   A second roll was then inserted into the machine and the print was restarted, at exactly the same point that the print had stopped.

During the process where the new roll (marble) look which is shown clearly left was used to complete the print.  No red was available, however hence the use of another colour, but the intention is to spray paint the entire design purple/blue to match the design of the character.

What actually occurred was that twice during the new roll of filament being used the roll fouled or became twisted when it was printing, in both instances the teacher then cut the PLA so that it continued to print, and when it reached the point when the PLA on the shorted roll was exhausted the print then stopped, and additional PLA was loaded.

Our experience prior to this with machines that were not as robust was that every instance of a power cut, a print stopping due to PLA running out etc would result in a blocking of the machine which at times would take someone coming and fixing the problem a considerable amount of time.

 

3D Printed Bookmark - Tinkercad Design Challenge

 

Tinkercad have a series of design challenges that are built into the main website.  These are suitable for students and we have started to use them as a challenge for students who are showing clear design ideas.

Some of the them revisit themes and examples that we are able to provide that have featured previously on this blog as a general challenge for students.  As there is a template button however the challenge and its design focus is something that is easily approachable and allows students to develop their design skills.

The current challenge, which closes tomorrow is a design challenge around producing a bookmark for use with reading.   Our students have designed various bookmarks previously and examples of which can be seen on this blog here or you can use the search function on the right hand side of this blog to look at a range of examples.

In this example shown left a student wanted to use the design features of Tinkercad to design a 'cat' themed bookmark.  The student concerned has shown a clear level of design ability during her time in the classroom and is now a Y4 student that is someone who is eight years old who has been designing and creating using Tinkercad for two years, many of the designs that she has been involved in have been featured on this blog.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - this design is deceptively simple for this student to create and while she was able to complete it in a very short timeframe, with the composition that she used, it is not something that every student could create.

Size: This was designed to book in conjunction with a regular bookmark.   There was the potential to complete a different dimension for the print, however it would have limited the viability to print a class set.   The print 

Timeframe: One hour, fifteen minutes.  The design included a degree of rafting that could have avoided if the back had been flat, instead of slightly raised however this would have affected the design, which would have meant that the head did not slide between the pages.

What we would do differently/next steps for students: This is a design that is one of a series.   By undertaking it the template, the lesson plan and the information the lesson could be supplied to students by a single click and they were then able to engage with the lesson and complete the task.  

Again we have a challenge and task which has required minimal input to allow us to complete a class based activity where the students have been able to design, create and then print.

Unpacking the Production Process - Spiral Toys

 

Recently at our school and amongst our students there has been a wave of interest created by students who have purchased toys that are labelled as 'fidget toys' or 'impossible shapes' or some similar variation.   

In each case they are some geometric shape which can be combined into a solid or which twists together to form some kind of visual illusion.

When the first of these appeared they came in the form of objects that were bought online, which the students brought into the classroom.   Much like the plethora of 3D Printed Dragons, which we have identified and then been able to replicate ourselves and then sell for our school market day, the first task in identifying and unpacking these objects was to locate them online in a way that we could identify how they were produced.

A reminder that this process is being undertaken by students in the classroom who are juniors at our school that is students aged seven and eight years old, most printing and designing for the first time.

For this we ventured to Thingiverse - where here we were able to identify the .stl code for the 'spiral code fidget toy'

This allowed us to duplicate the original purchased design, and although we did not have the exact PLA which matched with the base of the triangle the students then set about looking for it online so the school could order it through our suppliers.  This took four and a half hours to print on regular default settings.    There was of course no design from students as they were able to find the .stl and once it was imported into Tinkercad they were able to manipulate it and adjust the design.

This then led to a search on online selling sites for objects that were similar or designed in a similar way.  This led the students to discover the following designs from a place called Temu.

Obviously the spiral has already been identified and printed successfully, but there are clearly a range of other designs and shapes, which follow a similar format, that are now potentially available to students.

Our students are also experimenting with the 'rainbow' and 'sheen filaments' which will meant these designs will not require spray painting (and as the spray painting adds a layer to the print there is the question about whether or not this will make it slightly more difficult for the designs to come together).

The making process can be shown to the students, the price of the objects can also be discussed (as with most printers it is possible to determine exactly how much PLA is used in a print, the sphere uses 8.6m of PLA or 25.6g.    The spiral cone shown uses 13.4m or 39.9 grams of filament.   At current prices for our school a regular roll of PLA is $30.00 or $42.00 for the 'silk' version (which is how the metallic look is achieved).

By dividing the amount of PLA for a spiral cone into the roll of filament, we can determine that 25 spirals can be manufactured off a regular roll.   When we divide the cost of a regular roll of $30.00 we can determine a basic manufacturing cost of $1.20 per unit (although this assumes that the PLA is that price it can be obtained cheaper).    We have seen these priced for as high as $15.00 (excluding delivery).

Likewise with the 'silk' or 'rainbow' PLA (shown left) with a slightly higher price point the spirals can be produced for around $1.70 (again which has been priced online as high as $15.00).

For the smaller impossible spheres (as shown above) we can produce them at a price of seventy five cents on a regular roll of filament or just over a dollar each if involving 'silk'.

This has considerations for pricing if we wanted to sell them as part of a market day or at the office but also allows the students and children a window into the production process and setting a price for an item.

3D Printing: Projects Currently Operating

 

Print shown left: A thirty two hour significant print, this was a commercial designed and available version of the Britannic, sister ship of the Titanic.   We have a student at school who has a particular strong interest in this class of ship and wanted to do something special for him, to allow him to have more projects that would develop off it.   In this case it was locating a design of a ship in the series, and printing it.   The size really tested the limits of our Snapmaker Printer - it took thirty two hours to complete and during the process we were constantly checking to ensure there was no PLA issues and the print remained robust and the print worked.   While there were no design features that the students created with this we have already had significant and detailed discussions with the student about the boat, the painting scheme and what else we can add to the project.

While the integrity of the boat remained during printing there were some very subtle features that did not survive the removal of the rafting, chiefly a radio mast at the front of the print and a corresponding print at the back that would have been no more than 1mm across.   

We are continuing to experiment with our 'rainbow PLA' and range of others that have allowed us to print in a finished state without the students wanting to then spray paint the results, saving an additional step.

The examples shown left are student designed labels for multi-purpose items, the labels measure 60mm long and are 20mm wide as well as being 5mm thick.

The print time for these is thirty minutes.

Junior Classroom Challenge: Student Cubes

 

Challenge: Students were given a class wide challenge to take a 3D Object, which was a dice shape and then create six different shapes to this shape.  Students were instructed that the design aspects of the shape needed to be sunk into the design, not to have the details facing outwards.   This was a continuation of some of earlier classroom term design projects pencil sharpener holder, ear rings designs and a boat.

Background: This was a classroom challenge for the entire classroom.   The task was pushed out to the students for them to complete their design.    It was a short time frame for this design, but the emphasis was for students to design into the base of the shape - as typically the students add external details which can be effective, but by inverting the process it develops the students design abilities in this area.

We allowed the students the ability to create an individual project with a different size depending on what the students wanted to work with.    A range of the designs and shapes can be shown on the left.  In the series of prints students typically used the various shapes that were available and easily inserted from the main Tinkercad interface.  

Level of Difficulty: Easy for the students who have used Tinkercad for nearly a calendar year

Size: The smallest of the three shapes shown left is 20mm by 20mm.   The larger red shape was 35mm by 35mm.   The largest gold shape was 50mm wide and was 60mm long, it was 50mm high.   These designs were all 

Timeframe: The smallest of the shapes took under twenty minutes, the middle shape took ninety minutes and the largest of the shapes took four hours.   In retrospect for this design the smallest shape would have worked perfectly for this project and given that the intention is to transfer the skill of the designing into the base of the shape.

What we would do differently next steps for the students: We would like to see the students transferring this ability to other designs such as the badge or name plate.   This has proven to be a simple design task that was easily printed in a time frame that would mean it potentially could be a successful classroom project.

3D Printed Boats (Exemplar) Oars

Challenge: For a students to create a unique design for a boat.

Background: One of our classroom challenges for our students this term has been to design, create and then print a boat.   These have featured in combination with our Tinkercad/Pixton/Pic Collage combinations and we have started the process of printing selected boat designs - one that look correct.

The idea ultimately is for the students to design a boat that is feasible, that can be powered and have a Sphero Robot controlled in the boat to turn the oars.   There are a number of elements that need to work in conjunction with this.   Due to the time constraints and the feasibility of printing so many large designs we are selecting only certain students who designs show the most potential to go through the printing process.   We are AR/VR/Photo Filtering each of the designs, and intending to print multiple paddles and oars and printing a number of the accessories.  A detailed catamaran has already come out of this project.

The student concerned with creating and overseeing this project is a Y4 junior school student, that is a student who has just turned eight.  She has been designing in Tinkercad since the start of the year.

The inspiration for the boat came from the students use of technology to find what was likely to work.  When she applied her ideas to her design she also investigated the use of oars and paddles on a boat to ensure that the mechanism would be potentially powering the boat forward.

The hull design was used from the main Tinkercad interface.  She added bars on the boat for stability and then included robust rings for the potential of up to four oars or a double bar to have a paddle moving.   Again she used actual examples of these to increase the likelihood of success.  

Level of Difficulty: Overall this is a challenging project, although this mainly coming in the form of ensuring that the boat is powered successfully.   The boat itself is a medium level project - the ability of the 3D Print to float is something that we have recognised in several projects featured on this blog from a standard bath toy to a more complicated boat design.

Size: The boat measures 150mm long and is 90mm wide.  It is 30mm high.   These dimensions are perfect for a working boat, however there is a small issue with this size, which came as a result of testing.

The first major test that the boat passed with flying colours was the ability to float.  This was completed easily with the boat showing no intake of water what-so-ever despite an extended time in the water.  

The boat balanced perfectly and was quite happy inside its container.  This was in contrast to the initial designs of the catamaran that listed due to small holes underneath the hull where it joined.

The challenge came when the Sphero Robot was placed on top of the design.  As soon as this was done the boat sank, due to the weight of the robot.

The student brainstormed potential solutions for this but found the issue very challenging.   The teacher has assisted and has directed the students to look for additional ways to power the boat, and we are currently investigating some of the options with Strawbee Robots.  There are some simple robotic movements that could potentially complete a rowing type motion, the weight of which would certainly not cause the collapse of the boat by excessive weight.

Timeframe: Five hours to print on the regular (default) settings.  If the intention is to move forward with a Sphero boat this would need to big significantly increased.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: This is an ongoing project that the students is developing, working on and improving.  The key ongoing issue is resolving the powering of the boat - it floats at present without any effort but some form of power to move it, perhaps even a sail would finish the project nicely.