3D Printed: Junior Challenge - Tank

 

Challenge: Based on an idea from a student earlier in the month can students use Tinkercad and its interface to create a realistic tank.   

Background: We are always looking for ideas for students to develop, that could be unique to our students and use Tinkercad.  In this case the idea came from one of our students designing for the first time.   The original prototype gained the attention of the students in the classroom, who thought that the idea was creative and interesting.   Some students discussed how we might be able to make it more realistic and also considered some basic articulation - the turning of the turret is something that a number of students have already considered and have considered how they might be able to produce it.

The main shapes have all come as basic geometric ones, the challenge will now be, with a range of designs coming for the students to share their development to determine and encourage each other.

Size: The model that is shown above (the first version) was 90mm across and 90mm long at the tracks.   The design was only 20mm high.  The new version shown left has a base that is 60mm wide, and is 80mm long, with a barrel that extends a further 60mm from the top of the base.   The exaggerated tyres also need adjusting.

Timeframe: The initial print took one and a half hours, the second more detailed version (shown above) took three and a half hours to print, on the regular default settings using the Snapmaker 3.5.

As shown left the student who had been working on developing his 'cuts' for name design choose to have his name featured on the base of the tank at the back.

The student as mentioned is now going to redefine, redevelop and adapt this design.   There has been a number of designs on this blog that have featured students placing incredible details into their design by using the main interface, such as. the Christmas sleigh which was built in 2018.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: The students are currently making their way through the design phase, they are looking to refine their ideas and see if they can adapt it to meet a copy of an existing military tank.