3D Printed Designs: Cat 'Upgrade'

Challenge: To produce an 'advanced' version of a 3D Print with a cat theme.

Background: We have detailed on this blog the literacy theme based around 'cats' for the week in the classroom.  As a consequence for the CAD design tie in with this writing we asked the students to create a cat theme Tinkercad design.    

While there are a range of prints and designs available not only on the main Tinkercad site but also on design sites with public domain and donation sites such as thingiverse.   We used a range of these as examples for our students and had a discussion with our students about these designs and how they could adapt them - with the emphasis based on personalisation and innovation.    This is the major theme of our School Market Day which is being held later in the year.

The first step was the original cat design - this featured the students using their design skills.  We printed a small number of these cats initially as physical examples in addition to that we used the Tinkercad AR/VR function using the students iPad.  This has allowed the entire class to produce a range of potential 3D Prints along this theme without necessarily printing the entire range of designs.

The next challenge for students was to take on a more advanced design challenge - again maintaining a theme of 'cats'.

One of the particular insistence with the design was to ensure that the student had a purpose for this design and was able to adapt it to show it had a purpose.

In the example shown left the storage which was introduced into the design to ensure that it met a purpose.

Size: The design measures 80mm across was 80mm high and the base of the design is 60mm wide.   The whiskers that were featured on this design were created with the intention of being cosmetic rather than accurate.   The balance of the design and the size from the students meant the dimensions with this creation meant that it served the purpose.

Timeframe: Four and a half hours to print the design.   There was no 'rafting' involved with this print it was printed as it is shown (except between the whiskers which was minimal).   This was on our regular default setting with the twenty percent infill inside the print.   Given the dimensions of the print and its purpose it was reflected in the project.

What we would do differently/Next Step for the Students: The student could have inserted some more personalisation to the print, with either their name or initials located on the print and they also have space for this on the back of the design.   The student is looking into the possibilities however they are very pleased with the project as it stands.