3D Printing Student Project:: 2014 Revised Edition

 

Over four thousand days ago, in 2015 one of the very first prints or project details on this blog featured this print, which is shown left.   While the print was shared in January 2015 the actual project dates back to the following year - 2014.

The print was designed in 2014 using an iPad 2 and Tinkercad, as part of a senior school student (twelve and thirteen) year olds design portfolio.  At the time students were required to create a range of prints, note the creation process and detail improvements and changes that were made.  

This print formed part of the students digital design portfolio and original student portfolio is shown below.   The prints in the process were completed with the 3D Printers that we had at the time which were the original Ultimaker 2 Machine.    This print at the time was also printed using a basic white PLA that also glowed in the dark.

When the project was completed the student was given a copy of all of their work and additional copy was kept.  This copy was then placed outside where it has been for the past ten years.    It was recently located, identified and examined.   It has been in an exposed position with no protection for the past ten years.

The front of the print has sustained no additional damage as two marks occurred during printing.  There is some evidence of mould growth although there is no actual obvious signs of any wear or damage to the main print, it is more or less as it was when it was produced ten years ago.

The reverse of the print shows more clearly evidence of growth inside the print.  This has occurred as a result of the clips at the top of the print, they were used to attach the print to the wall - as it was a holder for a whiteboard duster.

When these were removed following the printing process (in 2014)  it created three small gaps at the top of the design.   Prints are almost always run using a default twenty percent infill.   This allowed water to enter the print at the top which then would have created the conditions for the growth of mould.  As the print has been outside, exposed to the elements it has spent ten winters outside in New Zealand and would have spent an extended time wet.

The print was printed using glow-in-the-dark filament and when testing was conducted it is still glowing as expected.   

Overall the print has maintained its structure and its integrity, with some small evidence of weathering but is essentially still able to function as was intended.

We are now going to spend some time drying the print out to see if the change in circumstances contributes to an improvement in its condition.

This continues the trend that we have established of demonstrating that 3D Prints can last an extremely long length of time whether they are numbers on display on a wall at school or a keyring that is used by students everyday.