3D Printed Minecraft Chicken

Challenge: For a student to create a unique original adapted Minecraft themed design with a purpose.

Background: Previously we've adapted versions of this task with various groups of students from Y3 onwards.  In this specific example the student working on the project is eight years old. It was a Minecraft Chicken.    

This print and project was completed by two students using their iPads and the Tinkercad App.  Minecraft Education was also used for the inspiration where they located the animal as a model to recreate.

 This term in New Zealand is about to end, so as part of the finishing off activities we've been working on a number of projects for the students as we complete other work as an incentive.   In this case this design was created by two students working together who then conducted AR/VR testing by taking the design and projecting it in the classroom and outside.   

There are some design issues with this project - and perhaps in hindsight they could have been addressed prior to printing, however on the balance of the design the decision was made to progress with the printing as it is anticipated that the students are going to add additional features to this print.

The design of this took two students working in conjunction with each other one thirty minute session.  There was no teacher input, it was completed independently by two eight year old students.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - the student task was helped by the clear design link between Minecraft and Tinkercad, as both have a core base of shapes that are used to create design, and while the colour palette does not match perfectly the students are attempting to resolve this.  There is a lot of specific details that the students needed to resolve - such as building such a large object and what the feet needed to be like and how they needed to be spread to make sure they supported the design with balance to ensure that it stands without any tipping, as demonstrated below.

Size: This is substantial print as it was designed to be able to house a number of items of stationary.   The main base of the Minecraft Chicken is 120mm long 110mm wide and is 60mm tall.   The centre storage hole has a diameter of 60mm and a depth of 50mm.   The head is 40mm by 60mm and is 70mm high.   The hole for storage is 50mm long and is 70mm deep.   The legs balancing the print are 60mm by 70mm and 40mm from the base of the design.

Cost/Price: This was a significant print - the #bambulab studios calculation is that the print used 256g of PLA to print the project and this included rafting to support the print as it was printing.   This had a price point of  $6.40.

Timeframe: This took seven hours and twenty minutes to complete on the Bambu H2D.  We would not have completed this on a slower machine as the timeframe and the detailed print would not have been present.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students:   Its not obvious when viewing the print from above or the side but one of the feet should have had a bit more attention, as shown left.  It is functional but there is a distinct difference between the two designs.

The colour of the PLA was the most relevant one for the printer at the moment, the students obviously want the design white and yellow as its a chicken for Minecraft. One of the eyes could require some additional finishing.  During the print process one of the wings did not remain as it was attached but not to a level that would allow the design to be handled as one would expect.  The students are going to reprint this single piece and then use a hard glue to attach it to the design, perhaps looking at adding some texture or layers to the design.

This is both students first independent large scale project and they should be able to more forward with a range of designs in the future using the practical experience from this task as a guide.