3D Printed Cyclops Eye Detailed Version

 

Challenge: To create a design that integrated the use of craft 'eyes' and 3D Printing.

Background:  This print was originally  part of the cyclops 2026 print series - although it is going to be revised following the school holidays.  The very first use of the eyes took place in November 2025.

The student wanted to create a design with multiple eyes with various shapes and additions to create something that had a varied texture.

All of this design was created by a eight year old student who is part of the second cohort of classroom students.   They used their iPad and the Tinkercad app to complete the design independently using Tinkercad for the design.   The teacher then converted the .stl file into Bambu studio to complete the printing of the project.

With the design the student used the Tinkercad Apps AR/VR feature to test the design virtually.  They used the 'motion' feature to ensure that the design was solid and then removed any additional spikes that were not fully attached.

The design was projected to a range of locations inside and outside of the classroom and the students placed it in locations where potentially it could be placed.   We also stressed for the student the importance of the purpose of the design and where it was viable or not.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - there are a lot of elements that are going on for the student here and they have combined but also require some revision.

Size: The design was 90mm high and was 80mm wide.   Elements like the spikes extended 20mm from the base and the holes where the eyes were placed tended to be sunk 20mm into the base of the design.

Cost/Price: The print used 112g of PLA to complete and had a price point according to Bambu Studio Labs of $2.82.

Timeframe: The print took three and a half hours to complete on the regular settings for the Bambu H2D.

Next steps for the students/What would we do differently: The students design could benefit from further refinement.  The eyes are sunken in significantly with the design and therefore they are not obviously visible.   The print was completed in glow-in-the-dark filament - although this was perhaps something to be reconsidered if it was to repeated again.   The base of the design is a little uneven because of the weight of it and therefore it would be adjusted slightly in future prints.