Developing Junior Linking: 3D Prints

 

We have detailed previously how the students of our school have developed a number of engineering skills related to their use of Tinkercad for CAD design and creation. A key engineering concept of use for the 3D Printing is some form of linking.   Our students have just started the journey - where they are experimenting with using a ball and socket design with their creations.   The first attempts are shown in the top left of this post.   While this may appear to have been successful the attempt to do so needs work.

The ball and socket combination requires the width to be able to manipulate the different sections and robust enough to be moved out of position and back into position again.

The student who has worked on this design has now started conferencing with the student who was responsible for the linking from the Market Day 2026 work.    This student while no longer in the classroom has the skill and the ability to help tutor the student to complete the process.

The linking example shown above as a first prototype measures 170mm long is 20mm high and currently 5mm thick/wide.   The print used 9g of PLA to complete the project and had a price point of $0.22c.