3D Printed Novelty Stationary Holder

Challenge: To produce a unique item for stationary

Background: This design was completed independently by an eight year old student who is part of cohort one.   The student was able to work independently to complete the project and presented it to the teacher for printing.

The central figure of the design is the elephant.  This figure has appeared in posts on this blog before - notably in 2024.  It is available from the main Tinkercad interface search bar.  While this is an original design (in that the student didn't see the 2024 version) when the two are compared there are clear similarities between the print.

In this design the student worked with the elephant shape and then started to look for additional features that they could add.  They made the decision to modify the design in a number of ways.

Firstly they added the top hat to the head of the elephant (again this has been used before in various projects as the hat or top hat is easily located and work with a variety of prints0.   Secondly they wanted to modify the print by creating something additional with the feet.  In this instance they decided to add flippers from a wetsuit.

Finally at the back of the design the student opted to insert a hole, to shift the purpose of the design to storage.

Once this has been completed the student took their iPad accessed the Tinkercad App and then started the (simple) process of AR/VR the design in a number of locations around the school as shown in the photo.  This allowed the print to be checked for any obvious flaws prior to the printing process.

Resources to complete this project: Tinkercad, Tinkercad App, iPad, PLA, Bambu H2D,.

Level of Difficulty: Low/Medium.  The student didn't design this print they modified an existing print and added to it and put their own spin on it.  The print was still viable however the basis for the design came from the Tinkecad interface.

Size  The print as it stands measures 120mm across and is 80mm wide.  The print was 80mm high.  As it stands these dimensions work fine but additional storage requirements would need to an upscale in the model.

Cost/Price:   The print completed used 73g of PLA plastic to complete the print.  This has a price point of $1.72 using a regular PLA to complete the print.  

Timeframe: This print two hours and fifty minutes to complete on the regular default settings.  This print although larger in 2024 took twenty hours with dimensions of 150mm and 100mm which is a reflection of the improving of the printers in the meantime.   The 2024 version also had a considerable amount of rafting under the legs and body in particular.  In 2026 this was minimal as the printer didn't print any under the legs or the body of the elephant but instead printed from the base up.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: The student has indicated that they want to look at the spray painting possibilities for the design.  Reshaping and remaking the design would lead to a revision in its dimensions.