3D Printed Junior Challenge: Movement

Challenge: Students had to design a print that was practical (had a size limit of 100mm) and for success criteria had to have movement.
 

Background: This was given as a an open challenge to the students.  We used several examples of interlocking designs that are available online and gave the key criteria that the students designs had to have a moveable part.   The cogs that are shown in the design were sourced from the Tinkercad main interface.  When your students are on the design page there is a drop down search category of a range of items in the shapes library.   There is a range of items that you can bring instantly into your students design -  that are classed as 'hardware'.'   In this instance we wanted to allow the students to focus on the engineering challenge rather than the design.

If we had more time available potentially we could have had the students use a range of tools to develop these shapes as well as the backing and the other details, however our afternoon block where we allocate time in the classroom tends to be forty minutes or so, so our time is limited and this was produced as a prototype on the first attempt.

We found various online fidgets and wanted to look at ways to recreate this.   The print that was undertaken by the student was a first attempt - we felt that there was a large number of factors that needed to be addressed but the best way to do this was a physical version of the print.

Resources used to complete this print: iPad, Tinkercad App, Tinkercad Interface Design: hardware 'cog', Bambu H2D, Silver PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Low - the challenge in this task is based on the engineering of the task.  The design and creation is going to be for the housing for the shape itself and it is anticipated that the student might adapt this design when moving forward.

Size: The print measures at present measures 95mm across at the front and is 105mm high.   The width of the print is currently 10mm.   At present the design features the three cogs however this is going to be adapted depending on the motion that can be achieved with it.

Cost/Price: The print as it stands (shown left in the photograph) uses 15g of PLA to complete the project.  This has a price point of $0.30c.

Timeframe: To complete the print the project took a total time of 45minutes.  There was no rafting or support required for this print.   It was printed as shown.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: This print will require refining - the cogs at the moment in the design are somewhat loose.  They require some additional support or design to hold them in place or allow them to move with motion to complete the success criteria that was assigned to the students.

The student has also considered that it might be extremely effective to complete this print using different coloured PLA as that would have a striking overall affect with the design.