Challenge: For a student, who is nine years old to create, design and then execute the creation of a 3D Print,
suitable to be hung from a Christmas tree.Background: As described previously while it is just turned November in New Zealand we have started the process of identifying and creating a range of designs themed around 'Christmas' or festive celebrations.
Our first starting point was our range of virtual Christmas Trees which can be viewed here.
This design, shown left was created as a first example which we wanted to print so that we could show a physical copy to other students to create their own designs. The focus is on producing a design - this is not particularly challenging for a student to create, as the similarities between the design and some of the students work on badges and key rings.
As noted we have students who have been using Tinkercad and their iPad this year.
Resources to Complete this Project: Tinkercad App, iPad, Bambu PLA (Cotton) and Bambu H2D.
Size: The print measures
75mm across and is 85mm high. It has a width of 5mm. The design in its virtual form (shown left) had the student use the colour matching on the design as can be seen. When printing the design as a single colour some of the detail was lost however the student is investigating the use of the
Bambu H2D which has four nozzles and the option of having multiple colours combined into one print.
Cost/Price: The print as it stands that the moment and has 18g of PLA. This has a price point of $0.34c for a regular PLA print - we have also considered using glow-in-the-dark for this sort of project in the past, it is simply a matter of using the different PLA for the same object result.
Timeframe: To complete the print the printer was operating for a total of
thirty four minutes, a six minute machine warm up time and
twenty eight minutes of actual printing time.
What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: The print has the phrase HoHoHo at the bottom of the design, but in this case the phrase could perhaps have included his punctuation and spacing to improve its presentation. As noted previously the intention is to investigate the use of a multi-nozzle colour printing for the lettering or the baubles to enhance the decoration. The print could also be spray painted to enhance its presentation.
You can see a summary of a range of prints and designed going back nearly ten years by clicking on the search bar on the top right hand corner of the blog and use the keyword "Christmas'.
