3D Printed Gift Ideas (Beginner)

Above: Desk stand gift for parent.

Challenge: Student wanted to produce original gift to give to two members of her family.
Background: These designs were created by the student in her first attemps at 3D Printing, without input from others.  The student had been part of the class producing 'Christmas' themed decorations last year however this was the first opportunity for her to print individualised projects.
Level of Difficulty: Low - these designs were created with basic default settings from Tinkercad, and required a basic design.

Above: 'Alyssa' star gift with rafting clearly visible on gem (top).

Size: The 'rural fire' desk stand was a block design that had a depth of 2cm, a length of 10cm and a height of 8cm.   The 'Alyssa' star design was 15cm across, with a depth of 1cm.
Timeframe: Combined eight hours for both projects.  Both were printed as a 'fast print'.
Issues: 'Alyssa' star design lifted on the base and had to be superglued, this was an issue related to the filament, not the design.  Both designs were basic but produced the required result.
Process: Tinkercad with the design all created from the basic interface.  Converted to Cura for printing on the Ultimaker 2+.  What we would do differently: This task has been detailed before, or variations of it.  It has proven suitable as an introductory print that could be easily designed, printed successfully by the student who was extremely pleased with the results.

3D Printed iPad Stand

Challenge: Once the name plates were completed the students were encouraged to come up with an original design that served a practical purpose, something that they could use.  They were give

As shown from above the completed print

n free reign to come up with any design however the printing of designs was dependant on a filtering process.  Students worked on design in thier own time.
Background: This was a progression from the 'name plate' as mentioned above.  The student wanted to create a stand to hold his iPad in the classroom so it would stand up.
Level of Difficulty: Low-Medium - this task was dependant on the student creating a stand that would would and needed preparation and measurement to ensure that it worked successfully.
Issues: None - this print worked perfectly, however on discussions there were ideas to personalise it (including the students name as a plate on the front) and strengthen the back of it.   It is robust but including a back rod or brace built into the design would allow pressure to be applied to it.  Student was thrilled with result and the project created a buzz with the creator and the other students in the classroom.

Above: The completed print in use

Size: As shown in the photographs a width of 80mm a height of 70mm and 60mm across.  These would probably be the minimum print sizes for the iPad holder to serve its purpose.
Timeframe: Six hours with an Ultimaker 2+ on regular print setting.
Process: The student has shown a desire and creativity to come up with ideas independently of teacher input.  By allowing a print run of an independent project the idea is to encourage the student (who is nine years old) to continue to think of practical applications and uses for the 3D Printer.  Tinkercad was used for the students design, and then the file was converted into Cura.   The print was then completed on an Ultimaker 2+.   (All prints on this site from this point forward unless otherwise mentioned will now follow this process as all machines at our school are now upgraded to Ultimaker 2+ with the newer version of the (free) Cura Software.  We are also using standard print settings and regular filament unless otherwise specified.  The student is already re-designing this print based on feedback given to include his name to personalise it and a brace that will sit at the back of the stand.

3D Printed Connectors

Above: connector with aluminum insert

Challenge: To create larger objects, using the 3D Printer to create connectors to go at the corners to ensure that the large structure could be build.  In this instance the ultimate goal is to produce a hydroponic set up for the students.
Background: The teachers and students were looking at additional design tasks to extend the students.  This project is a significant one, that is being drive by using the 3D printers to create connectors to allow the build to progress with aluminum pipes which has been custom cut for the project.
Task: Some of the old filament from the first 3D Printer (2014) was used along with additional prints.   The size and dimension of the aluminum piping determined the width and the size of the connection.  As the design was based around a large rectangle shape the connectors needed to have three links on each of them.

Level of Difficulty: Low - the connectors dimensions were determined by the aluminum piping and its dimensions so it was obvious what was required.  Various tests on the width and the fit of the connectors were made to ensure that there was a close fit, although its anticipated that the final version will require some form of permanent bonding.
Issues: None - although the ultimate success of the project will depend on the additional pieces this is the first time that custom made connectors for a project have been 3D printed.
Size: 4cm x 6cm x 4cm.  Dictated by the role of the connectors and the size of the aluminum piping used.
Timeframe: Multiple connectors were printed on the bed at each time to ensure as many as possible were produced, resulting in an overnight print (which would mean individual pieces would be produced in a four hour print).
Process: The students used Tinkercad to produce the files which were converted for the printing.  The older filament, which is dating back to the end of 2014 was able to produce a workable print.  Tinkercad/Cura were utilized again, as was the Ultimaker 2+ which was able to produce better quality prints than the others produced by the Ultimaker 2.  There are considerable prints to follow in this series and they will be updated in posts to come on this site, including assembled pictures of the piping.