3D Printing First Novice Print of 2026

 

Challenge: For an eight year old to produce their first independent project.

Background: As noted elsewhere on this blog, this is the first challenge for the students in the classroom.  All work described is being completed independently using just an iPad with no previous experience in the use of Tinkercad.

Level of Difficulty: Low - this is an introductory task for students completed in thirty minutes from start to finish by an eight year old who hasn't used Tinkercad before.

Size: The print measured 90mm across was 90mm high and 5mm wide.   It is made this size as it is intended for the student to use it as a bag tag.   If it was a key ring it would not be suitable.

Cost: This was completed on the Bambu H2D.  Using the Bambulab software we can determine that the print used 18g of filament to be produced and it had a projected cost of $0.44c.   Regular white PLA was used to complete this print.

Timeframe: The completed time for the print was 32 minutes.  It was part of a class set where we were realistically using the main school printer to print a set of fifteen projects over the course of two days.  It was intended to get a project completed by a student, get them excited and get them thinking about future possibilities.

What we would do differently/Next Steps for the students: Nil - completed as hoped.  We used students who had experience from last year to use Tinkercad and also a Flipped video from this site.

3D Printed Unique Key Ring

Challenge: For a nine year old to create an original design from scratch.
Background: This student was keen to involve himself in 3D Printing and wanted a gift for a family member who had a specific interest in farming and diggers.   They were looking at ways to include design and challenge.    With this design the brief was for a farming digger. 

There was no basic digger design that was available for use from the student so the student concerned designed one from basic shapes available on the main Tinkercad Design portal.   The geometric shapes were linked together to create the image.   The student needed a specific shape for the scoop and having tried various combinations of regular shapes decided to use the 'scribble' icon to custom make the shape.   From here it was a basic addition of a font to label the design for the person it was intended for.   The rectangular shape of the base was intended to use the block as a child (three year olds) toy.   It was intended as something for the child to play with.   It was an introduction to show this particular student the potential creativity that was possible with the 3D Printer.

Degree of Difficulty: Low - this is the students first attempt of the 3D Printer.

Size: 140mm across, 160mm high.   The design is also 20mm thick.   In hindsight this part of the design could well have been reduced - the student who designed it was thinking about their cousins age and making sure the block was robust enough. 

Timeframe: Ten Hours - this is reflective of the size of the print.

What we would do differently/Next steps for students:
The student was very pleased with his first attempt to produce something with the 3D Printer there is much more complex designs and projects to come from this student.   They have simply used the printer to create soemthing with encouragement.

First 3D Prints of 2017: Name Plates #2

Design Two - shown to scale.

Challenge: For students to create an original 3D Print design (the students first 3D Print).
Background: This has been detailed in a previous post but with the New Zealand School year running from February to December this is the first project of new school year for a new group of students, their first 3D printing projects in the classroom.  One student designed the name plate featured on the 29th March print.   These two students were inspired by that to produce their own versions for thier first 3D Print.  
Task: Produce an original 3D print, with design from scratch having some purpose/use.

Above: Design One: - name plate.

Level of Difficulty: Low - this was the students first project and print and as a result the print was created using some of the default/basic settings on Tinkercad.   The students were able to produce something like this within a ten minute time frame.
Issues: None - both prints worked from the plan without any issues.
Size: Both prints were similar with their dimensions - 'Mum and Dad' was 80mm by 50mm with a depth of 20mm.   'Connor' had a length of 100mm by 50mm with a depth of 20mm.  On reflection both prints could have been a depth of 10mm and this would have had a considerable impact on the print time (see below). Timeframe: Design one 'Connor' eight hours and design two 'Mum and Dad' was a six hour print.
Process: The students first original designs, with the idea that this will act as a springboard to more detailed projects.   It was an introduction to show the student what would be possible.