3D Printed 'Scribble' Designs: Tinkercad

 

We have discussed in the past how we are looking innovative  and creative ways for our students to use tools such as Tinkercad in conjunction with their use of the iPads.  We have talked about the 'scratch' icon and how we have used it for the ten minute design challenge which has been put towards our junior school students.

We have also been working on our designs for a school award, a combination of the two was required as we wanted to personalise the design with symbols and details that are specific to Auroa Primary School. 

The brief to the students was to use the scribble design tool to create something unique and specific to our school.   In the example shown above the students copied 'Piri the Pukeko' the school mascot and used scribble to create their own version of this.

The scribble design shown left was 80mm long was 30mm high and 10mm high.   With these dimensions the prints took one hour to complete, using the Snapmaker design and completion.

Currently the student could look to add additional features into the design.   The shaded version shown above left has been coloured used the traditional mascot colouring of blue and orange.   The student wants to spray paint the design shown above and look at adding additional details into its presentation.

Another idea was to also look at other features that might then translate into something for our area.   The most iconic feature in our area is the Mountain, Taranaki which dominates our landscape and area and for which our region is named.   This was an early attempt to complete the process - and was quickly produced but the student wants to refine it.

It is currently 100mm across at the base and is 60mm to the top, the design is currently 10mm thick and as a result has a print time of forty minutes. 

The student wants to attend to the features of the mountain, the scale of the peaks relative to its shape and look at revising the design - we also want to make sure the student is aware of their designing and the importance of respectfully and correctly using it as inspiration.

Another student considered the use of 'scribble to completely design a new potential mascot for the school - in this instance the student wanted to look at designing a fox.

The idea behind the animal is that it has several features that stand out and are easily recognisable due to their scale - the ears and the tail in particular. 

In this instance the design measures 60mm across and was 60mm high.     The design was 10mm thick and currently has a print time of ninety minutes (again using the Snapmaker).

The student wanted to look to redesign the facial features of the print as this was the part of the design that the student was least satisfied with, however as they are completing a silhouette of the animal doing so with a combination of the features will provide to be challenging - however the  initial design shown here only took a few minutes to create.

3D Printed Fennec Fox - Market Day 2023

Challenge: To make an original Fennec Fox model.

Background: With the school Market Day approaching later this school term one of the students wanted to use their interests in Fox to create an original 3D Print.   This example was fennec fox - which is somewhat famous for the size of its ears.  The student involved had researched the animal and used this as a basis for the design shown left.

This version of this fox was designed using the main interface of Tinkercad.   The entire design for the fox was made by selecting the different shapes and manipulating them to the desired size.   The overall affect allowed the student to create a 'cartoon' fox.   This is the first independent design for this student who is a Y4 from our school in New Zealand making them eight years old.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - This is not a completely free design because the student is basing their entire design on the recognition between the fox and the design that they have made.  It was discussed afterwards to use this process to create a fantastical creature.

Size: This is the prototype to see if the process will work and a design can be made.  This design dimensions are reflected in this.   The design measured 25mm across and was 35mm high with a height of 40mm.    A successful print at this stage would lead to potentially a bigger print in the future.

Timeframe: This print came in, including minimum rafting at ninety minutes.   There is minimum rafting (waste printing) to go with the print, some minor adjustments which is potentially 

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: Given the usual factors this has been extremely successful.   The student is thrilled with the result - however questions have arisen given the use of the design.  We have some Chess fanatics in the classroom they have realised already that the piece here is potentially able to be used.   

The other option potentially is to look at other games - either a small ring toss or a game of noughts and crosses (also referred to as Tic-Tac-Toe in some locations).    These options potentially need another animal to act as the counter - the student is researching what might be created or used to do this.