3D Printing and Technology General Projects

We have continued to publish a wealth of material related to our 2025 School Market Day - you can follow the posts via the Market Day tab, using the 'tags' from the search bar on this blog to track individual student projects.

We used a variety of technology to focus on the three elements that we were looking for with our students projects: innovation, creativity and personalisation.

Our students have completed their DPE projects in the latest cycle.  During this time students at Y7/8 completed a variety of tech related projects.  We have written about some of these projects in the past and included in these groups is the blue tooth speaker group.

One of the students recently used Tinkercad to create a box for the bluetooth speaker system - this print was then completed using the Bambu H2D Printer.   We have completed laser cut versions of this project previously a number of which are featured on this blog, you can view them here.

The print measured 150mm across and was 100mm wide and high.  Including the lettering the print took fourteen hours to complete on the Bambu.  There was minimal finishing and rafting with this project.

Market Day Preparation VR/AR

 

As we are approaching our 2025 School Market Day our students have started the processing of their business orders.

Each group made a 'Kickstarter' video to promote their product and from their the potential customers were able to make and order and request a personalisation for their potential order.

We posted about the videos for our school previously on this blog.   You can watch videos here which include iPad stands, key rings, or here to see videos featuring bath toys and flexi animals.     

One of the challenges for the students is preparing for this school event and to keep the students challenging and designing.    This is another way in which Tinkercad can come to the fore.   With its design aspect the students are able to process the orders which they have pending - that is the students have designed the personalised potential projects and then are able to AR/VR the designs into place (so in the case of the iPad stands onto a desk) allowing the people who have ordered them to view them prior to the designs being printed.

We have posted about this aspect of Tinkercad numerous times, which is a feature available when using the Tinkercad App on an iPad.  We have used it extensively to test designs viability before we print, to ensure that everyone can create (ie while we are waiting for the printers to become available)

This has allowed the students to gain feedback on their design but also to allow a heavy degree of personalisation from the purchasers who are going to be able to on the day of the Market Day come and collect (and purchase) products which have been highly personalised for them.

Sensory Fidget Stars - Unpacking the Design

 

Designs shown left include a 3D Printed design, made on one of our schools Snapmaker machines.   The second toy, shown on the right is a commercial available from a stationary supplier company.

While the two objects are identical we have seen the larger 3D Printed star start to appear as a fidget toy which is available online from online retailers.  We have seen considerable variation in the price - some price points have the object on sale for $16.00 (NZD).  

We were able to locate the plans, the .stl code for this print from Thingiverse and found the code freely available.    This then allowed the students to print the design.  As a fractal star as shown, the design was printed as a single piece with no waste PLA that is created as a result of completing print.

We have posted about this topic in the past and identified that we are looking for students to be able to understand the design process, understand the making an production process (such as working out exactly a price point for an object like this) and look to encourage and inspire students to create their own projects an items such as this.   Realistically they would also be something we could produce as a fundraiser for our school or for a potential school market day or event.