3D Printed SVG Stencil

 

Challenge: To use an SVG file to produce an effective and working stencil.

Background: We detailed the creation of this process earlier when we explained how the students rather than creating an original file from scratch (which can at times be time consuming and also frustrating to get the details extremely accurate.   

One of the options to reduce either the timeframe or the process is to use freely available SVG files as we have detailed, including this previous example of a school bus.   This instance saw the student taking a seperate 'profile' image and use that image to create a series of visual images.

This process involved taking the image using the Tinkercad App and then projecting it to an outside location.   When this had been completed the student used their iPad to take a screenshot of the image and record it.

They then took the image that they had created and used the Pic Collage app to apply a filter to the picture.

The final stage of the process was then take the original design and 3D Print it.

Resources Used: Tinkercad App, iPad, Pic Collage App, 3D Printer and 3D Printer PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Low - the process most challenging part for the student was to select an SVG file that would be suitable for a 3D Print.   Some of the files suggested made great AR/VR images but were then discounted as 3D prints due to their design or shape.

Size: The physical 3D Print measures 160mm across and was 70mm high.  The print was 1mm thick.

Cost/Price: As it was a stencil the print used only 8g of filament to complete the process and this had a corresponding price point of $0.20.

Timeframe: This project took twenty minutes in total to complete - five minutes to warm up the printer and fifteen minutes to complete the actual print.

What we would do differently/Next Steps for the students: The space between the smaller windows at the back of the bus is quite small so while it should work as a stencil if it was spray painted actually colouring it in would be a challenge.  The student who completed this project is an eight year old student who is working as part of the cohort one this year - ie they have had one and half terms of 3D Printing experience.

3D Printed SVG Example

Challenge: To use an SVG file to create a 3D Print that has a purpose.

Background: As noted a previous challenge given to students we were looking at ways in which we could create a SVG and then convert this into a 3D Print.  We were also looking at having a purpose for a print - by either selecting an SVG file that didn't need adjusting or to resize, adjust or the print.

In the instance of the example shown left the student viewed a number of designs and selected this 'school bus' from the list.   The design had clear holes built into the design and this was potentially be used to 'loop' or hook into the design creating the potential for a keyring or similar type purpose.

Resources Used: iPad, Tinkercad App, regular PLA, Bambu H2D, SVG File (from FreeSVG Files)

Level of Difficulty: Low.  In this instance the file didn't need any adjustments and when it was located and was inserted into Tinkercad, met the size requirements and was a simple matter to import the design.

Size: The print measures 120mm across, was 130mm high and was 10mm deep giving it strength.

Cost/Price: Using the Bambu Lab Studio software associated with the problem once the .stl needed slicing we can determine that the print used 27g of filament and this had a price point of $0.67.

Timeframe: To complete this print the duration of time involved was forty seven minutes.

What we would do differently/Next step for the students: This design could have potentially had additions made to it prior to being printed.   We could have sprayed it afterwards or looked at different colour combinations.

As a basic task that was completed easily to demonstrate a point this task was ideal.