Projects Currently Underway Term Two 2024

 

We have been continuing to explore and use some of the additional features of Tinkercad with our students iPads.   We have previously shown examples of how our students have used the AR/VR function with the project development, or applying filters to designs to alter their appearance.

Another favourite creation tool at present is using the "blocks" function related to the design.  This applies a variety of technology to create a brick like version of the print.  This is accessible by a simple click and allows the students another version of their designs. 

Left: Independent Projects working of the students.  The junior class of students who have originally started working on their first significant prints.   While the students have worked completing badges and labels the next step in projects is for the students to look at producing some stationary holders.

The class with the students working are Y3 and Y4 - so the students are seven and eight years old.  We require their designs to have some individuality and also have a functionality.  In most cases this is provided by projects such as the one shown on the left.

The main design consists of three main shapes from the basic Tinkercad interface (main page design).   The shapes are then grouped together and the students name has been placed on the base.   The student then opted to have a senior school student assist with the spray painting of the design.  This design measured 130mm across was 80mm deep and 80mm high.   It took eighteen hours to print on the default settings.

Another aspect that we are looking at is to get designs that have already been completed and look at ways to alter the design or the type to change the purpose.  In the example shown left the Snowman with Guitar which was featured on this blog previously was printed as it was somewhat whimsical.  The challenge to the student who designed it was, is there a way that the design can be altered to have another purpose or another use.   The student concerned inspired by some of the other storage options from recent prints made the decision to include storage in the Snowman's head. The initial design didn't have this feature, however the student has already discovered that the addition of the storage comes at the cost of stability.  Attempting to add a pencil into this form of storage means the weight of the unit cannot be sustained.  The student is now looking to scale the entire design to make the print more purposeful, but has yet to attempt the dimensions, as a Y3 student they are a little concerned, however they are going to attempt to use VR/AR and a pencil to do so.

The Battle of Hoth/Star Wars designs is continuing to progress.   The student concerned has found that there is extensive predesigned material and props available specific to the scene that they are developing.

Already identified and located have been the gun emplacements and the target of the climatic scene, the Shield Generator has now been located and printed.  This can be seen in a mock up of the scene on the left, with a Lego Mini Figure clearly shown for scale to the left.   The actual diorama at present is awaiting sizing to ensure that everything is correct to the right ratio/scale.

This will be an ongoing project that will require a number of elements and aspects as it moves forward.

Star Wars Lego Diorama: Battle of Hoth

Student is an avid Star Wars fan and also a fan of Lego.  They have a number of sets with a theme, one of which is dominated by a series of scenes from the movie 'Empire Strikes Back'.  One of the iconic series of scenes from this movie involves the AT-AT machines and the 'Battle of Hoth'.   In this instance the student privately had the AT-AT but wanted to have some of the additional props from the movie to combine with what they had to create a diorama.   The student knew that there was 3D Designed and printed material out there and wanted to include something related to it. 
 

The design element of this post is limited as the student is using pre-made and designed material, however this is being done as a way to spark creativity related to the scale of the model, for instance how does the turret and the gun fit in to the scale of a Lego Mini-Figure and then how does this relate to the scene from the movie (which will introduce ratio to the student).   The idea is additional material will be printed and then the student will move to designing some items himself that are unique and meet the scale etc.

This turret is currently a twelve hour print, includes some rafting - of note the barrel of the gun is only 3mm across at some point, the Snapmaker Printers are able to print it, some printers might not have the finesse to include this detail (which typically we would be concerned would be snapped or break when the rafting was removed).

Laser Cutting to Produce Game Cards

 

Challenge: Student wanted to create a unique game based around a special theme to them.

Background: As the person was a fan of Star Wars they wanted to create a version of Monopoly that they could customise.   There were aware that there is a commercial version available however they did not want to use this as they wanted to have more control over some of the locations that were in place.   The student decided to look at using Laser Cutting to produce the cards that were available for the game as it would make them memorable and also durable and they could include specific detail that could be researched and looked at for the purpose of the game.   Each of the individual cards took around sixty seconds to laser cut out so the entire set for the game was not too labour intensive.  The student used Sketch Up to design the cards which were then printed on the schools industrial sized laser cutter.

The design process took minutes.  The dimensions of the cards measures 50mm across and are 80mm high.   The cards are 6mm thick which is the width of the MDF.  

The student was also considering how to use the sticker machine to help with the game presentation as either the way to product the decals for the board or to enhance the presentation of the board.

Marble Maze/Tilt Table

One of the significant students pieces of project work this year is a high level marble maze - this is being produced with two themes one a 'Star Wars' themed Maze which is subtitled 'Escape from the Death Star'.  The second is produced around the "Avatar Movie' with the theme and game play being produced around the setting of the movie.  

A cabinet is being made for this item so that the two tables will be inter changeable and table to be taken and removed (having one replace the other).   In the example on the left of the Star Wars Maze you can see the centre piece of the 'Death Star' which was produced with the 3D Printer and the various Storm Trooper Helmets that can be seen in the photograph are purple, they are having a light placed within them to light up when the ball rolls past them.  There are additional switches which are placed and designed to cause movement and sound to occur when the ball rolls over them.  The school laser cutter has also been involved in this project and used to produce the material to guide the ball around the maze (in the form of the barriers or sides)

The Avatar themed table (shown left) has two distinct sections with a bridge the connector between the two.  The bridge design was something that ideally a student would have designed however given time constraints and the need for this to be exact and work in conjunction with the table this was an 'elite' level project (one that was completed by a staff member and not the students concerned in this incident.  The dimensions of the table and the construction of the table is where the 3D Printer came into its element as it was ideally suited to produce this piece of the table and ensure that it worked perfectly.

The bridge (shown left) was designed in Tinkercad and printed using a Snapmaker Printer.   The bridge measured 160mm wide and had a length of 200mm for the ramp at it longest part, where the ball begins to exit and make its way down the ramp.   The print was also made to include details such as the screw holes (which can be seen in the photo with which it is being secured to the base).   It goes without saying that producing this piece of 3D Printing to work in conjunction with the table makes it a feature (as does the 'Death Star' part of the main Star Wars table).   

The print took eight hours on a fast print setting.   The print was made 'from scratch' by the adult concerned to create a part that fitted perfectly with the table.   This is a significant ongoing process and project for a group of students at our school and this will be continue to be updated as it moves towards completion before the end of the school year.

This view of the 'Death Star' table shows the various components near their final stage of completion.  It includes an external section formed by tubing on the left hand side, the centre piece being the Death Star itself and the Storm Trooper helmets in purple.   The laser cut sections are clearly visible (the MDF has been spray painted white).  

The students concerned are fans of the original Star Wars movies and have followed an process where they have designed the table based around ideas.

The have created a maze with switches, programmed the switches (using scratch), an extensive design and creation process followed by prototyping and creation.   Extensive game creation and testing with peers and critical thinking about themselves.

Note - the brown section on the front left I am reliably informed represents the planet of Tatooine from Star Wars which is the first part of Episode Four/Star Wars/A New Hope where Luke Skywalker lives and then meets Obi Wan Kenobi.

3D Printed Death Star Utility Holder: Revised

Challenge: This is an updated version of the previous post.   This was the revised changes that were suggested at the end of the details of the previous print.
Background: The previous print had the name of the person on the reverse of the base (adjusted).   There was also the storage issue - in the original, while the intention had been for the storage to be featured in the interior of the design, this had not been completed prior to the final print.  The second print in this series shows this clearly.

 Level of Difficulty: Low/medium - first attempted 3D Print by the student (who is ten years old).  Using Tinkercad and the basic design features the project was completed (including revisions) within thirty minutes.
Timeframe: Five hours.
Size: 70mm by 70mm by 70mm.
What we would do differently/Next steps for students: The only issue here is the overall size of the project.   As a storage container the current project on the current size is limited to what it can hold - which includes regular pens and pencils.

The students have completed the project and will now move onto other projects.

3D Printed Death Star Utility Holder

Challenge: To create an original Star Wars themed desk utility holder suitable for a student or adult to use in the classroom to store stationary items. 
Background: This was a new student to our schools first project to complete using a 3D Printer.  The student had experience with design and wanted to create something in line with his interest in Star Wars - hence the use of the Death Star as the significant feature of the design.  As it was the first project from this student and we were prepared to give him some leeway with his design ideas - this was his first project, as stated and it was created by a ten year old.   The intention was to produce a 'Death Star' model using a precreated model, place it on a base, include a name on the base and then modify the original to have a design purpose - in this instance it was intended that there be space in the top for miscellaneous small items.   This project was intended as a prototype to produce a bigger version and also to demonstrate a practical use for a 3D Printer to someone who hadn't created a project before.   The dimensions of the print were reflected in the nature of the prototype.
Level of Difficulty - Low/Medium.   This project is straightforward with the major design component coming from a precreated freely available model.   The additional aspects from the student were to add and personalize features by basic designs from the main Tinkercad Interface.  The project to put in perspective had no teacher input other than printing the final project.

Time frame: Five hours - as a prototype this design was using all standard Ultimaker2+/Cura designs and default settings.   Given that this was a test, that essentially turned into the finished product because the students were so happy with it, the design time frame/dimensions wouldn't be altered.  The option would be needed if the consideration was given for storage for pens/pencils and the students therefore would need to upscale the design scale/time frame to meet these requirements.
Size: Essentially the design as it stands at teh moment is 70mm by 70mm by 70mm.   The base plate is minimal and the name produced on the base of the design - as mentioned the concept of increasing the design dependant on its use.
What we would do differently: The name of the student the project that was produced for was on the reverse of the design (assuming the view shown above is the front).   The storage at the top of the design was left off this prototype, to ensure that the printer would be able to produce the shape of the Death Star successfully.   This is a fantastic starting project for a student taking his or her first steps related to 3D Printing.
Next Steps for Students: To complete the project by making minor adjustments.  The student is intending to adjust the above issues and then will move onto new projects.