Lore #8 - You don't need to be an engineer to 3D Print

There's a new poster coming to create a series of 'talking points' based around 3D Printing in the Classroom and while its from the perspective of our small rural school in South Taranaki New Zealand - we've already posted a series of talking points about this - which you can click on the link below about each topic for further information or details about how it applies to us.

#1 You don't need more than one printer at your school to print your student projects.

#2 All of your 3D Printing projects don't need to be 3D Printed - there are other options!

#3 There's a range of non-standard filaments that are available to enhance your prints

#4 Juniors can create, design and develop a range of 3D Projects 

#5 The teacher doesn't need to be an expert in 3D Printing

#6 You have options to enhance your printing projects with options

#7 Engage with the wider community with your projects and resources

#8 - You don't need to be an engineer to troubleshoot 3D Printing projects.

We've been tracking our 3D Printing over a number of years with the first printer at our school operating in 2014.   The early machines that we had were complex and 'relatively' reliable.   When we had problems with the printing with the machines (when they would print incorrectly) it could at times require significant teacher input to correct the machines.

Following our early machines we went to a series of other branded machines that were significantly more reliable Ultimakers (2015-2022) in various version and updates.  We went to Snapmakers in 2022 and then last year 2025 we switched to (primarily) Bambu.

It has never been our intention to endorse any particular products or processes via this site - however we would like to point out that everything here is created by students and staff (where noted) and the intention is simply to share what we do so that other people can get inspired and have a think about how that might apply to themselves or their school.

With that in mind the Bambu H2D that we are using has taken things to another level.   Since August last year essentially everything on this blog has been printed off the one machine.   The machine itself has had to be greased (the axel) however this was relatively simple.   The inbuilt protection against a miss print has stopped it a handful of times.   The changing of the filament etc is extremely simple.  We have yet after seven months to have any significant issues with the use of the machine with prints ranging from 30 minutes to forty hours.

The print shown with this post took forty minutes but crucially the print itself is how it came off the machine - the sunk in lettering that is visible was completed without any support or material needed to be removed.  If you note the smallest name, Penelope, this has been completed and is currently 3mm in height.   This is something that we have seen with this machine.   It is also noticeable that the amount of rafting or support plastic with this machine for general prints (such as the cow) this has been greatly reduced.

As the technology has evolved with the 3D Printing the scope, accuracy, reliability and potential has continued to improve the outcome for students using the tools available.

3D Print School - Hardware Update

This blog started in 2015 when we were producing prints using Ultimakers from 2014-21.   In 2021 we swapped to using Snapmaker Machines.  Currently we three Snapmakers (including one dual nozzle) to operate at our school of 200 students.  

This week we have upgraded our available hardware by purchasing a Bambu printer.    We will continue to use our Snapmaker machines to produce a range of prints for our students but some of the project work will be also using our new Bambu H2D Printer.

It is our intention to tag prints using this machine with our student projects so that the different between the machines can easily be visible.

Student Created Trophy for Sports

Students original Tinkercad Design

Learning Challenge: This student independently created and designed this project, having had previous experience during the Auroa Primary School Technology 3D Printing School program. They were a Hockey student who wanted to remember the season with a trophy.
Background: The student having had experience with the machines and the program wanted to gain additional credits towards the school rewards program and also recognise the (field) Hockey season which had been completed.
Task: The student generated the design in their own time using Tinkercad without teacher input.

Students design printing on the Ultimaker 2

Level of Difficulty: Moderate - the design required some modification (see below) however it was not significant and was completed on the initial print run successfully.
Issues: the original design came with a stick on the ground, sans the hockey ball, the ball was added to give stability to the design as the stick by itself was lacking in support.   The design of the ball was intended to stabilise design and not necessarily based around scale of an actual Hockey Ball.  The original Tinkercad design by the student featured two designs at the student wanted two copies.
Timeframe: The student came completed with the full design having done so in her own time.  Forty hours to print.
Size: Base 20cm, depth 15cm, height 25cm.  (approx.).
Process: Designed straight into Tinkercad.   Downloaded in the Cura, the Ultimaker 2 Free Software.  As per the rest of the material on this site it was created (printed using an Ultimaker 2)
How can you Contribute? Have you designed something original to solve a problem or produce something unique? Can you share it with us and provide the details?

3D Printers: Speaker Technology Project

Full Speaker showing two
of the speaker covers and handle

Speaker Cover 

These photos represent the Technology created by students at Auroa Primary School during the students technology.

The students as noted have a range of subjects, the speaker boxes were created as part of the Woodwork technology cycle.  All additional external pieces for the speakers were created using Tinkercad and Printed using Ultimaker 2 3D Printers.

Students designed their own speakers and thus the handles were all custom made and designed for the individual speakers.   Two covers were created for each speaker and they were also 3D Printed.  The feet for the speaker were also designed and created by the students.

For those of you interested the speakers are two 15 Watt Channel speakers (total power 30 Watts) and they were controlled by an iPad/iPod/iPhone.  You can find additional information about the speakers from Tim@Mindkits.

3D Printing: Student Work at Auroa Primary School

Auroa Primary School for 2015 created a modern program for Technology for students - a series of lessons were created for Robotics, E-Textiles, Woodwork and 3D Printing.  The School website has details of the program that the students are involved in, with examples of each.   Each of the students have had the opportunity to work on Friday from 9am to 2:00pm for five week blocks. The final activity for the students was a free design activity allowing students to create an original piece of 3D Printing Work.

Original Design from student in Tinkercad

The project was designed following a creation process by the students, a creation of the project using Tinkercad and then a trial and creation of a Prototype.   In the link above you can see examples of some of the original work and ideas created by the students.  

Golf Egg Cup Print

Students managed the entire process themselves - in this example on this page the student concerned had an interest in Golf.  The student created a model of an Egg Cup with a Golf Theme, created the model digitally using Tinkercad and then created a draft print.  The original print was not successful as the cup was not balanced enough to hold a regular hard boiled egg.  The student redesigned the cup portion of the cup ensuring the base was larger and was then able to complete a successful print.   The original print was a draft setting.

The detail was added to include the indentation the grass design on the base and the Tee/Cup design.    The student was able to complete this on the second print.  The time allocation of print was eight hours on the 'Fast Print Setting'.

3D Print School: Home Building Assignment

3D Print School Building Assignment: Home Repair

Learning Challenge: Create a replacement part for a working piece of machinery at home using a 3D Printer to create the piece.

Background: The local Cricket Club, who have a close association with our school came to see us because they had a BBQ Knob that need replacement.  Rather than replacing the entire BBQ they requested that we be able to manufacture a replacement part that would be functional and would allow them to continue using the BBQ without having to replace the entire BBQ.

Task: We had the original part and were able to make an accurate copy of it as a result.   The students had to make detailed measurements of the replacement piece. 

Level of Difficulty: Low/Moderate - as we had an original part we did not need to experiment with the measurements or the details.   We simply used the existing measurements (so in this example the students did not carry out a written plan first, we were also on a restricted timetable).

The replacement part, mounted on the BBQ next to the original piece.

Issues: The students were able to complete this repair by the following day.  The only issue came with the width of the internal gap to allow the knob to be connected to the BBQ.  Students had to work out a way to identify the circumference of the internal gap and the depth of it.   The gap also featured a sleeve which was metal as a heat protection feature.  This sat inside knob.  

Timeframe: The students were able to complete the task following a sample print run.   Using Tinkercad they were able to produce a prototype the same day.  It had to be corrected to allow for the internal gap to connect it to the BBQ.  Once one had been printed and the students realised that the gap needed to be adjusted they were successfully able to do so.  The second print worked.

Above: The replacement piece in action

Size: The finished product took approximately half an hour to print and measure 5cm by 5cm and had a depth of 5cm.

Process: The students had an original piece on which to base their designs.   This meant that instead of creating an original piece they were replicating a replacement piece.   We are going to pay close attention to the longterm success of the part - currently there is no apparent damage to the 3D Printed part as a result of the cooking process however overtime we need to continue to monitor this.  We could look at manufacturing the inner sleeve to protect it if required, however at this stage it does not appear to be an issue.  The fact that this worked and the students were able to turn it around so quickly was a strong bonus.  

Problem Solving: Measurement - specifically in this instance the depth required from the internal part and  the circumference of the internal circle.  The concept seemed to be understood clearly by the students but the process involved proved a small stumbling block.   While generic ones could be ordered online it allowed an opportunity to ensure we could design an individual piece that was tailor made for the BBQ.

How Can You Contribute: 
Have you used a 3D Printer to repair something at home? Have you designed or repaired something at home that needs replacing and can you send us the details so we can share and use your examples to encourage others?