Minecraft vs Tinkercad - Project Summary

 

 

This is a summary of projects from this blog which have been completed by students from our school, and one local school, in 2025-6. 

 They have been generally created in Tinkercad as copies of creatures or characters from the Minecraft World. A series of them have then been 3D Printed although some have remained as virtual projects.

If you wish to have a copy of this file as a Microsoft Power Point Presentation you can download one from the Facebook Page for this site - by clicking on the link here.

iPad Stand: Market Day Exemplar

 

Challenge: To produce a unique personalised object for School Market Day as a major project/object.

Background: The process detailing the creation of this post has already previously been discussed with a post on this blog.  You can click on the link that post here - when our students use Tinkercads AR/VR option (available on the Tinkercad App to create a virtual version of their unique design which had been created using Tinkercad.

The Stand template had been used, and then adjusted to reflect the interests of the customer.   In this case as is shown left the 'Willy Wonka' hat at the front is replacing the wedge to hold the iPad in place.    The customers name and favourite food are prominently on the front of the design.   The print is shown as it was removed from the Bambu H2D without any removal of rafting, as noted in previous posts about the matter the 'trees' that are visible on the design are the full extent of the rafting.  Had this been completed using the Snapmaker we would anticipate a number of challenges with the format and the detailing (specifically from this view the lettering inside the base).

As shown left the stand is capable of having a regular iPad standing in it, including one that is using a 'smash protection' screen - making it more bulky than a regular iPad.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - this was primarily created by a seven year old using Tinkercad and its stand as a template, however he was able to add the personalisation features, complete the VR/AR of the design, ensure that it is all balanced and then present it for printing.  This student has worked on a number of designs featured on this blog and has been able to show a high level of balance, reasoning and design ability, including posts like this.

Size: This is a substantial print - and its dimensions reflect this.   It is one of the largest stands that we have printed.   The main base is 140mm wide and 130mm deep.   The width of the base is 10mm.   The back is 130mm high and has a similar width etc to the base.   The hat at the front is 40mm high.  While these are extremely large dimensions relatively speaking the stand needs to have the weight, size and dimensions to function as a working iPad stand.

Cost: The print including rafting uses 226g of filament, 75m, printing time on the Bambu H2D was six hours twenty minutes the listed cost is $5.20 - which we have converted to NZD are is roughly nine dollars.  This cost has been reflected in the charge that we have made for our 2025 Market Day, if we wanted the students to consider making a profit it would be reflected in a price above this.

Timeframe: Six hours twenty minutes.   This was completed on the Bambu H2D - finishing aside the main difference is the timeframe - which as we have noted is 50% faster.  Again the limitations about cutting time from the print is the fact that it has a very specific purpose and needs to be able to hold the weight of an iPad so in that case the timeframe has limited flexibility.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: The students engaged in a process of design and creation and based their pricing for the customer on inbuilt calculations with Tinkercad/Bambu Labs and set a price based around this.   Subsequently the students realised that they could have explored the option of using multi-colours with the design and the print (a clear example would have been the Wiggles name plate as shown above, which could have been the traditional colours) however this would have increased the print time and caused there to be additional PLA which would have meant the project would have run at a loss.

3D Printed 'Cyclops' Challenge: Masterclass

 

Challenge: Given a toy eye the students in the classroom were told to create a build/project around it.

Background: This is the finished version of the first initial print.  The process behind the design for this print was detailed in a previous print on this blog.

This design is now shown with the eye firmly in place - without glue as the student was able to force it into the eye socket when it then expanded into place, held there by the design.    The design is used to hold a USB flash drive.

At the same time that this was being produced one of the other students wanted to create something on a more significant scale.   This student is a eight year old student who has shown creativity and aptitude with her designing work and skills.  She wanted to use a 'cyclops' theme to produce a unique storage location.   Tinkercad was used as the main design tool.

The design is shown left on the Tinkercad design page.    The student opted for a single eyeball which as shown was on a stalk, with two pods of storage either side of the main body.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - the design has a number of aspects and details in it.   For instance the spikes on the body and the boils have been created by adding small cones and circles at different locations and then flattened out or added.     The balance with the design was required and it also needed to work with the scale.

Size: This was a significant print in terms of size.    The print measured 170mm across and was 90mm wide.    The main height of the body of the print was 120mm.   The Pods were 70mm long etc.    This was intended as a significant print.    The stalk with the eye in the middle was a further 70mm high.

Timeframe: This print took four and a half hours and took place on the Bambu H2D Printer.   This made sense with the dimensions and also the details that we wanted to bring to the print.   There was absolutely minimal rafting that was produced with this print - if we had used our other primary machines, the Snapmaker then we would have expected significant rafting with this projects.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: 

The student has shown the ability to be able to produce prints such as this.   When the initial challenge was set to the students they were asked to incorporate an eyeball into it this student opted to move in another direction.    The student could have looked to use this with the design, as they could have opted to use the printer to change it colour.

The student could have looked for additional features and develop the design further.   While they put a considerable amount of additional features onto the design but they could have added further details.

We have used the 'monster' theme numerous times in the classroom as a design focus because it allows the students to not follow particular rules or details (such as when a cat is designed) 

Junior Masterclass: Monster Exemplar

 

Challenge: To create an original monster with storage as part of a classroom challenge.   

Background: This came as part of a general classroom challenge that was set for the entire class.   One of the students began to work on a design that was inspired by the Pixar Movie Monsters Inc.  The student used the main Tinkercad  interface for details such as the hands and the feet and spent considerable time ensuring that the creature had balance.   The hands were designed deliberately to complement the base of the monster and provide balance for the overall project.

Once the design was completed the student then applied the Tinkercad Apps AR/VR function to the design to their creation.  This allowed them to check the viability of the design prior to the 3D Printing.  As the figure itself lent itself to being comical the students spent considerable time placing the figure in a number of locations interacting in a range of situations and with others.

The final stage of the initial development was for the student to make decisions about the decoration of the print after printing.   The student wanted to spray paint the design, then spend time with the decoration of the eyeball as a dominant feature.   While this has yet to be completed the idea from the student is to use paint for the eyeball and then put the detail into the iris etc.

As shown left the student opted to change the colour of the red PLA by spray painting it lime green.    The student who created this design was a Y4 student making them eight years old - they have been designing for the second year using Tinkercad.

During the removal of PLA the teacher made every attempt to minimise the removal of the print itself, as it is always a delicate matter.   The print suffered some small damage with the horns and the teeth of the project.  

The teeth that were in the mouth also suffered some unintentional damage to some of the oversized teeth.   However enough structure was maintained in the model to make it a striking example.

The student was able clearly demonstrate as well that they applied a basic shape to the head which meant the the design had a purpose of storage and also reduced the overall print time.

Size: The main base of the print measures 100mm long is 70mm high and 60mm deep.   The arms as shown are 30mm across and 70mm long.    The print dimensions could work in a variety of sizes however this was intended as a large size for the storage purpose.

Timeframe: Six hours the arms needed support as did the base of the design around the feet and the teeth.   This was unavoidable in this instance but needed to maintain the integrity of the print.

What we would do differently/Next Steps for the Students: The student was thrilled with the result, it goes without saying however there are additional things that they want to focus on.  The horn has already been mentioned, needing to be more robust, the teeth suffered some damage when the rafting was removed - both these would need to have a slight increase in size.   The student has, as noted, made plans to change the eye of the design into a focal point.

3D Printed Stationary Stand - Minimising the PLA Used

Challenge: For a student confident in designing 3D Printer to produce a stationary holder that required a minimum amount of PLA to be created.   This would require the component pieces to be thin to avoid excess use of the material.

Background: This student had produced a number of well designed and created 3D Prints and was confident in working independently.   The challenge to the student was to create a print that would minimise the use of the filament, to make something which a specific purpose using the smallest amount of filament that was possible.   The student created the 3D design and it was then sent back to the student to refine it to ensure that it was using the minimum amout of material possible.    The student was able to modify the design to meet this brief and also personalised it by including her name on it in a significant location and size.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - The student was adapting her design to ensure that a minimum amount of PLA (plastic) was used, this was in essence the purpose of the entire design challenge.

Size: The design measured 165mm across and was 140mm high.   The front storage was 30mm high and the main base of the storage was 60mm high and reflected the dimensions of the print.

Timeframe: Ten hours - while this may seem significant it should be noted that other versions of this print have been up to twice as long in terms of print and typically have been in the fifteen hour range, which has been reduced significantly.  Given the intention of the print and purpose of the print      

What we would do differently: Very little this print worked extremely well and the student involved felt that it had been extremely successful.   There was one side of the print that could have been made slightly thicker however the initial concern that it might split or break has yet to be realised.

3D Printed Exemplar Oversized Key Ring

Challenge: To produce an oversized key ring for the purpose of a heavy use item.

Background: This has been completed before for a variety of purposes, in each case the purpose has been for a heavy use item such as a school key or key that has multiple uses and access for it.   Be design the print is made large so that it cannot be placed inside a pocket or easily left somewhere due to its size.   The aspects of the design are all detailed here in instructional video form and step by step guides.

For further information the student concerned with this project is eight years old, but was able to follow the instructions that were provided in a 'flipped' video format that had been created by other students.   There was no additional instruction that was required by the student who was able to produce the final product as shown above and deliver it to the teacher, whose sole action was then to print it.

Level of Difficulty: Low - the student was working for the first time to produce something and was able to master the skills involved relatively easily.   This will be the first product produced by 3D Printing by this student and hopefully from here they will lead onto working on more complicated and detailed projects.

Size: Please keep in mind that this was delibrately made oversized with the intent of it standing out.   The design measures 190mm across, 90mm high and is 5mm thick.   The main lettering is 30mm high (including the base).   The secondary lettering was raised 5mm off the base plate to create the affect of the lettering.

Timeframe: Six hours, with a 6mm nozzle and machines that are Ultimaker 2+ which are six years old.

What we would do differently: The student was intending to spray paint this, however the item is to be used significantly and as a result the item will remain with the black base as shown in the photograph.  As a first print by a student starting to develop their skills this has been extremely effective.

3D Printed Badges: 2020 Exemplars

'John Deere' and 'Scribble Cats' Designs

Challenge: For students to independentally produce 3D Printed badges as a first print for the school year to include versions or approaches to design that we have not featured.
Background: Throughout the past few years as an introductory task to show students 3D Printing we have typically started with a basic design that has featured some personalisation and a practical use.   These are three examples that were all created by students using Tinkercad who met this brief.  To put their designing in context the students are speding the second year in the classroom, having started in the class the previous year, so they have had a year of experience or opportunity with 3D Design.  Students have used Tinkercad to complete the design process.   While there are more detailed and other products, programs and resources in the marketplace and online we have always found this to be dependable, reliable and adaptable.   Students have found the ability to create and make 3D

Cricket themed 'Kian' design

Printed designs easily.  I would also like to recognise as well the ability of Tinkercad to create an entire classroom of student accounts that come under the umbrella of the teacher.   This is flexible and allows the students to work with minimal input.    All three designs were created by students who were ten years old.

The 'John Deere' themed key ring is a key ring for a tractor.  The student located it online and wanted to add the addtion of the 'Dad' under the logo.    'Cats Forever' was created using 'scribble' which is one of the new design.   The key feature of the 'John Deere' design was the fact that the base itself had a lip or edge created for it.   The lip was around the outside of the design, and has a length of 10mm.   The base of the design proper is 5mm.   In usual design of these types of projects the base would be consistent for its entire length, the

Above: John Deere Lip

lip has reduced the need for this and then considerably reduced the print time.   You can see this feature of this design to your left.

Degree of Difficulty: Low - these designs are intented as a creation task to ensure that students are successful.  Refining the design is to simply tweak it slightly. 

Size: While there are three distinct designs featured in this post they have similar dimensions.   The bases are between 100-110mm and they have a height of 100-140mm.   The thickness of the design varies slightly the 'Kian' and 'Cats Forever' designs have a universal thickness to them, as noted 'John Deere' had a lip that was created that significantly improved the print time relative to the other prints in the series.  Given the revised versions of the print this change could have been made.
Timeframe: Three and a half hours ('John Deere') four and a half hours ('Kian') and six and half hours ('Cats Forever').   We would have revised this design to reflect the lip given the opportunity.
What we would do differently/next steps for students: Given the lip considerations mentioned otherwise the students designs/purpose etc. for the students was successful.

3D Printed Projects: Individualised Basic Projects

Challenge: For students to create (independently) a variety of designs that were original and created and personalized for the purpose of a gift.
Background:  Having completed the 'sound lure' project for the year the 3D Printers here at School were available for a variety of projects.   The students were asked to create a concept or idea, which was original, which allowed them to personalize something and then created it independently.  Some of these projects were inspired by work from the past, which has been already featured on this blog.  Full details of those projects are available in the links next to the photographs.

   Left: An introductory name plate for a student completely new to 3D Printing.  The instructions for the student was prepared by another student who tutored the student, and also in the form of a flipped video that students produced earlier in the year.

This is a basic design/concept/idea that has featured many times on this blog which is detailed here.

This took four and a half hours and was 90mm by 60mm and was 5mm thick with the lettering another 5mm (and star) out from the design,

Another project was similar but 'Christmas Themed' with an insert Reindeer, and hearts that wen through the shape, the name of the student in this instance was sunk into the design of the plate (in contrast to the design above when it was raised up from the base).    The student was also working for the first time on a 3D Printing project and like the student involved in the above project is ten years old.  They were able to be paired up with a student who had worked Tinkercad before and the design was original and personalized.   It was 100mm by 100mm and 5mm thick, with a five hour print time.  Again the tutorial video was used as a back up resource to assist with teaching, and there are considerable Christmas themed examples of this on this blog running from simple designs with a name to individually created 3D Projects based around Christmas ideas (such as the Sleigh featured here).   These projects range in difficulty level from basic, which would take five minutes to much more advanced and complicated designs that would potentially require reworking and remodelling.

A slight variation of the above themes saw the creation of this badge for a child's room, which was created by a student following the format above.   The PLA used by the printer is extremely durable and wearing, meaning that the designs themselves seldom fade or can be broken.  We have been testing this theory with a number of prints to show the evacuation assembly area at school, which when put outside in an exposed area have maintained their shape and form for approaching two years.   This print was 5mm thick, with the lettering and stars an additional 5mm, 60mm high and 140mm across the print time was four and a half hours.

In the final design that we wanted to highlight, a student wanted to create a gift to mark a family members, first Christmas.   Again the basic design format was followed as with other designs in this group.   The design featured no 'rafting' o additional PLA required to complete the project, the student was able to created, design and complete the project themselves while meeting the criteria that was created at the start of the project.   The print measured 140mm across, was 10mm thick (including the lettering in the middle) and featured a whole in the top of the design to attach it to a Christmas Tree.   This took four hours to print on our default settings.

3D Printed Super Large Stationary Holder

Above: The Full design shown in use in the classroom

Challenge: To produce a stationary holder.
Background/Details: Student wanted to create a personalized stationary holder.   We decided to allow a test of the output of the machine for the student to create something that was significant in size.   The student wanted something big as they had a number of stationary items.   The student started with a basic shape design and from there kept adding additional features and storage.    The design featured an ipad stand built into it and then two significant storage areas for stationary.    To complete the process of penalization of the stand included the name of the student at the bases on one side and a diamond above the name and finally as a little hidden gem there was a skull at the base of the iPad stand.  All of these design features were created by a ten year old student using Tinkercad to create and design basic shapes then take those shapes and manipulate and change them accordingly.    The student was able to do this without any input from the teacher and created it without assistance from other students.   The teachers sole responsibility in this case was pressing the print button to start the process of printing.  The student who completed this design was a student who was ten years old and had limited experience with a 3D Printer.

Design shown in profile with skull visible at the front

Level of Difficulty: High - this has significant features and details that needed to work in conjunction with each other.   This was not for the faint hearted in terms of size or the scale of the project (see below).   It would not be recommended to students starting the process.
Size: The main storage (base) of the design was 170mm across and 120mm high.   The design was 60mm wide and had sides that were 5mm thick.    The lettering for the name was on a separate block came 10mm out of the base of the block and the lettering was a further 10mm wide.    The second smaller storage area was 90mm high, 100mm across and 30mm wide.   The front of the iPad stand extended a further 50mm from the base of the design.   In total therefore the dimensions of the print is 190mm wide and 170mm long at its widest point.   This was one of the single biggest prints that we have attempted.   We would like to point out that this was produced using a 3D Printer that is now five years old on our typical settings (8mm nozzle and a twenty percent infill).

Design as shown from above

Time frame: This is one of the longest prints that we have attempted for some time.   The time for the print was thirty six hours.    This was deliberately designed as a statement piece that was to stand out and based on its size and presentation.
What we would do differently/next steps for students: The decision was made to print the design as an entire single piece, this proved challenging to remove the rafting that was specific to the lettering around the name of the student who had designed it.   A better approach would have been for this lettering or name to have been printed in a separate run, preferably in a different colour and then this would have been glued into place with a plastic/PLA bonding glue.    The student was thrilled with the result and removing the lettering after it had been completed would have been particularly difficult without significantly distressing the print.  In our experience removing black PLA tends to leave some scaring or marking on the print which we then reprint or repaint to complete the process.

3D Printed Pencil Sharpener Exemplar

The design shown without the pencil sharpener inserted

Challenge: Students were given a variety of items that were common classroom items and challenged to produce a 3D Print that used the object in a way that complemented it.
Background: A number of the prints in this series have already been posted and detailed.   Some of them have already featured pencil sharpeners or magnets.    This was a student who wanted to push themselves with an extremely creative and detailed print.   They build the robot that is featured here in the design from 'scratch' using the parts of the Tinker cad main interface that would produce the various features.   They then developed the head of the robot to include an opening for a pencil to be inserted into an a second opening to house the pencil sharpener and also allow the waste from the pencil to exit out the mouth of the design.  Further printing was to include the facial features of the design to include eyes, which were printed separately with a secondary colour to make them stand out.   This student is a ten year old students who has consistently shown outstanding design ability and the idea of creatively making projects that both look appealing and also have a a balance between their size, creation and functionality.   

Above: Design showing pencil insert location in side of head.

Level of Difficulty: High.   This design took several versions to address issues relating to the placement of the pencil sharpener and the location of where it could successfully operate.   The design of the robot itself involved locating a number of features and making sure that they worked in unison with each other to create a design that looked detailed and also appealing.
Time frame: Six hours to complete the print at the standard default settings that we currently use and have done for the past four years or so - a 8mm nozzle with a 20% infill for the printing of regular PLA.    Given the general factors for the design and creation there was little room for adjustment. 
Size:   The print dimensions were 30mm across for the feet 50mm across for the body and arms.  A separate print was completed for the head.   This measured 50mm across and was 50mm high.  The dimensions of this required additional work to be completed. (See below).
What we would do differently: The dimensions of the print as specified above created an issue that the print became top heavy.  It is requiring an additional print to stabilize itself - while it works exceptionally well and looks commercial it was not built with perfect engineering hence the leaning that is taking place in some of the photograph the next step for the student is to design a stand that is suitable to allow the robot to remain standing up.

3D Printed Stationary Holder Exemplar

Challenge: To produce a personalise stationary holder that doubles as an iPad stand.
Background: This design has now been perfected by students in the classroom who are able to produce something that is considered to be an exemplar.   This features the name of the student put just into the base of the design, just above the iPad stand.   Having a template that the students have they have the opportunity to produce something that can be adapted easily for other students.   This stationary holder is developed as a holder for a student who can have the design made for him to have a marker for him to know where he is sitting.    It holds a variety of iPads to be held in place.
Level of Difficulty: Medium: to get this correct and have the dimensions working correctly.  The stationary holder aspect of the design is hollowed out allowing it to have significant storage.   This has required considerable reworking.
Timeframe: Sixteen hours.   This is the minimum that would be expected for the size and dimensions of the print relative to the purpose that it was intended for.
Size: The design is 95mm across the front of the design.   The design that was 150mm long.   The design was 110mm high and the block at the front was 20mm high and 15mm wide.    The name part of the badge raised 70mm above the design, and was 20mm thick. 

What we would do differently:   This is an exemplar.  This has had a number of students collectively working and refining the design to ensure that it works.   

The basic design has come from Tinkercad however the students have refined aspects of it to minimise the rafting (supportive printing or waste PLA).  They have adapted it to ensure that it is personalised, and is being used for students who need to have an identified need to have help with their organisation.

3D Printed Exemplars - Name Badge

Challenge:
Student to produce an original name badge that could be used to identify their property or themselves (for instance a label for their bag). 
Background: An introductory challenge to our students.  This is something for a student who has not produced previously anything using a 3D Printer.   The idea was to produce something that would be basic that could be easily produced and allow the student to be successful, leading to them developing further 3D Printed ideas.   This student went further, producing a pair of 'racing stripes' that provided balance and depth to the print.   The student was thrilled with the result - a large numbers of this print and variations of this task have been produced  - however I would rate this amongst the best in the series in the past few years.   The result had the balance between practicality of the design, being able to be produced as a print and it working - without it being too elaborate, and the size of the print.  As mentioned on this site essentially one printer is running non-stop in a single classroom of twenty seven students to produce as many prints as possible. 
Level of Difficulty: Low - this is produced in five steps, students are currently editing a video which explains these steps as a 'how to' tutorial.   The student mastered this concept easily (it also should be pointed out the student involved is seven years old.
Timeframe: Two hours.   This print benefitted from having the stripes which reduced the print time.   The choice of font size also reduced the amount of filament in the final design and print.   To balance the affect of the design its size relative to its role etc was nigh on perfect.
Size:   The dimensions of the design measured 130mm across, 50mm high and had a width of 5mm. 
What we would do differently: Other than possibly a different base PLA there is very little that we would change.   The final product could have potentially been spray painted, however the student was extremely excited with the design and no further adjustments was required, hence its exemplar status.

3D Printed Lettering Combined with Laser Cutting

Challenge: Student wanted to combine the lettering created with a 3D Printer with the use of the school laser cutter with the goal of producing something as a gift for Chirstmas.
Background: Student has shown excellence in use of 3D Printing in the Classroom.  While they are extremely gifted with design we have been trying to encourage to them to think about combining technologies and ideas.   In this case the student created the lettering first, and then used the school laser cutter to cut into MDF to create the background image.   The image came from a simple online search and took approximatley ten minutes to laser cut.  The lettering was created using Tinkercad from the main interface.   The 'Monty' lettering shown with the above photograph was 15mm high and measured 60mm across - taking forty minutes to print.  It was then superglued to the base.

Left: Further repeating the process the student added a coat of basic gold paint to the same process, the base was wood with MDF again and the lettering was a simple case of creating a basic Tinkercad Font design with lettering which were 20mm high and 40mm across. 

The laser cut aspect of the design took ten minutes for the cutting, the design itself was freely available online.

Left: Another similar design instead featuring a rabbit.  Again a similar process to the other designs, the student is using freely available designs or outlines of creatures (in this case the rabbit) and then painting it with a gold backing colour.   The student has gone with a 'Christmas Red' PLA to contrast with the 'gold paint' producing the red to stand out and for effect.

For the printing part of the name the default settings that you will be familar with on this blog apply.

 Next Steps for the Students: The student concerned has developed her use of the 3D Printer to an extremely high standard producing a significant body of work.   The next logical step to extend hereself is to look at combining the two technologies more on significant projects.

3D Printed Cellphone Stand - Short Term Prints

Above: Design shown in profile

Challenge: Student wanted to create a specific object -  a stand for a cellphone that the student owned.  He wanted to personalize it and put a theme into its base.  This was his first ever print and the student involved is nine years old.
Background: As part of the process of designing 'Christmas' themed decorations in our classroom and now across the school, we also have been trying to expose students to the technology and getting them thinking about projects that they might be able to create to solve a problem or have a purpose to make something work that was currently needing to be completed.  This print came out of that as the student concerned wanted a stand for his cellphone and felt that it needed to be personalized.   As it was also part of a series of festive decorations the student decided to add the star and the Christmas Tree as shown above.   Also of note in the design was the way the name was

Above: Lettering clearly visible

created for the print.  The lettering was large and the student, despite it being his first ever print, wanted to have the lettering sunk down into the base of the design. All in all the student was producing a piece of work that had a specific purpose, it was their first ever design (for a nine year old) and the print was extremely successful. 
Level of Difficulty: Medium - this worked in unison with the sum of its parts.   The print worked perfectly for what it was, its one of those prints that is simple, but extremely effective and is successful that it appears to be straightforward (for instance a cellphone fits perfectly on this as a stand) but it requires a successful print to do so. 

Time frame: Four Hours- given the purpose of what was required this is the absolute minimum print time that would be required.   Testing of this stand with a regular cellphone had it working perfectly but with very little space either side of the phone, hence this would be an absolute minimum time required to complete the print.   There was not rafting what-so-ever with this print.
Size: The print was 75mm across and 70mm deep.   The block at the back for the leaning of the cellphone was 40mm high, 20mm wide and 75mm across.   Given the dimensions of a cellphone there is not more that could be reduced from this, obviously a slightly larger phone would require a larger base, this is perfect for a regular cellphone.
What we would do differently/next steps for students: This was a first attempt at a student producing something with a very specific goal in mind, as is mentioned throughout the print the student was extremely pleased.   The 'Christmas' theme of the design came about as it was created during the festive season, perhaps something less seasonal could have been designed. 

3D Printed iPad Stand: Exemplar

Above: the design shown from the front

Challenge: Student, while ten years old has proven to be extremely skilled at producing some exemplar quality prints.   The student wanted to ensure that a iPad stand was created that would be significant that was produced before the end of the year.
Background: Student has produced these before but wanted to push the limit of the 3D Printer with the scale of the project and the finishing.   The student wanted to mix combination of PLA produce an iPad stand and also have storage made available (as shown).   One challenge that the student hadn't anticipated was the storage on the right hand side of the print limited the space available for the iPad stand part of the print.  The student came up with a clever solution to this problem.   The student experimented with producing a separate block that was able to be used to balance the other side of the iPad (see photo).  This solved

Above: Balance block in place

the problem and allowed the balance that the student was looking for.    The student also wanted to personalize the iPad stand with combination colours.   The name block at the front was a straight forward addition, with a butterfly on the reverse.   The 'butterfly' has  been used in prints before - the rafting that was created with it was deliberately left in place to maximize the stability of the print.   The mainstay of the designs were from the Tinkercad interface.   The student concerned with this project is ten years old - however they have been responsible for a series of highly innovative and creative prints.

Above: Butterfly design on rear.

Level of Difficulty: High - as far as iPad stand designs go, this really is the most impressive one creative by a student and as such this would not be for the faint hearted.   The student has literally produced an exemplar that we will be using to show others as a top of the line design.   Everything works in relation to each other - and the one challenge that needed to be overcome the student was able to identify and solve effectively.

Above: Design shown from above

Time frame: Like the level of difficulty, this was not for everyone, the stand took twenty five hours, and in addition to this the lettering and the block took a further three hours, for a total of twenty eight hours for this project.  The thickness of the heart part of the storage could have been reduced slightly which would have affected the time slightly, but given the dimensions (see below) this is a significant project that would require a significant investment of time.
Size: The design measures 200mm across, with the stand measuring 130mm and the storage at the end a further 70mm.  The design including both the lettering and the butterfly measured 160mm.   The block at the back of the design measures 100mm high, the storage is 70mm and 90mm respectively.   The balance block was 20mm by 30mm by 20mm. 
What would we do differently/next steps for students: Initially the lack of balance due to the overhang from the iPad stand proved to be problematic, however the student herself identified the solution easily.   There isn't much more to add to what has already been written, this is a print of the highest order that really is an exemplar.

3D Printed Christmas Sleigh Decoration

Above: Design shown from the front.

Challenge: As with others in this series to produce a class set of classroom decorations themed for Christmas, we're running one classroom printer non-stop to complete this over the period of four weeks.   This student has shown creativity and invention when creating 3D Projects, for this, she wanted to create from scratch a sleigh for a Christmas Decoration.
Background: Student has been working on 3D Printing projects for two years as part of the classroom program.  She has been consistently creating inventive designs that have shown flair and creativity.    This was a situation when she had a brief, had seen other projects in the series but wanted to put her own spin on the creation.  This was designed with help from her younger brother who is eight years old. 

Above: The print shown from other side

Level of Difficulty: High - this sort of design isn't for the faint hearted however she used the basic Tinkercad Interface to create all aspects of the print - with the exception of the seats and seatbelts which she sourced from material that was free and online.   All of the design, measurement and creation was original created by the student.
Timeframe: Ten hours for the print.  This print consisted of no 'rafting' what-so-ever, so there was no wasted filament.   Given the dimensions and the purpose this is the perfect design in the sequence.
Size: The front of the print measured 110mm across, was 75mm deep and 80mm high at the back and 40mm high at the front.   The individual aspects of the print varied slightly depending on the location.
What we would do differently/next steps for students: This was one of the the best prints in this design of runs, the design was particularly complicated and worked extremely well.  The student(s) involved in the print were thrilled with the result and this was one of the best examples from a student during this year.

3D Printed iPad/Storage - Deluxe Variation

Above: Design shown from the front.

Challenge: For student to create and design a individualized unique iPad stand and storage, with a Unicorn theme for a gift for a younger student.

Above: Design in profile from reverse

Background: The student involved in this design is a nine year old student.  She has shown considerable talent and design in a wide range of projects.  As part of this process she created an original design with a 'Unicorn' featured on the front left hand side.   This unicorn was sourced from a Tinkercad search of freely available and then Incorporated into the design.   The lettering was added in a second print - initially the first design had a regular lettering that was the same colour as the main print.  The student felt that it would improve the presentation of the print to change the colour and to alter the font, this was done and the name was replaced with orange filament and then super glued onto place on the print.   The Unicorn was included as part of the main print, conceivably this could have been altered or printed in a separate colour.  This design is another that we would consider a exemplar of an outstanding design of a project that numerous students have created variations of.

Design in use not storage at back.

Level of Difficulty: High - the design while it may appear slightly simplistic has considerable depth to it.  The Unicorn in conjunction with the other aspects of the print, the bar at the front, the storage at the back were all aspects that needed to work and interact with each other.
Time frame: Twenty hours.  The lettering that featured on the front was an additional forty minutes.   Given all the dimensions and aspects of the print this would be the minimum required - removing the Unicorn (which serves little real purpose) would reduce the print time to eighteen hours or so.  This would be consistent with some of the best prints in this series, which have come in within the sixteen to twenty two hour mark.  Given all factors that can be considered this time consideration was appropriate for the design. 
Size: The Unicorn had a height of 70mm.  The base of the front of the design was 100mm and featured a block that was 10mm by 10mm.   The base was 70mm long.   The base at the back formed a rectangular storage area for work materials (see above photograph).  Given the purpose of this print the size was excellent for the intended purpose.
What we would do differently: The Unicorn at the front as it was set back from the print formed a barrier for the iPad when placed on the stand.  This rendered the bar created for this purpose as obsolete.  We could have placed the Unicorn at a different point on the design, but having it protrude too far out the design could also have been problematic. 
Next Steps for Students: This is an exemplar the student needs to move onto other challenging projects.   

3D Printed - Refined and Improved iPad Stand/Storage

Above: Design in profile

Challenge: For student to create a new and improved iPad stand with significant storage and to minimise the amount of PLA used for printing.
Background: The student who designed this had input from a number of other students in the classroom who had completed similar projects.   The student concerned wanted to learn from others and produce a project that would minimise the PLA required to complete the project, but also allow an iPad stand to be created, that would also allow the storage of considerable materials and stationary.   In addition to this a strong personalisation would occur of the design which was created by the student featuring his name prominently in the design.   The student completed this design and did so in exceptional circumstances - there was some slight Tinkering prior to completion.   He changed his name to include a capital letter and it was centered more.   He also reorientated the design to include more of it centred in the middle. 
Level of Difficulty: High - to complete this print with the dimensions that were produced with minimum PLA used is extremely difficult.   This student has a proven flair for design with what is essentially his first large scale project.   He has had input from other students however the project and dimensions were extremely successful.

Above: Design in use

Timeframe: Seventeen hours - while those of you who are not familiar with 3D Printing might think that this timeframe is excessive given the scale of the project however earlier versions of this type of print have been anywhere to five hours on top of this.   Given the dimensions and detail this is an exceptional use of PLA to complete the project. 
Size: The main block that forms the base of the design was 100mm across and 170mm long.   The base was 20mm thick or wide.    The 'Bailey' lettering was 70mm in height.  The storage container that is behind the middle point of the print measured an additional 75mm from teh base.   As it was designed for storage the inside was hollow.    Generally the width of the print was 3mm which would be the minimum required for the strength of the sides.   Nothing from this would be changed in hindsight.
What we would do differnently: This was an exceptionally designed and created print.   Given all of the factors related to this print no changes would be made.   This is going to be an example used to show others what is possible.
Next Steps for students: The lid of the storage container was dropped down to allow for the creation of a lid to go ontop of the design.   This would allow the storage to be sealed.