3D Printed Kicking Tee V2.0

 

Challenge: To take the idea and the design of a kicking tee and adapt and modify it.

Background: This concept, idea and print exploration was previously explored on this blog in a previous post - this is the revised version of that print.

As noted we had a number of students using kicking tees for their place kicks, and a student brought one in and wanted to investigate making it into a 3D Print.  When the first prototype was completed the student was more than happy with it however there were clear opportunities to develop it further particularly with the personalisation and design.

Resources used to complete this print: iPad, Tinkercad App, Prototype, Bambu H2D, Bambu PLA Green/Lime regular PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Medium/High this requires some refinement but is something of a statement piece that is going to be quite visible moving forward.

Size:   This print is 170mm long and 120mm wide.  The print is 80mm high.

Cost Price: The original print was a 120g/$1.87 unit.  This revised version used 140g of filament which had a cost price of $2.37 - reflected in the different sizes.

Timeframe: The newer version of the print took four hours and fifty three minutes to complete.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students:   We have already identified that this print is a prime candidate for a PETG print as we consider the potential use of the print would be something that could be struck or come into physical contact as it is kicked.

We have no concern about weather tightness however we would want to carefully observe the print where the lettering has cut out into the design.

3D Printing Rugby Kicking Tee - Prototype

 

Challenge: To produce a useable kicking tee for use in rugby.

Background: This task came about from a student recognising that they could take a current item, in this case a kicking tee and replicate it using Tinkercad and then personalise it.   There is a copy of a similar type item in the Tinkercad interface although it is a kicking tee for American Football.

The first stage of the testing was to take the existing design, to start to modify it and then test it using a regular rugby ball.  The students found that the tee held the ball a particular way easily however they were interested in modifying it so that it would be easier to adjust the degree that the ball was leaning.

The personalisation of the item was very straight forward.   The student put the name of his club on one side of the design and the other side of the design they put their name so that they had an individualised item.

Since the first version shown above the student has already reworked the various lettering and wording around the outside of the design.

Resources used to complete this print: iPad, Tinkercad, regular PLA, Bambu H2D.

Level of Difficulty: Medium: this print started as a regular design found from the main Tinkercad interface search page.   As it was originally from an American Football design the students needed to modify it to ensure suitable for a ruby union football which has slightly different dimensions.   This requires some reworking and adaption of the base design.  The students also are now completing some testing to ensure it can travel and be kicked like a regular tee.

Size: The print currently measures 120mm long and is 93mm wide.   The print is 34mm high mid point.  With revision of the design there will be obviously be some adjustments.

Cost/Price: The print as it stands uses 120g of PLA to complete the print and this currently have a price point of $1.87.

Timeframe: The print as it stands takes two and a half hours to complete including warm up time of six minutes.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: The students have really enjoyed the process of getting involved with something that will help with a sport that they are very enthusiastic about.   We have also considered that we might want to complete the print using another form of plastic for the printer to make it more robust such as PETG.

3D Printed Projects in Action: Weekly Summary

 

Five and six year olds at Auroa Primary School are 3D Printing, well they are with the assistance of the experts in our classroom.   We are continuing to buddy up with a range of younger students and start the CAD design and creation process with these 'new' students.    Our students are taking on a mentoring role and starting with the basics.   The students are of course using Tinkercad combined with the Tinkercad App and either our Bambu H2D or P1S to complete a range of short term original projects such as the one shown above - with a thirty minute print time and a $0.35c price point using regular PLA.

We've also starting exposing students to using AI in a positive way as a filter - by taking the Tinkercad design of students, AR/VR the design and then posing with a photo, of the design before the final touches are applied using a filter, in this case Pic Collage however of course Chat GPT is also a viable alternative.

In the example shown left the 'hearts' featured in the design is the 3D CAD Design via Tinkercad.  It has then been projected into the arms of the student who is on the slide in the playground.  Of the playground the only part of the image that has remained is the slide and the poles either side of it.  This is the same slide that was featured in another range of AR/VR work that featured the Ooshie stand although in this example the background was completely different.

We also have set our students another design concept or challenge one that involves the school laser cutter.  Our senior students (Year 7/Year 8) have their Design Education Production (DPE) and as part of it produce this Monster Box.   the print has space for an insert and so the challenge for our students is to use their 3D Design skills to create something that can form storage or an inside of a box.  It needs to be obviously measured accurately and carefully.

It could potentially used to store smaller objects and items (currently thinking is based around jewellery, Ooshies or earrings).

Our students have the MDF chest and will be again using Tinkercad, the Tinkercad App and their iPads for the design.

Finally we're always encouraging the students to bring in objects that we might be able to personalise or adapt not just because they make interesting projects but we also have in mind our upcoming School Market Day (which will be held next in 2027)

One such project under consideration is the moment in replicating this rugby kicking tee - as it is plastic it is close in composition to PLA however the students of course have realised that they can produce their own kicking tee with their individual players name - designed into the side of it.  Further updates for all of these projects will follow.