6th Grade CAD Unit Objective

In this Unit students will start by exploring the basics of technical drawing through practicing isometric and orhtographic drawings. Student will create basic 3D models and understand how 2D sketches translate into 3D objects in TinkerCAD. We will be using isometric paper and TinkerCAD to work through this unit. Students will also be exploring 3D printing and how to translate their ideas from paper to digital to rapid prototyping. This unit equips students with technical skills and hands-on experience in design and manufacturing, preparing them for future opportunities in technology and engineering fields.

Technical Drawing

To think like an engineer and be able to 3D print, you have to speak their "visual language," which uses two main types of drawings: Orthographic and Isometric.
Orthographic drawings are like flat blueprints; they show you one side of an object at a time—usually the Top, Front, and Side—so you can see exact measurements without any 3D distortion.
Isometric drawings are the "action view," showing three sides of an object at once in 3D (kind of like a block in Minecraft) so you can see the overall shape and how it fits together.
Engineers and designers use both together to take an idea from a flat sketch on paper to a 3D model in TinkerCAD, and finally to a real-life object from a 3D printer!

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TinkerCAD

TinkerCAD EAMS Class to Join

TinkerCAD is a beginner-friendly, web-based 3D design and modeling tool that allows students to bring their creative ideas to life. With its simple drag-and-drop interface, students can design 3D models, learn the basics of CAD (computer-aided design), and prepare their projects for 3D printing. TinkerCAD helps build problem-solving and design skills, making it an excellent introduction to the world of engineering and digital creation for students and families alike.

www.tinkercad.com/

how 3D printers work-1/30/2026, 1:09 PM.mp4

3D Printing

At East Aurora MS Tech, we use a process called FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling). Think of a 3D printer as a robotic hot glue gun. It takes a plastic string called filament, melts it, and draws your design one ultra-thin layer at a time.

The Process in 3 Steps:

Design: You create a 3D map of your idea in Tinkercad using precise imperial measurements.
Slice: We turn your 3D model into "G-Code," which is a list of thousands of coordinates for the printer to follow.
Print: The printer nozzle moves layer-by-layer, stacking melted plastic that cools and fuses together instantly to create a solid object.

The Golden Rule: Because the printer builds from the bottom up, your design must have a flat base to stay attached to the machine and precise gaps so moving parts don't melt together!

🛠️ Tech Specs: The EA MS Print Lab

The Material: We use PLA (Polylactic Acid), a biodegradable plastic made from cornstarch. It’s safe, odorless, and perfect for classroom use.
The Heat: The printer nozzle heats up to 215°C (419°F) to melt the plastic, while the "bed" stays warm to keep the part from warping.
The Precision: Each layer is only 0.2mm thick—about the thickness of two sheets of paper stacked together.
The "Gap" Rule: To make objects move, students must design a 0.02-inch clearance. Anything smaller, and the robotic "glue gun" will weld the parts shut!

Unit Vocabulary

3D Modeling
- The process of creating a three-dimensional representation of an object using specialized software.
CAD (Computer-Aided Design)
- The use of computer software to create, modify, analyze, or optimize a design.
Isometric Drawing
- A method of representing a 3D object in two dimensions, where the angles between the axes are all 120 degrees.
Orthographic Projection
- A way of drawing an object from different views (e.g., top, front, side) to represent its dimensions accurately.
Dimension
- A measurement that defines the size of an object, such as length, width, or height.
Extrude
- A modeling process that extends a 2D shape into a 3D object by adding depth.
Fillet
- A rounded edge or corner added to a design to smooth sharp angle
Scale
- The proportion of a model or drawing in relation to the actual size of the object.
Prototype
- An initial model or sample created to test and refine a design.
Tolerance
- The allowable variation in a physical dimension or measurement to ensure parts fit together properly.
Workplane
- A flat surface used as a base for drawing or modeling in 3D design software.
STL File
- A file format used for 3D printing that represents the surface geometry of a model.
Support Structure
- Temporary materials added during 3D printing to support overhanging or complex shapes.
Slicing
- The process of converting a 3D model into layers that a 3D printer can use to build the object.

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