3D Printing

3D printed cup

MakerBot_3DCup.mov

Video (2 min): 3D printed cup

A class activity

See the images below.

1. Using the MakerBot's Printshop app's "Shapemaker" tool (on iPad), the activity began by taking a photo of some 2D artwork.

2. Next, using the app's 'Shapemaker' feature, they highlighted parts of the image and applied a new dimension (z-axis).

3. Then they pressed 'Print', and the 3D printer (having been found wirelessly by the MakerBot app) came to life, completing the design in about 2 hours.

Curricular connections:

* Writing: the new object might be the central feature of a piece of fiction.

* Science: bring a 2D sketch of an organism into 3D realism.

* Math: measurement (angles, dimensions) & change in surface area from 2D to 3D, the rate of printing (mm/sec).

* Fun: could that be a cookie cutter?

What is 3D printing?

3D printing is a way of creating an object (model) from a computer file. The cup in the photo at right was produced in a 3D printer. This model is 50mm high and 40mm wide. And yes, it holds (cold) water!

How does 3D printing work?

The printer works by heating up a plastic filament (some of which can be seen dangling below the cup handle), and disperses the resulting liquid plastic from a print head that passes repeatedly over the model, building it up with each pass. It's a slow process but you can speed things up a little by choosing lower print quality settings.

Why are we getting into 3D printing?

In her article, 'What the heck is all the whoop-dee-doo with 3D printing?', Heather Wolpert-Gawron explores a range of benefits to students, from helping them transition shop program skills into the 21st century, to helping learners understand abstract concepts in numeracy through concrete demonstrations. Plus, watching the printer do its thing is mesmerizing!! Put it in a display window and crowds will gather.

How are 3D printing files created?

With software. A great starting point is the free software from tinkercad.com. It runs in a web browser on Mac or PC. Once your model is complete, you download your project file for the printer.

For iPad, there's AutoDesk 123D, Morphio and others. Many apps have free versions with additional 'in-app purchases'. Morphio has an education version.

Where can I see a 3D printer at work?

For starters, there's a time-lapse video of that model cup being printed. It took about 1: 40h. The video is time-lapsed... one image every 10 seconds.

What type of printer is it?

It's a MakerBot Replicator Mini+. It can be connected to via a USB cable, or over the network.

When is my school getting one?

The IT department delivered 3D printers to all our K12 sites over the summer. Two printers are shared by 4 K-6 schools (RS & CE; SE & SFX). Ask your principal where your 3D printer was installed.

1. Start with a 2D drawing to photograph.

2. Use features to extrude lines found in photo into 3D model.

3. Print your project.

Idea: print something 'precious'

Here's a project idea that is sure to resonate with LOTR fans: print your own 'precious' ring.

This project was designed by a student at tinkercad.com and printed on a MakerBot Mini+.

Click image to see more detail.

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