3D Printing Projects
3D Printed Terrain Models
3D Printing - The Basics
Glossary of technical terms:
Filament: This is the material used by the 3D printer. The most common type of filament is PLA (Polylactide), which is processed from plant starch. You can also print using ABS filament, but it is more difficult to work with and can give off unpleasant fumes. It also requires a stable temperature to print correctly. For these reasons, PLA is by far the best choice for printing in schools.
.stl file: This is the file type that is exported from Tinkercad and other 3D design software. 3D printers cannot print directly from .stl files; .stl files have to be processed in slicer software.
Slicer software: This is the software converts the stl. file into layers that the printer can understand.
Slicer software is also where you choose 3D printing settings, such as infill percentage, base plate adhesion type, plate temperature etc. I use free 'Cura' slicing software which is fully compatible with Anycubic printers. The slicer software exports the print in the G-Code (.gcode) format, which is sent to the printer either via USB or an SD card.
Infill: 3D printed models are rarely completely solid (100% infill); to reduce the amount of filament used in a print, slicer software creates hollow areas between supporting 'walls' of filament.
Overhang: Overhangs are a really important consideration when designing models that you intent to print. 3D printers can generally manage 45 degree overhangs, and occasionally up to 60 degrees, but features such as ceilings of buildings often need to be printed as separate parts; 3D printers cannot print into thin air!
Supports: In order to print steep overhangs, slicing software can generate supports which are snapped off and disposed of after printing is finished.
Filament: This is the material used by the 3D printer. The most common type of filament is PLA (Polylactide), which is processed from plant starch. You can also print using ABS filament, but it is more difficult to work with and can give off unpleasant fumes. It also requires a stable temperature to print correctly. For these reasons, PLA is by far the best choice for printing in schools.
.stl file: This is the file type that is exported from Tinkercad and other 3D design software. 3D printers cannot print directly from .stl files; .stl files have to be processed in slicer software.
Slicer software: This is the software converts the stl. file into layers that the printer can understand.
Slicer software is also where you choose 3D printing settings, such as infill percentage, base plate adhesion type, plate temperature etc. I use free 'Cura' slicing software which is fully compatible with Anycubic printers. The slicer software exports the print in the G-Code (.gcode) format, which is sent to the printer either via USB or an SD card.
Infill: 3D printed models are rarely completely solid (100% infill); to reduce the amount of filament used in a print, slicer software creates hollow areas between supporting 'walls' of filament.
Overhang: Overhangs are a really important consideration when designing models that you intent to print. 3D printers can generally manage 45 degree overhangs, and occasionally up to 60 degrees, but features such as ceilings of buildings often need to be printed as separate parts; 3D printers cannot print into thin air!
Supports: In order to print steep overhangs, slicing software can generate supports which are snapped off and disposed of after printing is finished.
You will find links to detailed articles about the terms above on the Blog page.
I'm Andrew North, a UK primary school teacher. This website has two purposes:
1) To help children, parents and teachers learn computer aided design and 3D printing.
2) To provide 3D printed products to enhance the teaching of physical geography.
I hope you find the resources on this website useful.
Why should schools teach CAD / 3D printing?
In many primary schools, Design Technology is something of a neglected subject. Having been a full-time teacher myself I can appreciate that teachers don't always have time to research the latest developments in this area, CAD (Computer Aided Design) and 3D printing in particular. However, it has never been easier or cheaper to bring 3D printing into primary schools.
With Ofsted's current 'deep dive' inspections, it important that all primary schools ensure that they are covering the DT curriculum, and 3D printing projects are a perfect way of achieving this.
But regardless of Ofsted, there are so many other great reasons to get children 3D printing. Here are just a few:
1) Preparing children for potential STEM careers - 3D printing is already revolutionising the design, engineering and medical worlds and will undoubtedly be a big part of their lives in the future.
2) Improving computer skills - With children's widespread use of tablets and phones, some lack experience using mice and keyboards. CAD helps them develop these skills. They also learn how to download, copy, paste and rename files, as well as use slicing software to prepare their 3D files for printing.
3) Collaboration and teamwork - In 3D printing classes I actively encourage children to collaborate, share good ideas and help each other out, as well as encourage a little friendly competition.
4) Easy to monitor progress - In the cloud-based Tinkercad software, teachers can remotely access the designs of the children in their class and ensure they have completed Tinkercad tutorial sessions.
5) Encouraging perseverance - 3D printing projects don't always go to plan. Allowing children to fix and reprint models gives them a great sense of achievement.
6) Cross curricular potential - There are countless ways 3D printing can be incorporated into other areas of the curriculum. See the Blog and Projects pages for ideas.
7) IT'S JUST BRILLIANT FUN! - Of all the things I've taught over the years, nothing has enthused the children more than 3D printing.
With Ofsted's current 'deep dive' inspections, it important that all primary schools ensure that they are covering the DT curriculum, and 3D printing projects are a perfect way of achieving this.
But regardless of Ofsted, there are so many other great reasons to get children 3D printing. Here are just a few:
1) Preparing children for potential STEM careers - 3D printing is already revolutionising the design, engineering and medical worlds and will undoubtedly be a big part of their lives in the future.
2) Improving computer skills - With children's widespread use of tablets and phones, some lack experience using mice and keyboards. CAD helps them develop these skills. They also learn how to download, copy, paste and rename files, as well as use slicing software to prepare their 3D files for printing.
3) Collaboration and teamwork - In 3D printing classes I actively encourage children to collaborate, share good ideas and help each other out, as well as encourage a little friendly competition.
4) Easy to monitor progress - In the cloud-based Tinkercad software, teachers can remotely access the designs of the children in their class and ensure they have completed Tinkercad tutorial sessions.
5) Encouraging perseverance - 3D printing projects don't always go to plan. Allowing children to fix and reprint models gives them a great sense of achievement.
6) Cross curricular potential - There are countless ways 3D printing can be incorporated into other areas of the curriculum. See the Blog and Projects pages for ideas.
7) IT'S JUST BRILLIANT FUN! - Of all the things I've taught over the years, nothing has enthused the children more than 3D printing.