3d printing in the elementary Classroom
3D PRINTING
WHY 3D Print?
* students are thrilled to see their ideas and designs come to life
* it facilitates evaluation/revision, communication, and motivation
* it offers a global view of the concept, design process, and
architectural elements
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When architects design they first define a problem to solve (goal to meet).
These challenges must be judged upon both physical/engineering and aesthetic criteria:
-Is this shape physically possible to build?
-How will this space make one feel?
-Is this a usable space (in terms of size, corner shapes, flow/movement, light…)?
-Does this look as pleasing as I hoped it would?
-How does this shape effect its surroundings?
-How successfully have I met the criteria of my challenge/solved the problem?
The answer to these questions may guide prototyping, revision, and improvement. The creation of a tangible 3D model makes this process much more concrete, profound, and accurate. Needed changes are more easily observed through physical orbital observation of the building and its influence upon neighboring structures. When an architect’s concept is manifested in the reality of a 3D model, it may come out different than anticipated, or inspire previously unimagined possibilities.
3D printing also aides in clear communication of intangible ideas between architects, as well as with laypeople (clients/parents). The 3D print becomes a manipulative aide to understanding complex physical and artistic ideas that might otherwise be lost in the un-dynamic and flat nature of 2D drawings and speech.
3D printing is also valuable as a real-world vocational connection to the future of design, architecture, and manufacturing. We are already seeing 3D prints of ears and livers of human tissue in the medical field, 3D printing of precious metals, made-to-order or custom prints for commercial products, chocolate prints as cake toppers and custom candy, the invention of self-repairing pipes and bulletproof cloth by modifying shape-structures on 3D printed items, nano-printing, etc. The sky is the limit and new inventions are created on 3D printers daily.
WHY 3D Print?
* students are thrilled to see their ideas and designs come to life
* it facilitates evaluation/revision, communication, and motivation
* it offers a global view of the concept, design process, and
architectural elements
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
When architects design they first define a problem to solve (goal to meet).
These challenges must be judged upon both physical/engineering and aesthetic criteria:
-Is this shape physically possible to build?
-How will this space make one feel?
-Is this a usable space (in terms of size, corner shapes, flow/movement, light…)?
-Does this look as pleasing as I hoped it would?
-How does this shape effect its surroundings?
-How successfully have I met the criteria of my challenge/solved the problem?
The answer to these questions may guide prototyping, revision, and improvement. The creation of a tangible 3D model makes this process much more concrete, profound, and accurate. Needed changes are more easily observed through physical orbital observation of the building and its influence upon neighboring structures. When an architect’s concept is manifested in the reality of a 3D model, it may come out different than anticipated, or inspire previously unimagined possibilities.
3D printing also aides in clear communication of intangible ideas between architects, as well as with laypeople (clients/parents). The 3D print becomes a manipulative aide to understanding complex physical and artistic ideas that might otherwise be lost in the un-dynamic and flat nature of 2D drawings and speech.
3D printing is also valuable as a real-world vocational connection to the future of design, architecture, and manufacturing. We are already seeing 3D prints of ears and livers of human tissue in the medical field, 3D printing of precious metals, made-to-order or custom prints for commercial products, chocolate prints as cake toppers and custom candy, the invention of self-repairing pipes and bulletproof cloth by modifying shape-structures on 3D printed items, nano-printing, etc. The sky is the limit and new inventions are created on 3D printers daily.
How to 3d print
1. Draw building on Sketch-Up
*Make sure it is a solid with no holes (perhaps load the
extension "Solid Inspector 2 from the Extension Warehouse,
& run each model through)
2. Export file as an .STL file (can be read by 3D printers)
*Load SketchUp Extension "STL Import & Extport)
**see below
3. Open/adjust file in 3D printer's "slicer" software *(converts file to printable layers)
(ex. Simplify3d or Flashforge Print)
4. Print
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RECOMENDATIONS FOR SCHOOL 3D PRINTING:
*Filament type: I recommend using PLA (biodegradable corn-based plastic) filament
for school use.
-It has MUCH less odor than ABS (which smells toxic when printing)
-It prints at a lower temperature
-It prints sharper with finer detail
-PLA does not shrink & bend with cooling like ABS
-It requires much cheaper tape (blue masking tape),
usually with a light spray of Aqua Net Super-Hold hairspray
*Slicer software:
-BEST: Simplify3d *costs $150, but rates best
-OK: Flashforge Print (free with printer) is good, but has difficulty recognizing some architectural features (columns, thin walls)
>some slicer errors may be corrected by modifying/simplifying
the original SketchUp file, but this can be cumbersome
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*Print PLA at 180-210 degrees celsius, build platform temperture
50 degrees C, or not heated at all
*Print PLA with covers open & printer fans on
*Re-Level the built platform often (several times between prints-
each adjustment effects others)
*We have had good experience with Flashforge printers and
Hatchbox filaments (via Amazon)
*You'll need some tools: metal spatula, craft knife, tweezers,
blue painter's tape (kapton tape if using ABS)
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TROUBLESHOOTING (3d printer errors- spaghetti prints)
-is the build-plate level in the printer?
-do you need new tape
(maybe scratch it up with sand paper it, and/or add hairspray)
-is model touching the "ground" (bed)?
-is the slicer set to the correct type of plastic filament (PLA, ABS, etc.)
-does the design have cantilevers that need supports added?
3D printers require your creations be one continuous solid,
and an .stl format file.
and an .stl format file.
1. Easiest Method:
a. on SketchUp toolbar
- go to EXTENSION WAREHOUSE
a. on SketchUp toolbar
- go to EXTENSION WAREHOUSE
b. search for STL- download SketchUp STL
c. After making a model:
Highilght all of model: go to EDIT--> INTERSECT FACES--->
WITH SELECTION
-GROUP what you want to print
(HIGHLIGHT, then pull down EDIT-->
MAKE GROUP)
***HINT: makes a better STL file if
solid (filled in)
***Helpful to clean student models prior to exporting to STL using SketchUp Extension: CleanUp3
-Also need to install TT_Lib2 for it to work
Then....
d. Finally- Pull Down header FILE--------> EXPORT STL
*(only present IF downloaded the STL
extension from the Extension Warehouse (see above)
-Also need to install TT_Lib2 for it to work
Then....
d. Finally- Pull Down header FILE--------> EXPORT STL
*(only present IF downloaded the STL
extension from the Extension Warehouse (see above)
*Your 3D printable STL file will save where you choose
2. Another Easy Method:
*NEW: SketchUp allows you to convert files to 3D printer (.stl) format if you share them the the "Get-Model Warehouse":
*NEW: SketchUp allows you to convert files to 3D printer (.stl) format if you share them the the "Get-Model Warehouse":
by David McDavitt, M.Ed.