Intro to 3D Printing

Intro to
3D Printing

Welcome to Mission 3. Here you will learn how to turn 3D models into real-life objects using 3D printing.

Last lesson, you learned all about 3D modeling by completing a few tutorials on Tinkercad. In this lesson, we'll learn how to take those awesome Tinkercad models and 3D print them in plastic. 

Hey, welcome back!

Poll

Warm up:  How would you make a 3-inch-tall flower using only cake icing?

• One way to make a 3-inch tall flower using cake icing is to stack the icing layer by layer.

• You can't make 3D shapes like flowers using icing.

One way to make a 3-inch tall flower using cake icing is to stack the icing layer by layer. This process is actually very similar to 3D printing!

For this lesson, you will need:

• A laptop/tablet

• Paper, scissors, pencil, ruler in millimeters

• A Tinkercad account

• A 3D Printer

Materials:

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Define 3D printing and its best practices.

• Create a 3D model of a school ring (Spartans).

• Export and slice your ring for 3D printing.

Mission Objectives:

Video: What is 3D Printing

Watch the following video to learn the basics of 3D Printing: How 3D Printers Work. Then, complete the knowledge check question. The video is not available in quizizz, watch this video in Canvas).

STOP! before going to the next question watch this video in Canvas.

​If you're in Canvas look above this presentation for this video. WATCH it first then answer the question in the next slide.

Multiple Choice

Knowledge Check: How is 3D printing different from sculpting stone?

• 3D printing is a subtractive process: you start with a big block of material and chip away at it until you have the desired shape.

• 3D printing is an additive process: you start with nothing and then create your shape by adding material one layer at a time.

3D printing is a technology that turns 3D computer models into real-life objects by stacking layers of melted plastic on top of each other. It can be used to quickly test out ideas, create custom jewelry or medical devices, and bring your wildest ideas to life!

Video: 3D Printing Best Practices

3D computer models don’t always work well on 3D printers.  Watch the video "5 Tips to Start Designing your Own 3D Printed Parts" to learn about 3D modeling best practices and how to avoid failed prints. You will answer questions as we watch the video. The video is not available in quizizz, please look at the SMART Board(or in Canvas).

STOP! before going to the next question watch this video in Canvas.

​If you're in Canvas look above this presentation for this video. WATCH it first then answer the questions in the next few slides.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following Adds stability to your part while it prints.

• Avoid overhangs and bridges

• Use a Flat Base

• Layer direction

• Keep size in mind

Multiple Choice

Plastic filament can’t float in mid-air! Choose the tip that can help with this.

• Use a Flat Base

• Layer direction

• Avoid overhangs and bridges

• Keep size in mind

Multiple Choice

What Makes your part stronger?

• Layer direction

• Use a Flat Base

• Avoid overhangs and bridges

• Keep size in mind

Multiple Choice

Too-small features won’t show up, too large won’t fit in the printer. THEREFORE...

• Avoid overhangs and bridges

• Layer direction

• Be patient and iterate!

• Keep size in mind

Multiple Choice

TinkerCAD makes designs easy to tweak and reprint until your design is perfect. YOU JUST NEED TO...

• Avoid overhangs and bridges

• Layer direction

• Be patient and iterate!

• Keep size in mind

Always design 3D models with a flat base, avoid overhanging or bridged features, make sure your features aren’t too big or too small and don’t be afraid to change your design and print it again!

Knowledge Check!
Will it print?

Next, review the 3D models below to determine if they are designed well for 3D printing. Select "yes" or "no".

Multiple Choice

Is this part designed well for 3D Printing?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this part designed well for 3D Printing?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this part designed well for 3D Printing?

• Yes

• No

When your ring is complete, use the "Send To" button in Tinkercad to download a PNG screenshot of your design. This is what you will submit on Canvas.

Additionally, use the "Export" button to download an STL file of your design. The STL file is what you will use to 3D print your project!

Multiple Choice

In order to download a picture of your design to turn in to Canvas, you need to press...

• Export

• Send To

• Import

• Print

Multiple Choice

When you press on Export, what type of file do you need to select so that your design can be 3D printed?

• PDF

• OBJ

• STL

• SVG

Open Ended

LAST QUESTIONS: Tell me 2 things you learned about 3D Printing in this Mission.

[Answer in complete sentences, at least 1 complete sentence for each of the 2 things you learned]

Great Work!
You learned about 3D printing and designed your school ring using Tinkercad. Remember to submit your picture and STL file on Canvas under "3D Printing ASSIGNMENT". Also, don't forget to answer the reflection questions!