3D Printing Log
Introduction
In 2022 Aoba's Education Technology Team purchased the parts for and built by hand the school's first dedicated 3D printer, currently located at the A-JIS Bunkyo Campus.
This resource is highly customisable and can be used to produce a wide variety of self-designed (by students or teachers) or pre-existing 3D models for both functional and mechanical purposes as well as in the domain of creative and fine arts.
3D printing is a burgeoning industry that is becoming increasingly important in global manufacturing and supply chains as well as creative and design related fields, with a virtually unlimited number of possible applications, and therefore supports a wide variety of transdisciplinary learning opportunities for Aoba students relating to subjects including design, computer science, architecture, mechanical engineering, fine arts, medical science, agriculture, and much more.
Creality Ender 3 v2
After extensive research, we eventually settled on the Creality Ender 3 v2 as the main "chassis" for our 3D printing initiative.
The Ender 3 v2 is a time tested and reliable 3D platform, as well as highly cost effecting producing high quality, sturdy prints for a reasonable price. The Ender ecosystem of support resources, information, and customisation/extension options is also highly robust which will support the future growth of our 3D printing program as both students and teacher become more familiar and begin pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Projects
Room Occupancy Sign
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1754483
Students and teachers asked about a solution for marking meeting rooms as occupied or available. Because people could not tell if someone was using a room, they would often open the door to check and interrupt the people inside.
Our solution was a simple sign which can be flipped between red and blue text reading "Occupied" and "Welcome".
These can be affixed on or next to meeting room doors.
The Rocktopus
https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/various/the-rocktopus-union3dprinting-3
Now for something a bit more fun.
While 3D printing is highly useful for creating customised, low environmental impact functional and mechanical items, one of its other applications is in sculpture, modeling, and other creative pursuits.
In order to test out the ability of our printer to handle fine details typical in creative arts projects, as well as more complex interlocking design elements (and because we wanted a conversation starter!) we decided to print The Rocktopus.
This model includes both fine sculpture details of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's 3D scanned likeness, as well as a complex, "print in place" interlocking detail for the octopus like tentacle elements.
Tool Holder
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4669250
3D printers require regular maintenance, adjustment and calibration. Specific tools like allen wrenches and a spatula used to remove the prints from the print-bed are used to ensure the printer runs optimally.
Our first functional print was a tool holder that we can use to keep all of the tools needed on the printer itself.
Chess Board
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1732292
As part of initial testing of our new 3D printer, we wanted to calibrate the printers ability to produce accurate interlocking mechanisms, as these are used in a variety of manufacturing applications.
A simple and practical demonstration of this function is a chess or checkerboard design.
Benchy
After a lot of assembly and tweaking, the first print made on our new 3D printer was Benchy. Benchy is a little boat that is specifically designed to test and calibrate 3D printers, and is used around the world for this purpose by both hobbyist and industrial grade 3D printing specialists.
Because 3D printers function by printing layered horizontal lines, and because Benchy is characterised by multiple uneven angles and edges, printing this model is an excellent test of whether a printer has been calibrated correctly.
A poorly calibrated printer will produce a Benchy with jagged, uneven edges.
Luckily, our first print turned out perfect!