The introductory project for Creator's Studio this semester is the design of a personal fidget spinner using Tinkercad, our 3D printers, and skateboard bearings. Prior to the start of the course, I created a variety of spinners to test out shape, weight, and overall design options. Students explored these models as they tested what design elements appealed to them, what worked well, what didn't work, and then started preliminary sketches for their own design. When we return to school next week, they will take their designs into Tinkercad.
An enjoyable aspect of this project is the integration of 3D printed material with other real world parts, and the precise measurements required to make everything work together. It's one thing to design a stand-alone 3D printed object, when size and dimensions are somewhat arbitrary. When the model becomes part of a larger project that requires interaction with existing components, the stakes are raised for accuracy and purposeful design. I will share student designs in a future post.
In the meantime, students are also researching ideas for their personal project (Project #2) which will take the remainder of the semester to complete. As is the case every term, I am excited for what students will find interesting, and where their passions will take them.
Below is a short clip of one of my designs, and a link to our tutorials.
An enjoyable aspect of this project is the integration of 3D printed material with other real world parts, and the precise measurements required to make everything work together. It's one thing to design a stand-alone 3D printed object, when size and dimensions are somewhat arbitrary. When the model becomes part of a larger project that requires interaction with existing components, the stakes are raised for accuracy and purposeful design. I will share student designs in a future post.
In the meantime, students are also researching ideas for their personal project (Project #2) which will take the remainder of the semester to complete. As is the case every term, I am excited for what students will find interesting, and where their passions will take them.
Below is a short clip of one of my designs, and a link to our tutorials.
| |  Tinkercad tutorial videos are available here at Creator's Studio. Click on the above image to view them. |
