@Cubify Draw app for #3DPrinting with iPad
I stumbled across Cubify Draw app for iPad earlier today… Just had to download it!
My initial thoughts were that it is very simple… Perhaps too simple but maybe this will develop over time. I then went on to start thinking about how this could be used in schools. And my thoughts instantly went towards primary school age children. What a fantastic way to get them to doodle an idea and start 3D printing on a Cube or Cubex printer within minutes of getting started… And no complicated CAD to get involved with.
Being so simple it will be necessary to think carefully about what the kids can design but instantly I was drawn towards the idea of personalised bespoke biscuit (cookie) cutters and the like. (I must be hungry whist writing this for my mind to wander towards food again!)
Anyway, I've had an initial try out with the app and can't wait to try printing some objects.
Posted with Blogsy#3DPrinting Learning Hub
At my school we run termly (6 times a year) Learning Hub meetings. These allow teachers from Clevedon and Gordano schools to learn new things about teaching and learning and share ideas.
This evening was my turn to host a Hub meeting. Not only were there teachers from the usual two schools but we were also joined by teachers from Nailsea School's D&T department. And of course the theme was about 3D printing.
We were also lucky enough to have Iain Major from 3D Systems come along to help out.
The session started with a presentation about 3D printing both in school and how it is related to what is happening in industry, fashion, medicine etc. The delegates then created their own designs using the Cubify web apps…. And of course then had the opportunity to print these using Cube printers.
The session that started at 4pm was due to finish at 5.15pm, but the last people left well after 7pm…. I think they enjoyed it and were captivated by the technology!
And here is a video taken from the presentation.
Before finishing this post I must thank the 10+ visitors from Gordano and Nailsea Schools and of course staff from my own department who stayed too. And also a huge thank you to Iain Major from 3D Systems for bringing along another Cube 3D Printer, joining in the conversations and helping most of the delegates with printing their designs created using the Cubify Web apps.
UWE and @ClevedonDT students working together. Recycling and #3DPrinting
This evening a group of D&T students were able to work with Sam Millington a BSc Product Design Student from UWE (University of the West of England, Bristol, UK).
Sam has designed and made a prototype “Filament Extruder” for his final project. This machine takes ground up pieces of plastic from milk bottles (and/or other plastic recyclables) and makes new filament (rolls of plastic) to use in a 3D Printer.
Our students were able to discuss with Sam how he went about designing and making his degree project, and how the filament extruder might be used in schools. The students explored how the machine might be supplied to schools as a kit and how this could help students to understand how plastics can be (and are) recycled. Some interesting discussion took place about how students might form teams in their D&T lessons to build a machine, set up a company to collect and recycle scrap plastics and make 3D printed objects from the plastic to sell. A really cool Eco friendly project that if supported by teaching and learning resources would be interesting for schools teaching STEM.
We all wish Sam good luck in the final development of his filament extruder… And of course good luck with the work for his degree!
STEM Challenge Day
Today our some of our Year 8 students took part in a STEM Challenge… Which included designing, making and testing a mini “supersonic” car… A bit like the Bloodhound SSC car that is being built in Bristol- to try to break the land speed record and achieve 1000mph.
The students also had the opportunity to make a presentation of their work to Iain Major, a visiting engineer from a company called 3D Systems… The local branch of the international company that designed and makes the Cubify Cubex and Cube 3D printers.
The students started the day being briefed about the challenge, organising themselves into teams and planning how to tackle the challenge.
Setting up at the start of the day…
Planning and research…also using iPads and the Bloodhound SSC augmented reality app
Getting on with some making! Amazingly some students wouldn't leave at break and lunch time… They wanted to carry on with the challenge.
Finding out about 3D printing… 3D printing has been used in developing some of the parts of the real Bloodhound project… Here the students are printing mini 3D models of Bloodhound using the new Cube printer.
The teams testing their models… They had to work out how to do this themselves. And of course do the Maths. They then compared their results to the speeds recorded with a data logger and light gate.
Some of the model cars.
And in this photo we can see some of the teams doing presentations of their work to Iain Major … The engineer from 3D Systems. Iain kindly gave the students feedback on their designs and presentations.
So, it was an absolutely fantastic day with students and teachers from D&T, Science and Maths all working together.
And of course we must thank Iain from 3D Systems for coming along to support us.
…. And next??… Watch out for our year 9 STEM challenge day later in the summer with the whole year group!
Supersonic Car
In a couple of weeks time I am going to run a STEM day for some of our year 8 students. The day is intended to be a pilot for another STEM day later in the year for the whole of year 9.
During the pilot project we are intending to set the students a “team challenge”… To design and make a rocket powered model car, measure the average speed along a course (they will have to work out how to do that themselves!), do a mini research project, and make a presentation to the whole group.
Of course it's likely that Bloodhound SSC will crop up sometime during the day… So I thought I would see if I could 3D print a model of the Bloodhound car using a Cube 3D printer.
Here are the models I produced… One about 60mm long and the larger one 115mm.
… Wonder if showing the students this will inspire any of them to use 3D printed parts in the design of their rocket powered cars?
Teaching and learning resources for #3Dprinting
Check out my new site for FREE teaching and learning resources and projects for 3D printing.
Click here 3D Printing Education Resources
Great for use with Cubex and Cube 3D printers (and others).
Buggy wheels… #3DPrinting with a Cube (time lapse)
I have just put together a Picaxe (microcontroller) buggy for use with my students next term… Needed some better wheels! So….
I decided to go through the complete process to design and make some new wheels. I started with creating a design using the Cubify Invent CAD software. This software is really looking good, no frills and simple enough for students to get the hang of. The stl file was processed in the Cube software (only 7 mouse clicks!) and sent by Wi-Fi.
20 minutes later….
And I couldn't resist using my iPad to record the whole process in a video… Including a time lapse sequence of the actual print taking place.
Another great project for my students in school?!
