UNIT 2: 3D printing in classroom

3D printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control, with material being added together, typically layer by layer.

2.2.1 What is it?

3D printing is an additive manufacturing technology in which a model is recreated live and in color, in three dimensions, through layers of material. In this sense, molds are not needed and figures, from the simplest to the most complex, can be reproduced quickly and cheaply.

2.2.2 Why use it?

3D printing offers students the ability to develop their own projects, from the model design stage to the actual creation of the model. This creates both excitement and a better understanding of the design process. 3D printing brings the world of theory into the physical world, where students can see and touch, opening new possibilities for learning and to develop problem-solving skills. 3D printing opens new learning possibilities as it offers the opportunity for students to experiment with ideas and expand their creativity, making them actually active participants through the conception, design and execution of their projects.

Figure 4 – 3D printer

2.2.3 Practical Activity

Purpose: To design a new solution, to be printed in 3D, that makes everyday life smarter and simpler and that, preferably, also contributes to a more ecologically sustainable world.

Task Overview: Divided into groups, 3-4 students, each group is challenged to define a new solution to be printed in 3D. This idea must be smart and simple, but also can contribute to a more sustainable world. To do this, the students must do a project with the following structure: project name; brief description of the idea; justification of the idea; justification of contribution to sustainability and benefits; commercial strategy; product design; use of software for product realization, product printing.

Target students: from 12 to 18 years old

Time: 400’

Materials and Resources: tablets, computers, 3D printer

Exploring the task in the classroom:

Students are presented with the purpose of the task, the results that must be achieved and how the task will be organized.

Students are divided into small groups (3 to 4 elements per group) and each group designs a new solution, to be printed in 3D. This work will be carried out in several stages:

1. Brainstorming to define a new solution;
2. Description of the idea and the justification of it and the contribution to sustainability;
3. Design of the product;
4. Construction of the product using 3D software;
5. Product printing using 3D printing;
6. Name of the project;
7. Commercial strategy (marketing).

Assessment:

Throughout the different stages of the project, the teacher follows the different work of the different groups, monitoring the work developed, giving the necessary feedback to the students to materialize their ideas. At the end, the different groups present each project, and a peer assessment is carried out, according to the following criteria: creativity, relevance of the content and structure of the project.

2.2.4 Glossary

Additive manufacturing – construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control, with material being added together, typically layer by layer.