// Roundup //

Last week we printed our Grab Bag Noun Tinkercad project. Today’s assignment included bringing your final print of your grab bag noun to class today to present.  In addition, you will be presenting your 25 Tinkercad objects and your Tinkercad Design Group Project progress reports.  You were supposed to have something ready to print that is either an initial design or a test part of an initial design.

// Today: Lots of Tinkercad //

  • Class Discussion: Present your first iteration of your Tinkercad Design Project (in groups).  What are you thinking of designing (this may change during the course of the project), why are you designing it, and how does it fit the design challenge?  What are some of the issues you anticipate having with this design?  What design did you come to class with today?  Please also present your blog entry to the class.
  • You may need to make a few changes before printing, if so, do that now.
  • Download the STL files for each model, and start your test-prints/iterations.  (Instructions for printing can be found in Week 2: First Prints.)
  • Class Discussion: Present your finished Grab Bag Noun print and your 25 objects that you loaded onto one page in the class Tinkercad account (jmu3spacef17@gmail.com).
  • Don’t Forget: Best Practices for Finishing Prints: Your print is over, but there’s still lots to do…
    • Remove your completed print from the printer. It may be easier after the platform cools a bit.
    • Clean up any rafts or supports on your model.
    • Take a photo of your print! We have a class iPad if you don’t have a good phone camera. You’ll need this photo for a future blog post and to post a “Make” on Thingiverse.
    • Print a Level Test (“Dragon Curve” or “Ultimaker X”) to show the next user that the printer is still leveled and ready. If your Level Test does not print successfully, then cancel the print and leave a note on the printer.
    • If your print does not finish before the end of class, leave a note with your name, contact info, and estimated completion time.
  • Class Discussion: If it finishes printing in time, show your printed Tinkercad model to the class.  How did it print or fail to print?  What changes will you make?

// For Next Time //

For homework you’ll continue to iterate your Tinkercad Design Project and document your work in a blog post; see the Assignments page for details. You will also be downloading, installing, and experimenting with our next program: Fusion 360.  Remember, this is a professional level design program, something Tinkercad is most definitely not; it is a lot more powerful but has a steep learning curve.  Please do take advantage of the internet and, in particular, youtube when the program causes difficulties.