As a class activity we are going to explore 3D printing and ways it can be used in every day life and in the classroom. Lets start with a brief introduction to 3D printing
3D printing starts with making a computer model of what you want to create. This can be done by designing something new or even by scanning an existing object. It could even some day be possible to take pictures of something with your phone and send it directly to your 3D printer, how cool is that!?
Our printer uses plastic to print our objects but not all machines do that, remember the printed house in the video? We are limited only by our imagination. This process is called an additive process because we are adding the material, so what do you think a subtractive process would be?..
Subtractive is when the object is sculpted by a larger piece, just like making a statue from a large piece of stone, the sculptor removes material until a statue is created.
Our printer uses plastic to print our objects but not all machines do that, remember the printed house in the video? We are limited only by our imagination. This process is called an additive process because we are adding the material, so what do you think a subtractive process would be?..
Subtractive is when the object is sculpted by a larger piece, just like making a statue from a large piece of stone, the sculptor removes material until a statue is created.
This video shows us some pretty amazing things that can be done with 3D printing. While this may be new to you I can assure you that this emerging technology will become more and more familiar to you as the years go by.
For this example we are going to use a software package called TinkerCAD.
This is the same company that makes autocad, the same program engineers and architects use to make even the most complex machines and buildings. These people know what they are doing, the skills you learn today will be very useful in the future so pay close attention.
One thing to keep in mind is that when creating objects you can combine and manipulate many simple shapes to create a bigger one. Here is a fun example of how using simple shapes put together can create more complex creations like our friend R2-D2.
The relationship between molecules can sometimes be hard to understand on paper. Science teachers will often times use 3d models of molecules to better explain how things are shaped and why behave in different ways.
Water is the most unique of all. It is both an acid and a base, it has a really high billing point compared to liquids with a similar weight. Water is called the universal solvent because it dissolves salts and other ionic compounds, as well as polar covalent compounds such as alcohols and organic acids. Much of these properties are present because of it’s unique shape. Water has a 104.5 degree bond angle as opposed to the 109.5 we see in most bent molecules.
For this project we are going to print a bohr model of water molecule.
For this project we are going to print a bohr model of water molecule.
Notice that our print has moving parts fresh off the press. This is one of the best parts of 3D printing, it has the ability to print complex intertwined parts. It may not sound like a big deal but it is, this changes much of what was possible to make, paving the way for future innovation!
Other things you can do with 3D printing.
Lets take a look at some things people have done to incorporate 3D printing into their everyday lives.
Combine a power and usb c plug for a laptop
3D Printed Pencil Holder