Welcome Grade 8 French Students!

Grade 8 French Technology Students are printing wheels to use in their technology projects. We had a short window of time to show them how their files were loaded into the 3D Printer and a slow computer caused us to run out of time.

We discussed what the printer looked like, how it basically worked, the PLA plastic we use and it's advantages/limitations, and looked at sample projects printed by grade 8s. We used those to talk about production considerations with this type of printing (time and resources required, the need for additional printed supports and post-processing for some projects).

The continuation of the process can be found below. Students are welcome to drop in later to see the printing in progress:

This is the .stl mesh file loaded in Ultimaker Cura. It has been set at 15% infill with other standard settings. This job will take about 10 hours. The optimal application temperature for the plastic we are using is 220 so the nozzle was set at that temp. The bed, where the project is printed, was set to 65 degrees Celsius. That allows for better adhesion during construction. The difference in temperature after cooling makes it easier to remove the project from the bed. Conversion of the file for printing is called SLICING.

The file is loaded onto a micro SD card. It has no been converted into "G-CODE" that the printer understands. More detail on that is provided below.

The card is inserted into the printer

The printer is set to the HOME position. G-Code: The printer essentially knows the following: temperature, on, off, Left/Right (x-axis), Forward/Back (y-axis), Up/Down (z-axis). Here, it is being set to the "HOME position. The mesh, plus the calculated infill of 15%, will be printed exactly as it was on the screen. A "RAFT" was also added to the bottom. This will ensure even adhesion to the heated printing surface and avoid warping.

Printing in progress. First, the RAFT is being printed. This particular vertical printing process will take about 10 hours.

Going Farther!

You MAY be a member of a small business, corporation, interest group or other organization viewing this blog after learning about 3D Printing @ Crescent.

At Crescent Collegiate, our teachers are dedicated to the motivation, enrichment and learning of our students - just like other teachers across the globe.

Emerging technologies continually challenge us. Maintaining student attention and keeping our teaching current demands that we acquire and employ new technologies continually.  We are fortunate to enjoy a high degree of support at the district and provincial level with respect to internet connectivity, productivity/classroom management software, and trades education funding.  Like many teachers, however, WE want to do MORE for our children.

One approach supported by our school is the employment of 3D printing in the curriculum. We ARE doing MORE but we are OUTGROWING the resources that we have.

This blog illustrates only a taste of the progress we have made in classroom enrichment with the donation of a 3D printer through Brilliant Labs.

If you are visiting this blog in response to grant applications or other inquiries we have made to your organization, WELCOME. Look around! If you have stumbled upon us, please consider what your organization can do to help us further our goals that match your own vision of community support.

Please email any inquiries to Craig Cook - craigcook@nlesd.ca

Thanks for dropping by!