3D 20 Foot Dual Lane Race Track

thingiverse

I created a 20' 3D printed dual lane race track for students to use for K-12 STEAM projects in my school district. Students can design, print, and race their 3D printed cars on the track or you can have students build their cars out of cardboard and use washers to race against each other. Also, students will learn about forces and motion, friction, engineering, data analysis, and math application throughout the whole process. I have students video record with a timer app and record the times through each section of the track. Students will then graph their results and find ways to increase their speed and decrease their track times. Print Settings Printer: Flashforge Creator Pro Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: Normal Infill: 20% Notes: I used PLA to print all of the parts. Post-Printing Step 1: Print 42 main track sections Step 2: Print 1 Down Track Curve Step 3: Print 4 Wooden Rod Base Plates Step 4: Print 4 of the Track Down Ramp Supports Step 5: Take a file and file down all of the T joints on all of the track pieces. Step 6: Assemble the main track sections into 6 connected pieces. Step 7: Use #8-32 x 1-1/2 in overbuilt flat head Phillips screws and #8-32 machine screw nuts to tighten the track pieces together. Step 8: When you connect the down curve piece break off the T joint on the main track piece ( use large pliers) and loosely connect the curve. Step 9: Buy a large 1-1/4 wooden dowel rod from HomeDepot and have it cut into the following measurements: 18 inches, 41 inches, 64 inches, and 87 inches. Step 10: Attack the Down Ramp Support Pieces onto the main track sections and carefully assemble the track from the bottom up. I only used 5 main track pieces when I attached them to the curve piece at the bottom. How I Designed This I used Onshape to design this race track. I have a link which will allow any user to copy, edit, and download the files for the track. If you want to modify it please use the link below and create a free OnShape account. https://cad.onshape.com/documents/bc3b8dab5fc64add49408014/w/3573fd1df50ea19b35d5906f/e/87f03f2a4acd90b5d841caf7 Standards NGSS Overview and Background I created a 20' 3D printed dual lane race track for students to use for K-12 STEAM projects in my school district. Students can design, print, and race their 3D printed cars on the track or you can have students build their cars out of cardboard and use washers to race against each other. Also, students will learn about forces and motion, friction, engineering, data analysis, and math application throughout the whole process. I have students video record with a timer app and record the times through each section of the track. Students will then graph their results and find ways to increase their speed and decrease their track times. Lesson Plan and Activity Lesson Plan Step 1: have student measure the track with calipers and use cardboard, hot glue, washers, and nails to construct a prototype. Step 2: students race their cars, record their track times with video timer app on the smartphone or tablet. Step 3: students will then use either Tinkercad or Onshape to design their car bodies, wheels, and axles. Step 4: students will then race their cars, experiment with different weight settings, different wheel diameters and thicknesses, and chart their data on a spreadsheet to find the best possible design. Step 5: students will test different weight locations and they are limited to 150 gram weight setting. Step 6: encourage students to design one wheel, two wheel, three wheel, and four wheel cars. Materials Needed PLA Filament, Calipers, 3D Printer, Screwdriver, 100 #8-32 1-1/2 inche screws, drill, wooden dowel rod, wooden base plates, and 100 #8-32 machine nuts. Skills Learned 3D Modeling 3D Printing Geometry Math and science Engineering Data Analysis Duration of Lesson 2 Weeks-9 Weeks Preparation Print and assemble the track first.