Print it Forward: Learn to build a 3D printer for your classroom!

thingiverse

Our Maker Club designed this 3D printer kit. Build Instructions: https://sites.google.com/a/mrwatt.ca/print-it-forward/ Maker Club CTV Interview: https://youtu.be/y6Btoy-aop0 Students learn about technology by making their own 3D printer then are able to build and donate printer kits to other schools - printing it forward. The concept isn't new, we've tried to create a machine that is simple to build yet reliable. With hands on connections to Math, Science and Technology its a fantastic way to integrate practical learning into the classroom and build connections with other schools and districts. We've had our hands full with this project for over a year helping out numerous schools. Originally we posted it on Youmagine for about a year ago: https://www.youmagine.com/designs/printrbot-labs-kit This started as a riff on the original Printrbot and become something different. Posted here is the most recent iteration that uses hardware spacing from the Printrbot Play. We've recently updated the clearances to help parts print well on a variety of 3D printers. We've had fun with this project, I hope you do too! Demo Print: https://youtu.be/SrXIRCj0axs Printrbot Learn Site: http://learn.printrbot.com/2016/05/19/print-it-forward/ Print Settings Printer Brand: Printrbot Printer: Printrbot Plus Rafts: Doesn't Matter Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.2 Infill: 35% Notes: This printer can be configured by extending its bed to print all of its own printed parts. While this works we use a large printrbot with heated bed to mass produce the components we needed for several schools. It can be printed entirely in PLA but we like to do the extruder and X axis parts in ABS. How I Designed This This design uses many of the same spacing and remixes parts from the Printrbot Play http://printrbot.com/product-category/3d-printers/play-4x4x5/ so all of the upgrades are compatible. Source: https://www.youmagine.com/designs/printrbot-play-components https://www.youmagine.com/designs/printrbot-play-model Remixes of this project: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1741663 Overview and Background 3D printers are expensive and their mechanics can be difficult to understand. This educational project enables students to inexpensively build their own 3D printer and learn about the technology along the way. http://learn.printrbot.com/2016/05/19/print-it-forward/ Lesson Plan and Activity Introduction This is a hands on activity that is divided into 4 parts: Building, Coding, Calibrating and Designing. All materials required are listed in the Bill of Materials: https://sites.google.com/a/mrwatt.ca/print-it-forward/bill-of-materials Audience We've successfully built these printers with middle school and high school students. We donate the printers to local schools that need the tech. Its a great way for teachers and students to connect with other schools in their community. Requirements This project is best when it is student lead, however you need a teacher who knows enough about the technology to help when students are totally stuck. For some this will mean building on yourself before taking on this challenge with a class, for others it will mean reading a few steps ahead to understand what is needed. Building a printer for the first time is hard - I let the kids build, make mistakes and learn - this takes longer but it is also makes it a much richer task. We build our printers after school and it takes about 6-8 one hour meet ups to get one printing - it would be faster if we weren't having so much fun. The project can be appended or expanded depending on your learning goals. Build Instructions This is an experiential lesson. Build instructions can be found here: https://sites.google.com/a/mrwatt.ca/print-it-forward/build-instructions They are updated pretty regularly. Feel free to leave a message me if you need anything. Materials Needed This printer can be built for under $300. Printrbot.com carries a kit that we used for many of these builds but they can also be sourced on your own easily online. https://sites.google.com/a/mrwatt.ca/print-it-forward/bill-of-materials