Exercise: Container Project

Description

In this multi-step exercise you will designing an object that will be printed using the 3D printer.

Designing involves a series of steps or phases. The steps make up the design process. The design process includes: 1.) understanding and defining the problem to be solved, 2.) investigating possible solutions, 3.) selecting the optimal solution, 4.) modeling or visualizing the solution, 5.) refining the solution. If you successfully complete this exercise, you will have done all five.

Objectives/Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Students will acquire and demonstrate:1.) technical competency in using software to solve a problem, 2.) sense of craft through precision and care in the presentation of the work, 3.) design aptitude in the ability to solve an organization problem and explore possible solutions, 4.) judgment in the formal articulation of a three-dimensional object and composition of two-dimensional drawings and images within a field. 5.) consideration of limitations and constraints in the problem solving process.

Part 1

CP.1.1. Review the problem limitations and conditions as described below:

The container must be no larger than 3.5" x 3.5" x 3.5".
The container must be able to hold something liquid or solid. Consumable (food or drink) contents are not recommended.
We must be able to open and close the container.

CP.1.2. Decide what your container will contain. Keep the constraints above in mind.

CP.1.3. Next complete some research on other containers that hold the item(s) you have chosen or something similar. In Google or other search tools find images for 4 of these objects. Save the images to your desktop or usb drive.

CP.1.4. Visit Thingverse. Thingverse is a website for sharing digital design files. You will find designs for many objects that can be printed with a 3D printer. Find 4 images of objects that have features you feel that you may be able to use for the design of your container. Those features be the way that a container opens or closes, the way that similar objects are contained with the object, or some other feature that might be applicable to your design.

CP.1.5. Create a folded in your Google Drive folder called {Item(s)]_Container_Research. Upload the images to your Google Drive folder. If you are going to design a container that holds soap, you would name your folder Soap_Container_Research.

Part 2

CP.2.1. Once you have have gotten some feedback from your instructor create at least three drawings (sketches in pencil or pen on paper) showing how your container might work.

CP.2.2. Scan the drawings and upload them to your Google Drive folder.

CP.2.3. Bring them to class and discuss them with your instructor.

Part 3

CP.3.1. Based on the discussion with your instructor, choose one of the proposals to develop further.

CP.3.2. Open a new file, save it and name it with your name followed by container_1.

CP.3.3. Discuss with the instructor the methods of 3D modeling that you plan to use to model the container. There are many ways in which to model, but some may be more appropriate or useful than others.

CP.3.4. Model the container. As you model, it is recommended that you save copies with different names. The reason for this is that some steps are difficult to undo when you are working in 3D. You may want to go back a few steps and begin from that point. It is also recommended that you generate layers to isolate construction lines and lines of the actual container. After you have completed a few steps, save the file. Then save as the next version, for example [your name]_container_2.

You can also complete a few operations and make a copy of the object inside the file.

Regardless, save frequently.

CP.3.5. Review your model with the instructor in class.

CP.3.6. Make revisions as necessary.

CP.3.7. Prepare your model for 3D printing. Thaw and turn on all layers. Erase everything but the container you plan to print. Make sure that joined parts are unioned together. If you have parts in your model that should not be joined, leave them as separate pieces.

CP.3.8. Upload your file to the Google Drive.

CP.3.9. Make a 3D print of your model.

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