1. 3D Printing for Middle Schools
Integrating 21st Century Technology into the Middle School Curriculum

2. What is 3D Printing?
the action or process of making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by laying down many thin layers of a material in succession.
"if you use 3D printing for prototypes you will simply be able to go to market faster“
Source: Google Dictionary
Although 3D printing is commonly thought of as a new ‘futuristic’ concept, it has actually been around for more than 30 years.
SLA-1, the first 3D printer invented by Chuck Hull in You may find some disagreement with this. For example, some people say that the Japanese developed the 1st process in 1981.
Chuck Hull invented the first 3D printing process called ‘stereolithography,’ in It is now commonly known as “STL” In a patent, he defined stereolithography as ‘a method and apparatus for making solid objects by successively “printing” thin layers of the ultraviolet curable material one on top of the other’. This patent only focuses on ‘printing’ with a light curable liquid, but after Hull founded the company ‘3D Systems’, he soon realized his technique was not limited to only liquids, expanding the definition to ‘any material capable of solidification or capable of altering its physical state’. With this, he built the foundation of what we now know today as additive manufacturing (AM) – or 3D printing.

3. Chuck Hull’s Printer
Source: 9/4/2017

4. What is 3D Printing? (continued)
The manufacturing of a three- dimensional product from a computer driven digital model. This process may be additive (as well as subtractive in nature and form). Multiple layers from CAD (computer-aided design) drawings are laid down one after another to create different shapes.
Source: 9/4/2017

5. Uses for 3D Printing Construction Industry Medical Industry
Industrial Design
Architecture
Engineering
Education
Artwork
Jewelry
It is truly only limited by a person’s imagination
The uses for 3D printing is only limited to your imagination and the capabilities of the machine you are using.
Industries that use the 3D printers include engineering, architecture, medical, industrial design, construction, and many others.

6. Implementation in the Classroom
Selection of a 3D Printer.
Cost
Single Head vs. Dual Head
Heated Buildplate vs. Non-Heated Buildplate.
Material
The selection of a 3D printer for the classroom is only limited by your budget. You can purchase classroom models for as little as $ and over $5,000.
I have learned from experience that the “Name Brand” is not always the best for the classroom. I currently have 4 printers in my classroom. 2 are single head and 2 are dual head printers. If I could do it over again I would invest in single head printers only for the classroom.
Less Maintenance
Cheaper to Purchase
Easier to Set Up and keep operating.
Demonstrate the process of 3D printing. The disadvantage is you do not get the “WOW Factor” found in using a Dual Head Printer.
Neither printer works properly if the buildplate is not level. It takes more time to level the build plate on a dual head printer. Both print heads must be level to the build surface. It takes more effort to keep the buildplate level on the dual head printer.
Buildplates may be heated and non-heated. There are advantages to both. However, for the classroom, I prefer the non heated buildplate surface. It is safer for students. The heated buildplates operate at a temperature of between 50 and 120 degrees celsius for the materials I use in the classroom. Both of these temperatures get hot enough to burn you.
The only materials I use are plastics. I use either PLA or ABS plastic. PLA is much cheaper. It costs approximately $30.00 for a roll of PLA compared to $45.00 for a roll of ABS plastic. You need to make sure what type of material your machine needs before purchase.

7. Student Assignments
1. Basic assignment on how to use the software. Students design a cube, place a cylinder on the cube, place a hole in the cylinder, place their initials on the cube and extrude their initials from the side of the cube.
Students must measure, draw and design their own cellphone charging station within provided limitations
3. Students may draw and design anything they wish as long as it is within the assigned dimensions and other parameters.

8. Curriculum Connections
Math – Geometry, Primitive Shapes
Measurement: Metric and Metric Measurement
Conversion.
Production Cost: Business Marketing.
Design
Art
Science: Chemical Properties, Strength of materials.
Computer Science: Video, animation software. Developing new software skills.

9. Software Sources www.tinkercad.com 123 D Design Software AutoCad
SketchUp
Solidworks
MeshMixer
These are a few of the available 3D softwares for 3D design. I’m not familiar with all of them. In my class, my students use Tinkercad and 123D Design Software. However, I believe Autodesk is phasing out the 123D software. I like Tinkercad for teaching beginners. It is cloud based. It has several tutorials built in to assist in teaching the students how to use the software.

10. 3D Scanners
We do not use a scanner in my classroom. Even though they have improved in the last couple of years, most people I speak with still do not like the quality you receive from the scanner.

11. SLICERS
Slicer software cuts the 3D object into layers in order to allow for 3D Printing. It will tell the computer how many layers, how thick to print each layer, the tool paths, and other needed details in order to create the object.
Most printers come with their own slicer design software.

12. Personal Fabrication Era
Much like the industrial revolution, the iron age, etc. many people are considering our current time as being the “Personal Fabrication Era.” The Personal Fabrication Era indicates our ability to design and create items on the computer then make them on a 3D printer.

13. Examples of Student Work

14. Sources of Additional Information
what-is-3d-printing
the-smart-persons-guide/