Lesson Plan 1 – Think, Type, Print

me3d.com.au

Objective Learn about the rapid creation of 3D files through basic text manipulation in MatterControl, assessment of slice settings, generation of g-code and the production of a 3D printed object. No previous experience is required. This lesson enables students to quickly create a unique thing, print it and discuss the design aspects during the printing. Students will walk away from the lesson with a 3D printed text object designed specifically for use in their home or garden.

Time 25-40 minutes

Materials 1. Laptop with MatterControl for Me3D installed 2. Me2 3D printer 3. PolyPlus, PolyMax, PolyFlex or PolyWood

material

Number of Students Ideally not more than 3 per machine. 12 students per facilitator.

Introduction 5-10 min

1. Discuss with students their experiences with creating a 3D printable part, what have been the stumbling blocks so far.

2. Look around and give examples of physical text in the room, as standalone parts or as features on something.

3. Now get the students to give you examples of how they might use physical text parts in day to day life.

4. Write several of these on a display area and group them to help generate ideas of what else, ie. signs, warning labels, directions. For talking points consider uses around the home or for the garden or pets.

Execution 15-20 mins (See detail)

5. Divide the class into groups, typically no more than 2-3 students around each 3D printer and Computer. 6. The text generation process can overlap the printing process of each student ie Student #1 completes the

text generation process and begins to print, while student #2 and #3 completes the text generation steps. Encourage each team to record how long each step took and what roadblocks they had for discussion later.

Discussion 5-10 mins 7. As each student finishes their print they should display their printed part with the group and explain what it

is for and how they might do it differently next time ie. did all the letters stay together, are they easy to read, what if someone read it backwards.

8. Once most of the products have been completed, discuss the general features of the parts, what were the limitations of the process, did anyone find neat work-arounds.

9. Discuss what other features you could add onto the text to make it more functional ie. hooks, loops, spike clip-on holder, Lego interface – but that’s for next time.

Homework

Look around the home and consider how other physical text could be used and what added design features it would

need to be functional.

Example Print

Lesson Plan 1 – Think, Type, Print

me3d.com.au

Execution Detail

Open MatterControl for Me3D and click “Create”

on the bottom left of the window. This opens the

"Design tool" window, select the “Text Creator”

Type your text into the entry box and hit “Insert”,

to modify the text just modify the entry box and

hit “insert” again, several limited options are

available to customise the file.

By first selecting the move tool (finger with the spot) you can move each letter around individually if you want to.

Clicking "Insert" again will reset any changes and replace the text.

When you are happy with the layout, just click “SAVE and EXIT” and the file will be added to the print queue.

If you have a number of students working on each printer it’s important that the first student creates and starts their file quickly. Ideally named “Bob” or “Mel”

Lesson Plan 1 – Think, Type, Print

me3d.com.au

Ideal print settings

With every task being a little different, we

always encourage you to review the print

settings before each print.

We suggest 0.1-0.2mm layer height, 2

perimeters, 10% triangular infill and 3 layers

top/bottom.

This will be strong enough and quick.

Have the students check the simulation to

make sure it looks correct.

Double check the print doesn’t run too long,

suggest they shrink it.

Have the students find the file in the queue

and press Print.

The print should take around ~10min.

Lesson Plan 1 – Think, Type, Print

me3d.com.au

Extensions

If you have some students that feel text is a little too dull for them, with this same set of tools you

can also do something a little fancier. Beyond the letters and numbers you can find on your

keyboard, the text entry box also accepts the full set of ascii codes that can be used for alternate

characters, for example, holding “ALT” while typing “3” on the number pad produces a love

heart ♥, and similarly "ALT+1" produces a smiley face . A list of these codes can be found on the

web by searching “ascii code” or “alt code”.

The text files can also be combined with other simple files like a hook, or a loop. Although there are better

ways to do this, these added features can be dropped in by editing the part after it has been saved.