Lesson video

Hi there, everyone.

And welcome to your design and technology lesson for today.

My name is Mr. Bood.

It's fantastic that you could join me.

Today, we are gonna be looking at how you can go from computer-aided design to computer-aided manufacturing in Tinkercad.

And we are gonna be looking more specifically at how we can do that through 3D printing.

Today's lesson is part of the Prototypes with Mechanisms, Robotics, and Automation unit.

By the end of today's lesson, I would like you to be able to access, select, and edit existing models in Tinkercad, and then also prepare models for 3D printing.

We have four key words or terms for today.

The first one is CAD, which is, of course, computer-aided design.

The second one is CAM, computer-aided manufacturer.

We have CNC, which is computer numerical control.

And finally, Tinkercad, which is, of course, our online computer-aided design application that we are using.

Two learning cycles for today.

The first one is about accessing and editing gallery models.

Let's have a go.

Tinkercad has a free gallery with thousands of designs.

You can browse, download, edit, and export many models to use in your own projects.

It's a great place to start a new project by exploring what others have made and using their designs for inspiration or even as a starting point, you don't always have to design from scratch.

We already know that because we've got our shapes library that we, of course, have used.

But what we can also do is learn from others because their designs might be complex, and we can learn from those complexities while we're modeling our own designs.

So let's a look at how you can access models in the Tinkercad gallery.

Well, first of all, of course, you need to be logged into Tinkercad.

But then on the dashboard you can see at the top there you have a button called Gallery.

So if we click on that, then what it'll do is it'll open up the community gallery.

Now, if you've designed something and you set it to public in your dashboard, then anybody in the world can also see that design.

Now, don't worry.

They're not gonna take over your design and ruin it.

In order for them to edit it, they've gotta copy and tinker it, which means it makes their own copy, which is what we're gonna do in a moment.

So we're then gonna click on the little Search button, which is the magnifying glass that you can see there in the top right and corner.

And then we can type in any search term to be able to view the models.

And, of course, in this situation, I've just typed in, "Robot." Once we've done that, we can then select the model so we can click on it to select it.

We can then have a closer look at it in the preview screen.

We can even see the person who has designed it and maybe even a little bit more information as well.

And then what we're gonna do is we're gonna click Copy and Tinker so we can create our own.

Then we can open it.

And now we have our own version of these robots, which means we can now edit it and do what we want with it.

Quick check for understanding.

True or false? Models in Tinkercad gallery cannot be edited.

Is that true or false? Pause the video now.

Have a go at this.

Come back to me when you've answered.

It is, of course, false.

Why is that? So can you tell me why? Again, pause the video.

Come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, all models that appear in the Tinkercad gallery can be copied and then edited by yourselves.

Creating complex designs using computer-aided design takes time and skill.

The gallery can help users by giving them access to complex models even if they couldn't design them for themselves.

But what it means is it means we can look at how they were designed.

An existing model could be used to create a moving robot using Sim Lab.

So for example, if you wanted to learn how to use Sim Lab, you might want to go and get someone else's model that they've designed, which has more moving parts than you could design yourself.

You can then teach yourself Sim Lab even better.

Now, as you can see with our robot models we've got here, they can be edited to suit our specification or the user's specification.

And this will save you time and effort.

Now, when you copy a model from the gallery, you can ungroup shapes to see how the original designer created the design.

So for example, if we look at these kind of claw hands of this robot here, you can see they've been made using the tube shape with a box hole cut all the way through.

So for your future designs, if you need to make some kind of claw shape for a robot, you now know how this designer has done it.

By examining existing models, users can learn new CAD skills and also knowledge.

So let's look how you would edit an existing design.

Well first of all, we're gonna select the model that we want to edit.

We then need to click ungroup.

Now, this might need to be repeated if they have grouped multiple shapes together multiple times.

And that is certainly usually the case with really complex models.

You can see Ungroup there, and you might need to do that a number of times.

Once we've done that, we can then select the parts we want to edit.

So for example, in this case, we're gonna select and change the color of some parts.

Or we might want to scale some parts as well.

So for example, this robot now has a slightly large head.

Now, if you are scaling multiple parts, and you want 'em to stay in proportion, that means all the proportions stay the same, then what you can do is hold down Shift while dragging the corner handles, and that will keep what we call the aspect ratio the same of all the models.

And you will see the entire head, the antenna, and the eyes all grow at the same rate.

That's quite a good tip there.

We're now onto your first task for today, Task A.

First I want you to tell me what are the benefits of using existing models from the Tinkercad gallery? Then, I would like you to log into Tinkercad and search the term "Robot" in the Tinkercad gallery.

Select Copy and Tinker to create your own model.

Once you've done that, I then want you to edit the model to change the color, the scale, and the design.

Pause the video now.

Have a go at this task.

Come back to me when you completed it.

So how did you get on? Well, let's have a look at Alex and Jacob's answers.

So the first thing I asked you was what are the benefits of using existing models from the Tinkercad gallery? And you might have said something like, "It can give you ideas for creating designs by ungrouping them and seeing how they were built." Jacob also says, "The gallery can give you ideas by showing examples that work well in Sim Lab, so you can use them to improve your own designs." And I'm sure you've got some fantastic answers as well.

And then, I wanted you to edit your robot, and you need to do it in a number of different ways.

So you can see I've now edited this robot.

It's got a larger head.

We've changed some colors as well.

Well done with that task.

Let's move on.

So we're now onto our next learning cycle, which is all about computer-aided manufacturing.

CAD is an acronym for computer-aided design, which uses digital applications such as Tinkercad, what we've been using, to help produce 3D models of design.

If you're using a computer, and it's helping you design something, well that's computer-aided design.

So I bet you've used lots of other applications that would count towards computer-aided design.

CAM is an acronym for computer-aided manufacture.

This is about using machines to help make parts or products that we've designed in computer-aided design.

And this, of course, includes 3D printers.

And then, how do we control those 3D printers? Well, we do it through what we call CNC? This is an acronym for computer numerical control.

Machines usually using code, or G code as we call it, are controlled to direct machine movements and manufacturing.

Quick check for understanding.

CAM stands for? Is it A, computer and manufacturing? Is it B, computer-aided making? Or is it C, computer-aided manufacturer? Pause the video now.

Have a go at this.

And come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, C, computer-aided manufacturer.

Now, there are many different types of 3D printers in the world today.

They've become very popular.

Most 3D printers in school or kinda hobby machines that we sometimes use, use a process called fused filament fabrication or FFF.

This is where a heated material is passed through a nozzle, building parts layer by layer on a print bed.

Fused filament fabrication.

Let's have a little closer look at what this actually means.

So fused, each layer of the print is fused by heat.

Filament, well, that's the material that we use with fused filament fabrication printers.

And it's usually supplied in a spool.

And then we have fabrication.

Well, this is from the Latin word fabricationem, which means structure, construction, or making.

So that's what it means.

Let's have a look at a diagram of a fused filament fabrication 3D printer.

Now, it's slightly more complex than this, but this is a kind of broken down model so you get an understanding.

So first of all, we have our filament.

Then, we have our print head.

We have our nozzle.

Now, our print head has heating elements inside of it, which we'll have a look at in a moment.

And then the nozzle, usually the standard is 0.

4 millimeters, and that's where the material comes out of.

We then have the model that we're building layer by layer.

We have the print bed, which we're building our model on.

We have the very important Z axis, which every time a layer is built that then drops down slightly or the print head might move up.

Depends what printer you've got.

And then, of course, we have the filament spool.

So that's all the material usually by the side of the machine so we can carry on printing for a long period of time.

So let's have a quick check for understanding on all that.

What I would like you to do is add the missing labels of this fused filament fabrication 3D printer.

Pause the video now.

Have a go at this.

Come back to me when you've got your answers.

So how did you get on? Did you get them all? Well, you should have had the filament, you should have had the nozzle, and also the print bed.

They're the ones that were missing.

Well done.

Now, why is it called 3D printing? Well, it's very simple.

It's because the printer moves in three directions along three axes.

So we have the X axis which tends to run across the front.

We have the Y axis which goes front to back.

And then we have the Z axis, which goes up and down.

And when you see a 3D printer working when it's building, you will see it moving in all three axes.

So this diagram shows a kind of cross-sectional view of how the filament moves through the heaters and the nozzle when we are building our models.

So you can see up here we have a coil or a spool of filament.

The filament is moved through the machine by rollers connected to stepper motors.

So it's very accurate how much filament actually passes through those.

We have the heating elements.

So this is heating our material up anywhere from 100 to possibly over 300 degrees sometimes, depending on your material.

And then, of course, we have the nozzle.

This is the kind of precise part that squirts out the filament very precisely.

And in this case it's a nought 0.

4 millimeter in diameter, which is a standard nozzle size.

And then, of course, we have the print bed which the filament is deposited on where it cools, solidifies, and then, of course, we have our 3D printed model.

Now, when designing models for 3D printing, there are some basic rules.

We call this design for manufacture, and it's important we follow these rules.

Otherwise, your prints will simply fail.

It is quite common misconception that you can print anything on a 3D printer.

But if we're using a fused filament fabrication printer, we need to think very carefully when we are designing to make sure we get what we call a successful print.

Now, here we have a reference model.

You know, if you've ever bought a 3D printer, you might have got one of these with your 3D printer.

It's one of the first things you can print.

And what it does is it checks the capabilities and limitations of fused filament fabrication 3D printers.

We can use to actually inform our designs to help improve the quality of 3D printed models.

So let's have a look at some of the rules that we can take from this reference model.

So let's have a look at some of those basic rules.

So first of all, overhangs.

You should not go over 45 degrees unless you've got some kind of support on that.

Now, as you can see on this reference model, it goes up to 67.

5 degrees, but the quality of the underneath face of that 67.

5 degree part will be reduced because it's printing in midair.

So about 45 degrees is the limitation of most fused filament fabrication machines.

Wall thicknesses as well.

Try and make them double the diameter of the nozzle.

So in this case, 0.

8 millimeters would be the lowest.

But you'll even find that those walls are very flimsy.

They're not very strong.

If you need to put a rod into a hole, so you want some kind of like axle for example, then you need to make sure that the rod is 0.

2 millimeters smaller than the whole diameter.

Otherwise, it will not rotate.

Any less than that, and what's gonna happen is the rod will just get stuck in the hole, and it won't move at all.

If you go the other way and make it too big, it'll just fall out.

So about 0.

2 millimeters smaller works quite well.

Bridges.

So these are where you are going from one area to another.

Try not to go over 10 millimeters without adding support.

And again, you can see there's a 10 millimeter example on this reference model.

And there also is a 20 millimeter example.

And you'll find, again, if you get hold of one of these that's been 3D printed, the underneath of the bridge of the 20 millimeter one, quality will be reduced.

And then, finally, if you are embossing or debossing, so writing anything on your design or anything at all adding images, then what you want to try and do is make sure the thickness, so that is the thickness of, for example, in this case, the lettering is, again, at least double the size of the nozzle diameter.

Quick check for understanding.

What degrees should overhangs not exceed? Is it A, 35, B, 45, or C, 90? Pause the video now.

Have a go at this.

Come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, 45 degrees.

Now, your printer might print at 67.

5, but the quality will be reduced.

90 degrees, it's definitely gonna fail.

Now, if we want to 3D print our models from Tinkercad, we have to go through what we call post-processing, which is another stage.

You can't just simply send your model in Tinkercad to a 3D printer.

It wouldn't know what to do with it.

What we have to do is put it through an application to slice it into all those layers.

What then happens is that application, then, can tell the 3D printer what to do.

Now, there are a number of variables that can be set when slicing the part, but basic settings include the layer height.

0.

16 millimeters for an ultra fine quality.

That will take quite a lot of time to print.

All the way up to things like 0.

28 millimeters for draft quality if you are prototyping.

You can also have infill density.

We wouldn't usually have a solid shape.

Inside, you'll find it's more like a honeycomb.

And we usually set this quite low because you simply just don't need to put material inside because it'll save you material, but it'll also save you print time.

So 15% infill is about a standard.

We also need to think carefully about support structures.

For any overhangs that are greater than 45 degrees, you might need to put support structures in.

I would always recommend that you try not to have a model that needs support structures.

Sometimes it's impossible, but other times you can get away with it by clever positioning of your model or rotating it round when you are slicing it.

And then finally, bed adhesion.

If you've got quite a big model with a big base, you're probably gonna be all right, but that first layer is the most important layer to be printed.

If you don't get that first layer right, you're gonna end up with what we call a bird's nest where it goes wrong, but the machine will carry on printing.

So you need to think about that first layer, skirts, and brims. And you'll see all that in your slicing software.

Now, most slicing applications have basic settings, and you're absolutely fine to use those.

And this is where you basically set it by a print quality, and then it will assign all the variables itself.

And you can check for print errors in the application's print preview so you can say it, and it might even tell you if there's gonna be any errors.

And that's really useful when you are slicing your models.

Now, to export a model for 3D printing from Tinkercad, it's really simple.

We simply go up to the Export button at the top right of your screen when you are in your model.

Once you've clicked on that, you can then select either what we call a.

STL file or a.

OBJ file from the dialogue box.

I tend to go with.

STL, and most slicing packages and applications will use that.

Now, once you've done that, you will find it will download the.

STL file onto your computer.

Now, your computer probably can't open that file, so there's no point in double clicking on it.

What you need is you need a slicing application.

I would recommend Cura, PrusaSlicer, or Bambu Studio.

They tend to all work really well with most 3D printing machines.

So we're now onto Task B, your final task for today.

The first thing I want you to do is define CAD, CAM, and CNC for me.

I then want you to copy and tinker the reference model we've seen in this lesson.

You can follow it by just typing that link into your search bar.

I then want you to identify all the 3D printing rule features.

And then I want you to try exporting it as an STL file to see if you can do it.

And then, using a slicing application of your choice, your teacher might direct you for this one, I want you to prepare the model for 3D printing.

Then, using the applications print preview, check the model for printing errors.

You'll be able to see all the way around it.

You'll be able to orbit around it, but you'll also be able to see probably a dialogue box to say whether or not is it is successful.

So have a play around with that.

And then once you've done that, maybe try adjusting some of those settings to see the different print qualities and print times that you get on your slicing software.

Pause the video now.

Have a go at this.

Come back to me when you've completed.

So well done with that.

I'm sure you've done absolutely fantastic.

Let's have a look at some sample answers.

Well, first of all, I asked you to define CAD, CAM, and CNC.

CAD is an acronym for computer-aided design, which uses digital applications such as Tinkercad to help produce 3D models of designs.

CAM is an acronym for computer-aided manufacturing, which uses machines to help manufacture parts from CAD models.

CAM includes the use of 3D printers.

And finally, CNC is an acronym for computer numerical control.

Machines, usually through code, are controlled to direct machine movements and manufacturing.

And then, of course, I wanted you to download the reference model and identify all those different rules, which you can see on your screen right now.

And once you've done that, I wanted you then to run that through your slicing software and just look at all the different menus and the different features you can get within your slicing software.

I'm sure you've done that, and I'm sure now you would be ready to 3D print a part.

Well done.

So that brings us to the end of today's lesson.

Let's have a quick summary.

Pre-existing CAD models can be access, copied, and edited in Tinkercad using the gallery.

Designs can be modified by ungrouping, resizing, and combining parts to create more complex models.

CAD models can be exported and prepared for manufacturing through CAM.

Most 3D printers in schools use a process called fused filament fabrication.

3D models need to be prepared for printing using a slicing application.

And finally, once prepared, the model is sent to a CNC machine, such as a 3D printer, which builds the objects layer by layer.

Well done today.

You've been absolutely fantastic.

I'll see you all again soon.

Goodbye.