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Lesson 7 of 8
  • Year 7

CAD to CAM in Tinkercad

I can access, select and edit existing models and prepare them for 3D printing.

Lesson 7 of 8
New
New
  • Year 7

CAD to CAM in Tinkercad

I can access, select and edit existing models and prepare them for 3D printing.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Pre-existing CAD models can be accessed, copied, and edited in Tinkercad using the gallery.
  2. Designs can be modified by ungrouping, resizing, and combining parts to create more complex models.
  3. CAD models can be exported and prepared for manufacturing through CAM.
  4. Most 3D printers in schools use a process called fused filament fabrication (FFF).
  5. Once prepared, the model is sent to a CNC machine, such as a 3D printer, which builds the object layer by layer.

Keywords

  • CAD - computer-aided design

  • CAM - computer-aided manufacture

  • CNC - computer numerical control

  • Tinkercad - an online computer-aided design application

Common misconception

Any model can be 3D printed using fused filament fabrication 3D printing.

Design for manufacture rules need to be considered when 3D printing. Not all models are suitable.


To help you plan your year 7 design and technology lesson on: CAD to CAM in Tinkercad, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

3D print a set of the reference models found in the lesson to give pupils a better understanding of the limitations of FFF 3D printing.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Computers/laptops, mice, access to Tinkercad.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Tinkercad Sim Lab allows based digital testing of CAD models.

Correct Answer: physics, physical

Q2.
What is the area called where a simulation happens?

Correct Answer: scene

Q3.
How can you accurately see the movement of parts and models in Sim Lab?

Correct answer: Trace Shape
Watch Shape
View Shape
Copy Shape

Q4.
Which connector has been used in this model?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: slider
pivot
axle

Q5.
Identify the methods used to create working and stable models in Sim Lab.

Correct answer: symmetrical design
Correct answer: align parts
Correct answer: use rubber for wheels
taller designs
do not group

Q6.
What can you not simulate in Sim Lab?

heat
Correct answer: movement
Correct answer: gravity
Q4 Tinkercad/Autodesk screen shots reprinted courtesy of Autodesk, Inc.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Where can you access other designer's models in Tinkercad?

the library
Correct answer: the gallery
the shop
the menu

Q2.
What do you need to do to gallery models to edit them?

Correct answer: ungroup
group
duplicate
simulate

Q3.
Most 3D printers in schools use a process called FFF. What is this an acronym of?

Correct answer: Fused Filament Fabrication
Fused Fine Fabrication
Fast Filament Fabrication
Fused Filament Filling

Q4.
When designing for 3D printing, overhangs should not be more than degrees without support.

Correct Answer: 45, 45 degrees, forty five