As a part of the S.T.E.M. class at Penn Middle School, 7th-grade students learn how to use Autodesk Inventor, a professional 3-D modeling software. After completing a number of assigned projects using this software, students put their new skills to use in creating and 3D printing a self-chosen project.
Students came up with a variety of different project ideas. One group of students chose to work together and create a digital version of a project they previously made from wood - a puzzle cube with multiple connecting parts. Using Flashforge Creator Pro 3-D printers, the students printed each part of a puzzle cube from PLA plastic.
“3D printing is a tool that can be used to take an idea from your imagination and in the matter of a few hours make it a physical object you can hold in your hand,” commented Mr. Kymer. “The future of this technology has great potential as the materials and techniques used are still developing.”
Students are digitally checking the fit of the pieces they drew separately
The 3D printer created each part of the puzzle
After the 3D printing, students clean and complete an initial test fit
Andrew Baker, Jason Whitefield, and Collin Dransart perform a final fit of their 3-D printed puzzles
The finished puzzle cubes