Your Challenge
Your challenge is to come up with your own invention or product idea. Design a draft prototype using Tinkercad. Then, evaluate your prototype. See if you can find ways to improve it based on what you discover through analyzing the design.
What You'll Learn
- How to use 3D computer graphics software to visualize and explore ideas and designs.
- The role of prototyping in product development.
- How to use Tinkercad to create 3D prototypes.
What You Should Already Know Before Beginning This Learning Launcher:
Make sure you are familiar with Tinkercad tools and techniques, including:
- Moving, resizing, and rotating objects
- Viewing a project from all angles
- Creating and modifying grouped objects
- Using align tools
- Using Workplane Helper
- Locating Tinkercad resources
- Designing simple 3D objects with Tinkercad
See It Before You Build It
3D drawing software allows you to visualize your ideas before you build or print. Imagine trying to build a skyscraper or bridge without first creating a model of it: a mistake would be extremely expensive and potentially dangerous.
Before buildings, cars, or almost anything is built, someone creates a design to make sure the object is the right size, shape, and function.
Iterations, Iterations, Iterations
Iteration means repeating a process. Most final products start with a drawing, a model, and many revisions of each. By using a drawing program like Tinkercad we save time, money, and materials.
Tinkercad allows us to view our designs in 3D. With Tinkercad we fix mistakes and improve the design before printing. 3D printing in plastic creates a prototype to test before we build our design with more expensive materials.
Note: It may take several attempts to create your design!
Prototyping
Our best work takes time. We improve our ideas by learning from failure, success, and others. Often after drawing an object, we create a model.
We use the word prototype for a special kind of model. A prototype is a working model of a final product. Prototypes often use less expensive materials and are generally the size of the final product. Prototypes allow us to make sure that the product works and looks the way we want it to work and look.
Enough Background Information it is Time to Start!
Go to: https://www.tinkercad.com/
Start by doing the "Direct Starters" activities. Once you are comfortable with the skills they teach, design your own 3D object.
Your challenge is to come up with your own invention or product idea. Design a draft prototype using Tinkercad. Then, evaluate your prototype. See if you can find ways to improve it based on what you discover through analyzing the design.
Warm up with Practice Projects
Refresh your Tinkercad skills by completing one or two different kinds of challenges from the project page. Once you are warmed up, create a prototype for your own invention
Prototype Challenge
Recall that prototypes are working models. If you create a prototype, you are creating an object that works just like the final object. This means you need to consider the function of the product to determine how to make an effective prototype. For example, if you want to design gold jewelry, you can start with a plastic prototype to establish the design you want. Your prototype will be most effective if you create it full size so you can evaluate how it fits and appears when worn.
Limitations
You are limited by the size of your 3D printer and the cost of materials. If you create a prototype of a chair, limiting factors such as cost and time may require you to create a smaller version of the chair you design. In such a case, decide on what you are demonstrating with your prototype.
If you are trying to showcase a new approach to seated comfort, create a chair that fits a bendable figurine; this will show how a person may sit and experience the chair.
If you are showcasing a new artistic approach to a popular design, then design a chair large enough to see and appreciate the intricacies of your design.
Recall that prototypes are working models. If you create a prototype, you are creating an object that works just like the final object. This means you need to consider the function of the product to determine how to make an effective prototype. For example, if you want to design gold jewelry, you can start with a plastic prototype to establish the design you want. Your prototype will be most effective if you create it full size so you can evaluate how it fits and appears when worn.
Limitations
You are limited by the size of your 3D printer and the cost of materials. If you create a prototype of a chair, limiting factors such as cost and time may require you to create a smaller version of the chair you design. In such a case, decide on what you are demonstrating with your prototype.
If you are trying to showcase a new approach to seated comfort, create a chair that fits a bendable figurine; this will show how a person may sit and experience the chair.
If you are showcasing a new artistic approach to a popular design, then design a chair large enough to see and appreciate the intricacies of your design.
Project Ideas
- Design an original piece of jewelry.
- Create a new toy such as a model car or child’s doll.
- Design a case for your phone or tablet.
- Design a hook or clip to hold a water bottle to your book bag.
- Create a storage container for cell phone ear buds.