Agrupamento de Escolas de Marrazes

Activities implemented using 3D scanner and 3D printers

 

●        3D scanning and 3D printing of intangible local heritage, using Creality scanner and Ender 3D printer

The students, with the support of the teacher, scanned small clay jars representative of intangible local heritage (pottery of Bajouca), using Creality scanner. Subsequently, the Blender software was used to edit and refine the 3D model, as necessary, and some models were printed on the Ender 3D printer.

Some difficulties were felt during the use of Blender software, as it proved to be complex for students to work autonomously, even with the support of the teacher.

 

●        3D scanning and 3D printing of Leiria Castle, using Kiri Engine mobile app and XYZ 3D printer

For this activity, given the impossibility of being able to scan the real monument, it was decided to scan a small model of the castle. Groups of students were formed and the teacher explained what they were going to do and how the Kiri Engine app worked. The students used a smartphone to start scanning the model of the castle. Initially, they had some difficulties as they could not keep their hands steady while scanning, or they moved the smartphone too fast. After a few attempts, they managed to scan it.

After this process, the file was exported to the computer to proceed with its 3D printing, using the XYZ 3D printer. However, since the exported file did not have a flat base, the difficulty of how to proceed to print an object with a flat base arose. Faced with this difficulty, one of the students suggested lowering the model to be printed, so that the base was automatically flattened. He tried it and it worked, and the students were quite happy with his suggestion, as well as with the result.

Occasionally, filament has jammed in the cartridge while printing.

 

 

●        3D modelling and 3D printing of Leiria Castle, using Tinkercad software and Ender 3D printer

The students started by learning how to use the 3D modelling software Tinkercad and performed some exercises, where they applied mathematical contents, namely geometry, with the use of geometric solids. After observing some pictures of Leiria Castle, the students used Tinkercad to create a 3D model of this monument, autonomously and with some ease.

The STL files created were saved and later printed, using Ender 3D printer. 

This activity was of great interest to the students, allowing the development of skills outlined in various subjects. 

 

 

●        Robot programming, using 3D models of Leiria Castle

Using the 3D printed models of Leiria Castle previously created by the students, a game was developed to test their knowledge about the monument’s history, functionality, architecture, decoration and  embedded values, in which the students were challenged to answer questions and program a robot to move to different pictures of the castle, winning one of the 3D models.

The students showed a lot of interest and enthusiasm.

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