[DL33] Replacement Parts

M3D DesignLab DesignLab Grade 3
1

Session 3: “Fix It Fun: Designing Replacement Parts”

Architect:
Syed Shayaan Haider - Markhor3D

Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, students will:

  • Identify real-world examples of broken or missing items that can be replaced with 3D-printed parts. Examples:

  • Here are some real-world examples of broken or missing items that a third grader could understand and replace with 3D-printed parts:

    • Missing Lego Piece:
      “Imagine you lost a piece of your Lego set, like a tiny brick or a special shape. You can use a 3D printer to make a new one to complete your build!”

    • Broken Toy Wheel:
      “What if your toy car lost one of its wheels? You can design and print a new wheel to fix your car and keep playing.”

    • Lost Game Token:
      “If you lose a game piece, like a token or a pawn from a board game, you can print a new one so everyone can keep playing the game.”

    • Puzzle Piece:
      “If one piece of your favorite puzzle is missing, you can create a new one with the same shape to complete your puzzle again.”

    • Broken Crayon Holder:
      “If you have a crayon holder that’s broken or missing, you can design a new one to keep your crayons organized and easy to use.”

    • These are simple and relatable examples that show how 3D printing can be used to replace or fix everyday items!

  • Learn to take simple measurements and apply them to 3D designs.

  • Create basic replacement parts in TinkerCad with a focus on accuracy and creativity.

Teaching Aids

Required Equipment:

  • Computer or tablet with internet access for each student
  • Rulers for taking basic measurements
  • Projector and screen for demonstrations
  • Item to replicate for each group/ student. It should be a fairly simple part e.g a wheel, a button, a block, game token etc.

Visual Aids:

  • [Google Image Search “broken toy part replacement”]
  • [Google Image Search “missing puzzle piece”]
  • [Google Image Search “game token replacement”]

Structure and Lesson Plan

Introduction (5 minutes)

  1. Encouragement:
    “Have you ever lost a piece of a favorite toy or game? Instead of throwing it away, what if you could create a replacement yourself? Today, we’re going to have some fun by designing parts to fix those broken or missing items.”

  2. Real-World Example Discussion:
    Show examples of broken or missing items that can be replaced with 3D-printed parts.

    • Example 1: A missing puzzle piece from a favorite puzzle.
      Question: “How would the puzzle feel if one piece was missing? How can we fix that?”
      [Google Image Search “missing puzzle piece replacement”]
    • Example 2: A broken wheel from a toy car.
      Question: “What happens when a toy car loses its wheel? How can we design a new one to make it work again?”
      [Google Image Search “toy car wheel replacement”]
    • Example 3: A lost game token from a board game.
      Question: “If one game token is missing, could you still play? What could we design to replace it?”
      [Google Image Search “game token replacement”]
    • Missing Buttons, watch straps, shoelace aglets, knobs on fans etc.

Recap basic features of TinkerCad:

(optional; gauge skill level and confidence of students in TinkerCad, you might need to manage time.)

  1. Ask students to drag and drop a shape into the build area.
  2. Encourage them to manipulate the view around the shape. Move, pan, orbit, zoom using mouse.
  3. Make the students move the object after clicking on it and draging the arrows (attatched to the center).
  4. Make the students manipulate and resize the object after clicking on it and draging the arrows (attatched to the corner).
  5. Recap Grouping objects by selecting all of them and using the group command (Ctrl+G).
  6. Recap creating holes in the object.
    1. Create the shape of the hole to be cut.
    2. Change the shape type to solid to hole.
    3. Place it within the area to cut the hole.
    4. Select both objects and Group.

Demonstration (10 minutes)

  1. Presenting the Concept:
    Use the projector to show how to start designing a simple replacement part in TinkerCad.

  2. Step-by-Step Design Process:

    • Identify the Problem:
      Choose a simple item to recreate (e.g., a replacement wheel and an fan speed knob in this case).
    • Measure the Object:
      Show how to measure the dimensions of a similar item using a ruler.
    • Input the Dimensions in TinkerCad:
      Use basic shapes (square, circle) to recreate the object in TinkerCad by inputting the measured dimensions.
    • Modify the Design:
      Demonstrate how to slightly modify the design to improve it or make it unique. For example, adding a pattern or engraving to a puzzle piece.
      [Image of a personalized item in TinkerCad]

Guided Practice (15 minutes)

  1. Hands-On Activity:

    • Prompt Action:
      Ask students to think about an item they’ve lost or broken at home.
      • Examples: Lost token, broken wheel, missing button, etc.

  2. Measure and Record:

    • Guide students in using rulers to measure similar items they can model after.
    • Record the measurements on paper to prepare for TinkerCad modeling.

  3. Model in TinkerCad:

    • Guide students to input their measurements into TinkerCad and start designing their replacement part using basic shapes.
    • Walk through the process to ensure accuracy, while encouraging creativity in how they modify or personalize the part.

  4. Assistance:

    • Provide help as needed to ensure all students understand how to use the measurements and tools effectively.
    • Encouragement: “Don’t worry if it’s not perfect at first. 3D printing is all about trying, improving, and experimenting.”

Independent Practice (10 minutes)

  1. Let Students Design Independently:
    Allow students to refine or enhance their replacement part designs using what they learned.

  2. Monitor Progress:
    Move around the room, offering assistance or tips as students work independently on their projects.

Class Discussion (5 minutes)

  1. Sharing Designs:

    • Invite a few students to share their designs and explain which item they chose to replace and why.
    • Sample Question: “What was the hardest part of designing the replacement? How did you solve that problem?”
      [Chat-Gpt Search “how to discuss problem-solving in design”]

  2. Class Feedback:

    • Ask the class for positive feedback on the designs shared and offer suggestions for improvement.
      [Chat-Gpt Search “encouraging students to give constructive feedback”]

Glossary

I. Replacement Part: A part made to substitute for a broken or missing component.
II. Measurement: The process of determining the dimensions of an object using a ruler or other tools.
III. Precision: The accuracy of a design, making sure the measurements are correct for the object to function properly.

Teacher’s Resources:

  1. Guide to TinkerCad (link to separate document)

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For suggestions, improvements and corrections feel free to reach out at-
shayaanhaider@gmail.com

[DL32] Discovering TinkerCad