Some things to understand as we begin to learn about 3D printing:
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Original work only
It is expected that all work, designs, and models are of your own creation.
You will complete work only while in class in this module.
IMPORTANT
Handing in work as your own that is in fact sourced online, or through assistance from a large language model such as ChatGPT or otherwise, will be considered an academic honesty violation and handled according to procedures outlined in the 2024-25 Lakefield College School Academic Guide.
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Cost of materials
Filament is expensive.
As a rule, aim to produce your designs using as little plastic as possible while still achieving your desired outcome.
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Environmental cost
Unnecessary supports and other inefficient approaches to a design adds electricity usage and creates additional waste plastic that goes directly to the landfill.
Please be mindful of this as you work through a design.
Use supports, rafts, and infills sparingly and only when necessary to reduce plastic waste and excess electricity usage.
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Patience
3D printing is time-intensive.
Large or detailed designs may take several hours or even days to print, so plan accordingly and be mindful of deadlines.
Mr. Jones is handling the printing of your designs and it is simply not possible, on a logistical level, to print everyone’s designs if they are not submitted according to expected timelines.
IMPORTANT
If your design is handed in late, it will be considered for your grade in this course, but there is no guarantee that it will be printed.
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Feasibility
Ensure your models are structurally sound and can be printed successfully.
Overhangs, thin walls, or intricate details may require adjustments to avoid printing failures.
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Operation
The 3D printer at LCS is a new, and it is a potentially dangerous piece of technology if not used correctly.
For now, only teachers who understand the printer will be able to operate it.
We are aiming to teach students how to use the printer themselves in the future.
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School-Appropriate Designs
As with essays or works or art created in other courses, all designs in this course must align with LCS values and policies.
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Iterate
You may need to revise and improve your designs after initial tests, according to the design cycle, as originally discussed in our course outline:
Be open to feedback and use failed prints as learning opportunities.
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Share
The 3D printer is a shared resource.
Ensure that your print times are reasonable and consider the needs of others in the class.
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Colour
The plastic filament used to print your designs will be randomly assigned (generally using whatever filament is already loaded in the printer).
Requests for specific filament colours may be submitted, but they may not be fulfilled.