3D Printing

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Making objects layer by layer
• Adding vs cutting material
• What people 3D print

🎬 Animated demo

Watch an object grow layer by layer from nothing.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• 3D-printed things hunt online
• List what you want to print

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Nozzle, bed and motors
• Heating and melting plastic
• Moving in X, Y and Z

🎬 Animated demo

Follow the nozzle as it draws a layer of melted plastic.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• Label a printer diagram
• Hot-glue “printing” demo with an adult

🎯 What you’ll learn

• PLA, PETG and more
• Colours and strength
• Choosing the right material

🎬 Animated demo

Compare how different filaments bend and melt.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• Material comparison chart
• Strength test of printed samples

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Three directions of space
• Measuring objects
• Millimetres and scale

🎬 Animated demo

Switch between X, Y and Z to see each side of a cube, then scale it in mm.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• Measure 5 objects in mm
• Draw an object from 3 views

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Using a free online design tool
• Placing and resizing shapes
• Your name keychain

🎬 Animated demo

A flat name grows up into a 3D keychain.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• Name keychain
• Personal badge

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Combining shapes
• Making holes
• Hollow objects save plastic

🎬 Animated demo

Two shapes join, then one cuts a hole in the other.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• Pen stand
• Cookie cutter

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Solving small problems
• Measuring for a good fit
• Snap fits and hinges

🎬 Animated demo

A phone stand is designed to fit a real phone.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• Phone stand
• Cable holder

🎯 What you’ll learn

• What a slicer does
• Layer height and infill
• Print time and plastic used

🎬 Animated demo

Slice a model and see its layers and inside pattern.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• Compare infill settings
• Estimate print time

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Why overhangs need support
• Rafts and brims
• Getting the first layer right

🎬 Animated demo

See an overhang droop without support and stand with it.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• Overhang test print
• Support-free redesign

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Warping, stringing and gaps
• Levelling the bed
• Troubleshooting checklist

🎬 Animated demo

Spot the problem in each failed print and fix it.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• Print doctor checklist
• Before-and-after print test

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Printed prosthetic hands
• Houses and rocket parts
• Future of manufacturing

🎬 Animated demo

Travel from a printed hand to a printed rocket engine.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• Real-world use poster
• Idea for your community

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Find a problem to solve
• Design, print and test
• Improve and present

🎬 Animated demo

An idea sketch becomes a finished printed invention.

🛠️ Project & application ideas

• Robot car part
• Classroom helper gadget (final project)