In this Make:able toolkit, you’ll be learning new and modern technical skills that you can apply to your own unique assistive device further into the project. Watch the overview video below before participating in one (or more) of the design tutorials available in the toolkit. Try and select tutorials that might teach you relevant skills for your own project.
Before you participate in tutorials, select an Autodesk 3D design software to use throughout the challenge and ensure your account is set up. We recommend Tinkercad for students in the under 14 category and Fusion for 14+ age groups. If you need help in choosing your software, check out the information below.
Tinkercad is a free, browser-based 3D design, electronics and coding app made by Autodesk. With a 'digital lego' framework, it is the perfect entry point for people getting started with 3D design, yet it’s got the versatility and complexity to design almost anything you can imagine.
Fusion is a cloud-based, full product design platform used amongst innovative and creative industries. Its comprehensive set of tools enable you to design with precision, render realistic images, simulate loads, animate joints and much more. The amazing thing about Fusion is that it’s intuitive and user-friendly enough for beginners to get to grips with – and it’s completely free for educators, students and hobbyists.
PrintLab is our very own online platform of 3D printing courses and projects, which can help you build new technical and creative problem-solving skills in preparation for your Make:able journey. Although PrintLab is a paid-subscription, we invite you to use the free trial to explore and participate in a range of relevant resources. And at the end of the trial, you can choose whether you’d like to subscribe to PrintLab. Below are some example PrintLab resources. Remember to select the ones that are most relevant/necessary for you and your team.
This mini course combines all the key fundamentals of 3D modelling in Tinkercad into a 1-2 hour session. From navigating the model workspace and placing objects to mirroring and combining shapes, you will be provided with a complete overview of the tools and opportunities within Tinkercad software.
In this skill-building mini course, you will learn how to get started with Fusion 360 for solid modelling. A series of base models are provided with the course, which are uploaded into Fusion 360 and used in conjunction with 13 bitesize instructional videos. Each video focuses on a different set of Fusion 360 tools, giving you a complete beginner’s overview of Fusion 360’s solid modelling tools.
In this short online course, you will learn about 10 essential slicer settings to help get the most out of your 3D printer. The course is video based and based on FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) 3D printers. From print speed and temperature to outer layer thickness and orientation, you’ll be sure to learn some handy tips to achieve good quality prints.
In this short online course, you will learn about the best practices for designing specifically for 3D printing. The course is video based and goes over 10 essential tips to achieving good quality prints on FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) 3D printers.
In this intermediate-advanced mini course, you'll be introduced to the fascinating world of 3D printed mechanisms. The creative learning resources will teach you how to add connections and movement to your 3D models - unlocking new and innovative design possibilities.
PrintLab has a range of step-by-step assistive technology projects that take you through the full design process using a series of design-thinking methods. These are great for becoming familiar with 3D CAD, idea generation and problem solving techniques specific to assistive technology.
Looking for quick tutorials rather than full projects? PrintLab’s 3D CAD Tutorial library is the ultimate toolkit of Tinkercad and Fusion 360 tutorials and includes a whole section dedicated to assistive devices.
3D CAD and 3D printing is just a small part of the full process designers go through. In this resource, you'll explore a complete library of research, design, evaluation and presentation activities.
Click the link below to get started with your free trial to PrintLab. If you are a student under 18, please request that your teacher signs up to the trial on your behalf. They will then be able to share relevant resources with you.
*Tip – Don’t worry if you haven’t become an expert in everything. Many concepts and skills will be developed as you go!
Here is a selection of optional resources that you may wish to watch/use, depending on your challenge context and time constraints.
In this stage of Rob’s Make:able Challenge, he shares his top 5 tips for building 3D design and 3D printing skills.
Interested in using 3D scanning with 3D printing? Product Design Online share 7 3D scanning tips for unbeatable results. The tips shown are based on using the Einstar 3D scanner but are also relevant to other light based 3D scanners.
Assistive devices have a much larger impact if they are released open-source with high-quality documentation, such as assembly instructions and maker guides. Check out these examples.
Interested in switch access? On November 11 2024, we hosted a live virtual event in collaboration with occupational therapist Loreto Dumitrescu and teaching Professor at Washington University, Bill Siever. The presentation focused on the use of 3D printing, the micro:bit, and MakeCode to create assistive switch devices.
Before moving on to the next toolkit, you should have achieved the below objectives.
If you are using the workbook, you can tick these off at the bottom of Section 3, and make note of any key learnings or important things to remember.
Go to Next Toolkit – Develop Empathy