Boat Expansion Set #ThinkFunChallenge

thingiverse

I embarked on this contest for two compelling reasons: firstly, I had been craving a spark of motivation to delve into 3D designing for quite some time now; secondly, I still harbor a child's spirit. This challenge offered the perfect opportunity for me to test-drive some of the free 3D design software out there, and after experimenting with several options, I found myself captivated by Sketchup – a surprisingly straightforward program that revolves around visuals. Once I settled on creating an expansion set for boats, I began to brainstorm pieces that could serve distinct roles while enabling me to construct limitless models. Following some intensive sketching, I finally zeroed in on the eight components depicted above. With the invaluable support of the Fab Lab at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (where I'm currently enrolled in a Master's program for Structural Engineering), and the Local Motors store located in Knoxville, I was able to bring these designs to life by printing and testing them. I also managed to assemble a toy boat using these components – details can be found towards the end of this summary. I'd like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Thingiverse and ThinkFun for pushing me into the realm of 3D designing and printing with this fun and educational challenge. Feel free to comment on this project, as it marks my maiden voyage into the world of 3D design, and I eagerly look forward to hearing your opinions and suggestions! https://youtu.be/SL3fj9pII-s Print Settings Printer Brand: MakerBot Printer: MakerBot Replicator 2 Rafts: Yes Supports: Yes Resolution: .02 Infill: ~15% Notes: Make sure to adjust your extrusion speeds downward in order to ensure the precision of the printed parts, considering the narrow tolerances involved. Post-Printing Ensure you allot sufficient time for removing the supports and cleaning the connections. It's crucial that the holes are immaculate in order for the connections to function correctly. How I Designed This Intro As I initiated my project, I pondered what qualities make a toy truly captivating for kids. Growing up, I was captivated by lincoln logs and legos due to their limitless possibilities. I sought to replicate this essence in my design by creating components that could seamlessly integrate with existing sets and offer almost infinite possibilities. Furthermore, I aimed to take the ThinkFun sets and push them into uncharted territories. Design The designing process involved multiple rounds of trials and revisions, often leading to numerous errors. Thankfully, I had the Fab Lab at my disposal, along with the Local Motors store in Knoxville – both played a vital role in bringing my ideas to fruition.