Mechanical prints. Nothing quite seems to show how awesome 3D printers are as things that you can print (and usually need to assemble) that can move (rotating heart gear, motors, etc)
If you don't want to get into the modelling aspect which might be a little advanced for the age range, search https://www.youmagine.com/for toys and such.
Keep in mind that smaller is better since if they print gets messed up, you don't lose too much time and small prints also print faster.
For some younger family members, one in the range you mentioned and one just slightly older, to show them the printer, I printed an UM robot
https://www.youmagine.com/designs/official-ultimaker-robot
and for the younger one, a braclet with her name (thingiverse is not well liked by us due to some shady things they did regarding rights to the works posted there but):
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:46735
It is stretchy even when printed in PLA.
If you have a selection of filament colors, this might be fun for them to see printed:
Ultimaker PLAY KIT ROBOT - ultirobot
https://www.youmagine.com/designs/ultimaker-play-kit-robot-ultirobot
If you want something on the mechanical side, these might be of interest:
https://www.youmagine.com/designs/quick-print-gear-bearing
If you want to talk about space and the ISS using 3D printers, there are models of the wrench they printed such as:
https://www.youmagine.com/designs/modified-space-wrench
If you wanted to make some original models, tinkercad looks good:
For more advance modeling, 123D design
Hope that helps !
Thanks all, willspend some time looking through it all now!
Right, thanks for all the great ideas!
Has anyone seen any simple print and put together machines? I'm thinking the children can design basic shape (and test some maths etc at the same time!) they want to do a school mascot...
And thanks for the cats @shurik!
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shurik 87
G'day mate,
While for the youngsters this may be way too early, kids of the age 6+ would enjoy a story about creating toys out of nowhere.
I used the Tinkercad to demonstrate how we can draw a geometric shape (which they just happen to learn) and had it pre-printed to show the result.
And of course, do not forget the giveaways!
You can find quite a few ideas on the Thingiverse. My experience is with the Cuddling cats - you can find my feline army there, and I lately print in different colors signs "I love Modiin", the later being my hometown. That proves to be the unbeatable hit.
Cheers!
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