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Please note - if you intend using this material or sharing the link (such as a presentation etc) can you please let us know so that we can share the feedback and ideas with those students and teachers who are responsible for the creation of this site.

2024 Onwards - Explanation of the 3D Printers that are available to our students: 
Since 2022 we have switched to using Snapmaker Machines.  We are currently using three throughout our school (of 200 students).  These have been self funded by the school the first coming from the winning of the 123 Tech National Innovation Competition.

We have just (January 2024) upgraded one of our Snapmaker Machines to a double nozzle printer.   The students are almost exclusively using Tinkercad to design the CAD software and Luban, the Snapmaker software then to print.

Currently the specific machines that we are running are Snapmaker 

Significant Update 2022 Onwards.   As detailed on this blog in April 2022 we made the most significant change since its inception when we decided to shift the majority (or all) of our printing from the use of the Ultimaker/Ultimaker 2+ machines and into Snapmaker Machines.   This has had a significant impact on the designs and quality of the printing that is being created by the students.

This work was produced by staff/students at Auroa Primary School located in Auroa, South Taranaki, New Zealand. We are a full primary school (5-13) of just over 200 students.   

The following information has been relevant in regards to the technical aspects of prints but please note that we did indeed start publishing work projects in 2014 and some of the information that is below is out of date - also there is specific information relating to some prints that was relevant at the time that is now been superseded changes in printing times/PLA amounts and technology.  We have decided to leave the original posts as they are on this blog. 

From 2014-2021
We started using Ulitmaker 2 + Machines for our students 3D Printing projects.  In September 2016 we upgraded one of Ultimaker 2 machines to an Ultimaker 2 Plus.  (the first prints on the site were printed using an obsolete 'Diamond Age' printer as specified).

As of February 2017 all machines at the School were upgraded to Ultimaker 2+ Machines running CURA Software with designs by Tinkercad.

Most projects are run using Tinkercad to create, Cura (Ultimaker 2 Software) to convert to g-code and then printed using the Ultimaker 2.   As of June 2016 we have had students using 123d Design as it is an iPad friendly app. (although subsequently most of the students returned to using Tinkercad).

If any of the projects that are not suitable or do not follow that process we have noted that in the post.  We have had requests previously for the supplying of the .STL files for our projects etc.   These are created by individual students and the intention of which is to show examples of what our students have created, if you wish to have individual files etc we can arrange this but can you please email us.

 

The above video depicts an event occurring at our school to give you idea of our background.  It is produced by Sonic Vision Studios.  The following link will take you to their Youtube page 

The work on this site is not the responsibility of one person.  It is the collective work of a number of students and teachers from the school.  In some cases those students and teachers (or staff) no longer work for the School.  It has been noted on most posts but if you wish to contact the person who created the particular project email me below I can in most cases put you in direct contact with the person(s) responsible where possible.

If you wish to contact the person responsible for the site, in terms of the text and photographs (unless otherwise stated) you can do so by emailing me directly on myles.webb@gmail.com or on Twitter: NZWaikato, or on NZWaikato on the Apple Teacher Forum.

As of April 2019 we decided to revisit several aspects of the site.  We have removed the previous tabs for 'Short Term Prints' and 'Long Term Prints'.   The software that we are using and machines while now nearly five years old are currently improving and being updated as a result some of the older print times need revising.   We are still tagging posts as either 'Long Term Prints' or 'Short Term Prints' as part of the post description and if you have any queries about specific prints please either leave us a comment (!) or email us.

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