This course will teach you the fundamentals of how to CODE and 3D print, using scratch code blocks by TinkerCAD. TinkerCAD is used by over 20 million people around the world and is one of the easiest ways to create models for 3D printing. They have recently launched the TinkerCAD code blocks application which uses scratch CODE blocks to create 3D models.
This course is a fun and friendly way to learn the principles of CODE whilst learning how to 3D print. The instructor, Phil Cotton is a teacher and founder of learnbylayers, one of the leading resources for 3D printing education in the world. Phil wrote the content for this course and for all the curriculum resources for learnbylayers and this is now taught by schools in over 30 countries to over 180,000 students. Phil is an expert in creating curriculum content for education in the UK. He is also an advisor for the National STEM Learning center and has trained hundreds of teachers on how to 3D print.
The course structure will take you through 6 split into 27 mini lectures and a final end of course assessment;
Lesson 1. 3D printing and where they are used in society and the benefits they bring.
In this lesson, you will learn the basics of how 3D printers work. The important parts of the machine will be explained and a basic overview of how they work. The main focus of the lesson details where 3D printers are being used in society and the advantages they bring to our every days lives. Interesting topics are covered including the use of the technology in medicine, veterinary care, movie production, construction, and sports. By the end of the lesson, you will have a firm understanding of why this technology is described as ‘disruptive technology’.
Lesson 2. The 3D printing process – how the technology works.
This lesson focuses on how the technology works. Topics covered include the different stages to creating a 3d printed model e.g. designing the model, slicing the model, and then 3D printing the model. Also, the study of X,Y and Z coordinates and how they relate to the movement of a 3D printer is covered along with different examples of 3D models that can be printed. A basic overview of slicing is covered, along with layer height and infill. (This is covered in details in a ‘slicing master class in lesson 6). Finally, technical terminology such as CAD and CAM are briefly explained.
Lesson 3. The basics of CODE and how to create basic 3D models using scratch CODE blocks.
In this lesson, the basics of design and coding are covered and a breakdown of how to use TinkerCAD code blocks is taught through a series of step by step tutorials. Important factors such as X,Y and Z axis are covered and how coding relates to this. There are multiple video tutorials using the software that build your skills in coding 3D models with scratch code blocks. Tasks are steadily built up with easy to follow tutorials that will teach you
