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The Workshop Of The Future
- Alex Maksimovich
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
If you haven’t heard about 3D printing yet, it’s basically magic. Able to turn a long string of plastic into almost any small object, it is a wondrous invention.
This article is going to focus on using 3D printers for dadding, so if you want to learn more about 3D printing beforehand, then go check out this article by Formlabs, which goes in depth on 3D printing or this video by Nat Geo Kids, which gives a great introduction and overview.
Benefits of a 3D printer for your kids
Now, there are loads of benefits to 3D printing.
You can prototype easily
Customise existing things you own
Make things that you’d buy for double the price at the shops
But the output of the 3D printer isn’t the whole story either. Sometimes it’s the journey that got you there. 3D printing is a whole hobby itself which can help you develop more skills than just “press the go button”
Creativity: Designing your own models
Physics: Optimising strength
Maths: Figuring out the best price to filament benefit ratio
That’s a lot of benefits, so let’s take some time and go through a couple in some more detail.
Your Kids Literally Have their own Toy Factory
I am guilty of always asking for a new toy when I was younger. Now, a 3D printer will not be the ultimate solution to all my childhood problems, they are, after all, just plastic printers, but there are still thousands upon thousands of 3D models online that you are able to just search up and print.
There’s a danger of developing a consumeristic nature, but if you look after that balance of making things and using them out nicely, you’ll be saving a whole load of money on silly dollar store toys.
Kids are able to create their own models
Even with the plethora of available online models, it can still be limiting. I mean, what if you need a model of a tree which grows cats and trucks and is 14.35cm tall? You probably don’t need that. But, if you for some reason did, there’s definitely a model of a tree, cat and truck online and with some basic modelling, you could create it to your exact specifications (even down to the 14.35cm height)
I have about 10 hours of modelling under my belt and it’s given me enough basic skills to develop all of our upcoming merch, as well as this set of coasters.
These coasters are each based on the moon landing site of Apollo 11-16. Are they practical…no. Do they hold your drinks up straight…no. Are they an example of how some simple modelling skills can still make a cool little model…YES! For me, it wasn’t about the practicality of the coaster, it was about developing a skill that now is going to benefit you.
It’s a hobby for both of you
Whether it’s 3D printing, going out to your man cave, or playing a game of chess. The point here isn’t all about 3D printing. This article was to introduce you to it and consider if it’s a hobby you and your kids want to take up. The underlying motivation is to convince you that a hobby with your child helps to build a bond with them. Wouldn’t it be great to look back and remember the things you did with your child?
My most fond memory with my dad isn’t anything to do with my hobbies, in fact, it’s about going to this one theme park all the time and buying the photo from the same ride each time. It was just something we both enjoyed and decided to do. Not the most cost effective and practical for everyone, but something to enjoy together.
Now I still want to convince you to try 3D printing as a hobby, but I’m not a dad, just the child of one. So here’s a story from a dad who did decide to make 3D printing a hobby with his kids.
A Dad’s story
Linus Sebastian, owner of Linus Media Group, said on one of his YouTube videos (Is my 3D printing setup wrong?);
“… the long term goal for me, of course, is that as [my kids’] ideas for how they’d like to change the models get bigger, so will their ambition to learn a little bit of modelling themselves. Starting with modifying existing ones and then hopefully progressing to creating their own.”
This was followed shortly by an ‘interview’ with his eight year old daughter, where she explains how to use the 3D printer, showing truly
"… it really is so easy that an eight year old can do it.”
Now, this is from a Dad whose whole career is built around consumer technology and “igniting passion for technology” (linusmediagroup.com) however, with a bit of research and persistence, any ordinary person could learn how to 3D print…even my dad, who isn’t the most tech savvy.
But...
This could be something that’s daunting to you, but never fear, the internet is here! There are hundreds of resources already scattered across Google and YouTube, which makes the barrier to entry much lower than even 5 years ago. And if you run into issues that are confusing or unique, forums online such as Reddit or the online forum for your brand of printer are available, where you can ask the community questions you have.
If you’d like to start, my recommendation would be the Bambu Lab A1 mini as suggested by Tom’s Hardware. It’s fairly automatic in terms of maintenance and whenever an issue arises, it will flash up a QR code to point you in the right direction to fixing the issue.
DADDING IN ACTION |
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