3D Print Your Own Fidget Spinner: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Learn how to create a 3D-printable fidget spinner using a program called Tinkercad. Discover how to personalize and design your fidget spinner. Find out how to choose the number of "arms" your fidget spinner has. In this step-by-step tutorial your students (or you) will expand their 3D design skills. The tutorial shows you everything from how to open the program to how to slice your final design.

Overview

Do you have a 3D printer but aren't quite sure what to do with it? Are you looking for ready-to-go projects to teach your students valuable 3D design / CAD skills? Do you need creative, engaging STEM activities? Then Teach Me 3DP Tutorials were designed for you.

You will receive the tutorial in 3 different formats.

1. There is a YouTube video that walks your students (or you) through the process step-by-step.

2. The Booklet format is a .pdf file designed to be printed double-sided on the short-edge. Fold the stack of papers in half, staple along the fold to create a booklet.

3. The Screen format is designed to be viewed on screen or printed as single sheets.

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Experience Level:

This is a Level 1 tutorial, meaning that it is designed for beginners who have limited or no previous 3D design experience. Each step is described and illustrated so that it is easy to follow. Designers will learn to use many of the basic 3D design functions, such as creating, re-sizing, rotating, grouping, duplicating and aligning objects.

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Required Resources:

To use the tutorial, you will need a computer with Internet access. If you are using the tutorial with a class, you would ideally be in a computer lab with one computer per student.

If you want students to use the video tutorial, they will need headphones.

Prior to using the tutorial with a class, you should "create a class" on Tinkercad. Check out my free guide Tinkercad for Teachers if you are unfamiliar with the program.

To print the created project, you will need a 3D Printer and Filament (PLA filament recommended).

To assemble the fidget spinner, you will need a Steel Ball Bearing (8mm x 22mm x 7mm), such as those available here.

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Tips for in-class use:

• Option 1: Give each student a printed copy of the tutorial. Let them follow it at their own pace. This option is particularly useful for classes in which students' computer experience levels vary greatly.

• Option 2: Have each student open the video file or the Screen version of the tutorial. Show students how to have 2 windows open simultaneously on their computers. They should have the tutorial open in one window and Tinkercadopen in the other. This option works best if your printing/copying resources are limited and your students are experienced computer users.

• Option 3: Use a projector to display the tutorial. Have students follow along as you go through the tutorial step-by-step. This option will be the best for younger students and for those with limited computer experience.

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Other products that may interest you:

3D Print Your Own Toy Car

3D Print Your Own Zipper Pull

3D Print Your Own Flexi Animal

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