Flexible 3D Printed Molds for Educational Use. Digital Fabrication of 3D Typography

Authors

  • Alejandro Bonnet de León University of La Laguna
  • Jose Luis Saorin University of La Laguna
  • Jorge de la Torre-Cantero University of La Laguna
  • Cecile Meier University of La Laguna
  • María Cabrera-Pardo University of La Laguna

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v15i13.11155

Keywords:

3D printers, Filaflex, flexible mold, typography, education

Abstract


One of the drawbacks of using 3D printers in educational environments is that the creation time of each piece is high and therefore it is difficult to manufacture at least one piece for each student. This aspect is important so that each student can feel part of the manufacturing process. To achieve this, 3D printers can be used, not to make pieces, but to make the molds that students use to create replicas. On the other hand, for a mold to be used to make several pieces, it is convenient to make it with flexible material. However, most used material for 3D printers (PLA) is very rigid. To solve this problem, this article designs a methodology that allows the use of low-cost 3D printers (most common in school environments) with flexible material so that each mold can be used to manufacture parts for several students. To print flexible material with low-cost printers, it is necessary to adapt the machine and the print parameters to work properly. This article analyzes the changes to be made with a low cost 3D printer and validates the use of molds in school environments. A pilot test has been carried out with 8 students of the subject of Typography, in the School of Art and Superior of Design of Tenerife. During the activity, the students carried out the process of designing a typography and creating digital molds for 3D printing with flexible material. The designs were made using free 3D modeling programs and low-cost technologies.

Author Biographies

Alejandro Bonnet de León, University of La Laguna

Department of education

Jose Luis Saorin, University of La Laguna

Department of Engineering and Architecture Techniques and Projects

Jorge de la Torre-Cantero, University of La Laguna

Department of Engineering and Architecture Techniques and Projects

Cecile Meier, University of La Laguna

Universidad de Bellas Artes

Campus de Guajara, Calle Radio Aficionados, s/n, 38320 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

María Cabrera-Pardo, University of La Laguna

Master Student

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Published

2019-09-30

How to Cite

de León, A. B., Saorin, J. L., de la Torre-Cantero, J., Meier, C., & Cabrera-Pardo, M. (2019). Flexible 3D Printed Molds for Educational Use. Digital Fabrication of 3D Typography. International Journal of Online and Biomedical Engineering (iJOE), 15(13), pp. 4–16. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v15i13.11155

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Section

Papers