Lost PLA Casting and 3D Printing

This is a "Private Course" for local students.

Students from Eastwood Academy, Stephen F. Austin High School, Yes Prep Fifth Ward, and KIPP Intrepid are welcome to register.

The course will run ten weeks, and students will attend the same day each week. To determine the day assigned to your school, please see the list at the end of the course description.

Combining “lost-wax casting” techniques with 3D printed models, we bring the ancient to the cutting edge of technology. In this program, students will first learn how to build digital models for 3D printing. They will then 3D print PLA models and create plaster molds. Molds will be used for casting molten aluminum to create fixtures, a modern twist on the ancient art of “lost wax casting."

An array of maker skills will be learned as students design, print, and cast the enclosure for a back-lit acrylic sign. Although CAD and metal casting are the focus, the project will also build skills in electronics, lasercutting, and 3D printing.

2D CAD (Computer Aided Design) and Lasercutting

Students will be trained to use a CO2 laser cutter to etch and cut the acrylic sign they have designed with 2D CAD. Laser cutters can be used to cut acrylics, wood, cloth, and leather. 2D drafting is also used to parts cut in sheet metal by our CNC plasma cutter or CNC water-jet and in wood by our CNC router.

Electronics

The back-lighting for the acrylic sign will be done with multi-color LED lights, and will require students gain an understanding of basic electronics, wiring, and power. This knowledge actually lies at the center of most computer-driven maker skills. Students will gain a foundation for future projects involving circuits and microprocessors (arduino, raspberry pi).

3D CAD and 3D Printing

CAD skills will be expanded into 3D for design of the aluminum base fixture. 3D printers are all the rage, but most gather dust in classrooms and libraries because students don't know how to use 3D CAD to build models for printing. Students will gain a solid foundation in Autodesk CAD software and the models they build will be informed by training in 3D printer operation.

Lost PLA Casting

Students will learn how to use 3D printed PLA plastic models to create plaster molds with spruing designed for metal casting.

Schedule:

Monday : Eastwood Academy

Tuesday : KIPP Intrepid

Wednesday : YES Prep Fifth Ward

Thursday : Stephen F. Austin High School