Build your own 3D printer and learn professional CAD skills
Looking for an exciting engineering camp with an emphasis on design and practical skills? Our 3D printing course teaches you how to build, modify and repair your own 3D printer.
After building the printer, learn 3D design to make your own creations. Of course, you'll take home everything including your 3D printer.
We run this course at several levels. Everyone firsts builds their printers. Then the younger campers start with an intuitive drag-and-drop 3D modelling environment, whilst older campers use professional-level 3D CAD software (Fusion 360).
We're using a brand new printer in 2024 which has a self-levelling bed making printing even easier!
WITH US?
Don't just learn about them - build your own professional-quality 3D printer to take home
Start simple and move to professional CAD software used by engineers
Learn about real product design with our custom Tech Camp projects
All campers start with learning how to build and setup their own 3D printer. Then we have a slightly different version of the course depending on the camper's age and experience.
Junior campers (age 9-13) first learn how to use Tinkercad, an online 3D design tool perfect for younger campers to make everything from custom stamps to name tags and personalised figures. Then they graduate to the SolidWorks App, to learn mesh modelling of organic forms, animals and landscapes.
Senior campers (age 13-17) learn Autodesk Fusion 360, professional software used daily by engineers. They learn how to create their own designs such as phone stands, lampshades and custom game pieces. If they finish all that (or are a Fusion expert already!), we have extension curriculum where they learn about organic forms, assemblies and renders, and complete some real-world product design tasks with 3D printed prototypes.
Building the printer
You'll start on the first day by building your 3D printer. You'll then learn how to level the bed and use the 'slicing' software to convert a 3D model into a format the printer can use. Then you'll move on to your first test print!
Learning 3D CAD
Once you've built your printer (normally on day 1), you'll learn how to use 3D CAD software to design items for 3D printing. You'll workthrough our custom sample projects to teach you the core skills.
Designing your own things
After you've learnt how to use 3D CAD software, later in the week you'll be able to try designing your own things. Perhaps you'd like a custom phone holder or a stationery holder? You can continue with your 3D designs when you go home with your 3D printer!
