Today, we are going to make a mood lamp with a 3D pen! You can make a lot of things with a 3d pen, but you have to plan thoroughly, draw drawings, and design so that you can make high-quality results.

I am applying Design in Technology and Engineering Education in standards, Making and Doing in practices, and Material Conversion and Processing in the context.

-Standards: Design in Technology and Engineering Education; the audience can try the engineering design process and also be challenged with broader, ill-defined design challenges that require different and more complex design approach.

-Practice: Making and Doing; the audience can learn how to safely use power tools and equipment, and use of five types of models (conceptual, mathematical, graphical, physical, virtual)

-Context: Material Conversion and Processing; the audience can utilize different kinds of materials to build a mood lamp; filament(PLA), acrylic paints, wood or any other materials can be used depends on what the audience will make.

Learning Objectives: you can learn how to design a mood lamp by planning, drawing, using different materials, and using a 3D pen.

Target Audience: Adults

-Designing a 3D lamp is not difficult for middle or high school students, but the filament is too hot to play with it for them. Therefore, I recommend adult people to try this activity or middle & high school students can try it with guardians.

Supplies

3D pen ($60 but there's also cheaper one on Amazon)

Filament (PLA- opacity, metal) ($14.99 =24 different colors, 10 feet)

Woodburning tool ($17.99)

lamp cord with a dimmer switch ($11.59 with extra bulbs)

Silicon mat ($10.99 for two pieces)

Paper & pencil & ruler & eraser

Step 1: Sketch a Drawing

First of all, you should sketch a drawing for a lamp. You can use this drawing or sketch your design. For this time we will make a triangular pyramid form, so we need four same triangles that are going to be sides. For the bottom, we need a small rectangular box to hold four triangles.

One side of the box: 87mm x 40mm

Triangle: 87mm x 140mm(h)

* These dimensions are due to lamp cord and bulb sizes. If you have a different size of lamp cord and bulb, please adjust the dimension of the drawings.

Step 2: Put a Safety Rubber on Your Finger

The most important thing is safety. The filament from the 3D pen is hot, so there is a risk of burns. Wear thick gloves or a safety rubber such as a picture.

Step 3: How to Use a 3D Pen and Wood-burning Tool?

These are tutorial videos to show how to use a 3D pen and wood-burning tool.

Before we start to use these tools, please watch these videos!

Step 4: Draw the Triangular Sides With 3D Pen

It's time to start using a 3D pen! When you draw with a 3D pen, put a silicone mat on the drawing. Drawing on a silicon mat is very useful because the filament does not stick and comes off easily. If you draw on ordinary paper, the filament will stick to the paper, and it will be hard to remove. The mat I use is baking, and it performs very well.
If you have a drawing, it won't be difficult to advance to the next level. After drawing along the lines in the drawing draw the frame firmly first to fill the sides of it. Stiffening the frame is important in the use of 3D pens. Draw it in various directions to make it solid. Then fill the sides.

Step 5: Make Bottom Pieces

The next step is making bottom pieces. This is so easy! Just make four pieces of 87mm x 40mm.

After filling the sides, you can make the surface smoothly with a wood-burning tool. This is optional, but adding more processes will make a better result. A wood-burning tool allows various textures to place on the surface; you can make wrinkles, rough surfaces, or drill holes. After adding all textures on the surface, simply connect each piece with a 3D pen.

*Tip! When you stick some pieces, simply use a 3D pen as a glue. If a piece is too big or heavy, you can use super glue.

Step 6: Combine Everything You Made

It's time to make a triangular pyramid! Stick every triangular piece together and attach it to the bottom one. Make sure all edges and vertex are stuck together sturdy!