Last week one of my students send me this link of this Endless Calendar asking me that could we make this using a 3D printer. Woodworking has not yet started for these 5th graders. Tinkercad is a pretty safe option for them. I loved his idea and decided to give it a try using Tinkercad.

In this assignment, students will use Tinkercad to construct their own endless calendar. I have leveled this assignment according to the skill level of my 5th-grade students who have just started 3D designing and have basic knowledge of using Tinkercad.

This project will further sharpen and strengthen students' measurement, perception, and logical thinking skills which is vital for 3D designing.

Supplies

1) Computer with an internet connection

2) Tinkercad account

Step 1: Copy and Tinker

With each task, I have shared the templets. Please click the template link provided with each task, login to your Tinkercad account. Then click on the "Copy and Tinker" icon on the left. The task will open, rename your design by clicking the "Change Name" box at the top left.

Now, we are ready to go.

Step 2: Lets Tinker: Calendar Date Box: Task 1

Templet For Task 1

or Click::https://www.tinkercad.com/things/fGUHvnT9H5W-cool-snicket-juttuli

What: For this task, students have to insert the hollow cuboid inside the bigger sold cuboid so that we get solid cuboid with an empty pocket at the top(see pic 2 above). Now, motivate the students to tinker so that we have a solid cuboid with two equal empty pockets, 10mm apart with a thickness of the cuboid box 5mm on each side(see pic 3 above).

How: In the First picture above, notice that the hollow cuboid has some dimensions marked in red circles. Students will need to adjust these dimensions accurately in order to complete this task.

Hint: L, B, and H = Length, Breadth, and Height of hollow cuboid. Z= height of hollow cuboid above the working plane. X and Y are the distance of the hollow cuboid from the X and Y axes. Dimensions of solid cuboid

157mm x 57.50mm x 52mm

Step 3: Lets Tinker: Calendar Date Box: Task 2

Templet for Task 2:

or Click: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/fGUHvnT9H5W-cool-snicket-juttuli

What: For this task, students have to insert the hollow tower at the junction of the two hollow pockets(see pic 2 above). The end result should look like the one in picture 3 above.

How: Students should alter the X and Y measurements to complete this task successfully.

Hint: Dimensions of middle solid cross-section 10mm x 28mm x 60mm

Step 4: Lets Tinker: Calendar Date Box: Task 3

Templet for Task 3:

or Click: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/fGUHvnT9H5W-cool-snicket-juttuli

What: For this task, students have to insert the hollow cylinder at the lower left and upper right face of the solid cuboid to construct 2 circular windows 1 and 2(see pic 5 above). The window should be in the middle of the faces and 10mm from the top and bottom.

How: Rotate the cylinder to 90 degrees on its axis and tinker with its dimensions to successfully complete the task.

Hint: Keep in mind the dimensions of the solid cuboid.

Step 5: Lets Tinker: Calendar Date Box: Task 4

What: For this task, students have to construct a lid and date tiles for the date box. Further, they will also write the numbers on the date tiles. The numbering should be clearly visible from the circular window.

How: Simply drag a solid cuboid to the workplace and alter its dimensions according to that of the date box.

Hint:Lid: Dimension of date box. Date Tiles: Inner dimensions of the date box. Dimensions of the tiles should be such that there is a space of 2mm around the stacks of the tiles once they are inserted inside the box.

Step 6: Let Tinkering Continue: Months and Year, Boxes and Tiles

Now that students have learned to construct the complex DAte box with its tiles, its time to push them further and let them tinker to contrast the complete Perpetual calender.

The prize for my student will be: Getting their design 3D printed. They will Love it !!

Don't forget to help them assemble it once they print it out, Or even Great, LET THEM TINKER :-)

Step 7: Students Work Examples

Example 1:Picture 1 above.

This is the box for month tiles with lid. The dimensions are 56mm x 82mm x 110mm. The student has used a rectangular window with the dimensions of 85mm x 20mm. The solid tower in the middle of the box which is separating the two pockets is 10mm x 20mm x 110mm.

Example 2:Picture 2 and 3 above.

This is a Date tile. The picture above shows the front and back view of a tile(number 23 compliments with 8. Check Step 5). The dimensions used for tile is 65mm x 45mm x 5mm. For the digit, dimensions are 15mm x 20mm x 10mm. The digit is 3mm above Z-axis(working plane) and 13mm from the X and Y-axis.

Example 3:Picture 4 above.

These are 3 stands for the calendar. The dimensions of the smaller tower are 115mm x 15mm 15mm. The two bigger towers are of dimensions 185mm x 15mm x 15mm.