After ten-year-old Ohdin saw his classmates carrying around 3D prints, he began wondering how he could make cool toys so he could use them when he got bored.
Nicole, Ohdin’s mom, told me with a laugh, “When Ohdin gets passionate about something, he dives in. He doesn’t get his feet wet, he just knows what he likes.” While Ohdin started with a 3D pen, he realized that to make more specific prints, he would need a bigger machine. Ohdin asked his classmates where they were printing all of their neat designs and learned that the Herrick District Library had a space called Groundworks, with 3D printers available.
To print his figures on the HDL 3D printer, Ohdin first needed to figure out how to make it work. He met with Mr. Tim from Groundworks, who taught him everything he needed to know. By the time Ohdin started his second print, Nicole shared that he remembered every step.
Ohdin’s favorite design so far is an articulated corn cob, meaning that there are multiple 3D printed joints that move with each other in the long black legs attached to the corn. With acrylic painted eyes and a bright yellow color, Ohdin made this gift specifically for his Papa, who lives in Tennessee and grows corn on the mountainside. This print took more than 16 hours to finish.
Because of the distinct types of filaments used in printing, some of Ohdin’s designs include optical illusions such as shadows. When Ohdin wants to make a new 3D printed design, he looks online for inspiration and reads different comments to make sure the piece will print right. Unfortunately, not every 3D printed design turns out. Sometimes, the filament can experience low bed adhesion and curl into strange shapes.
Ohdin always tries to reserve the last appointment of the day in Groundworks, so that he can print larger models overnight and pick them up in the morning. He also has created gifts for his classmates using the 3D printing machine. Other designs include pumpkin spiders, wall décor, keychains, and many diverse types of animals. During the school year, Ohdin comes to the library nearly every day to check his prints.
For his grandma, who Ohdin calls Gigi, he designed a magnet, saying, “I thought it would be cool if she could hang it on her fridge because she loves birds a lot.”
Each design requires a different type of internal structure. Ohdin explained, “If it’s too high, then it needs supports inside, so it doesn’t just tip over on the board and break.”
Ohdin’s not the only crafty one in his family. Nicole has taken lessons on some of the machines in Groundworks, and her daughter also loves to sew small stuffed animals by hand.
Schedule an appointment with a Groundworks team member today and learn more about the resources available.
