Brick by Brick

Have you ever played with building bricks but the part you need just doesn’t exist? In this lesson you get the chance to remedy that! Design, model and 3D print your own custom parts compatible with LEGO™ and other mainstream building block manufacturers. Build the models that you have never been able to before and let your imagination run wild.
Subjects
BiologyComputingDesign and TechnologyMathematicsScience
Years | Grades
7th Grade | 11-12 years8th Grade | 12-13 years9th Grade | 13-14 years10th Grade | 14-15 years
Duration
Lesson 1: 90 minutes Lesson 2: 90 minutes Print Time: ~12 hours

Brick by Brick trailer
Play 0:36

Objectives

  • Design and measure to a precision of 0.2 mm
  • Design and 3D print a model component compatible with existing building block products
  • Demonstrate how to align objects in TinkerCAD or an alternate CAD program
  • Employ tolerances and offsets in TinkerCAD or an alternate CAD program
 

Tools and equipment

  • A selection of generic building blocks such as LEGO® 
  • Paper and pencils
  • Example building blocks from a variety of other brands (if available)
  • Example construction instructions (if available)
  • Pliers / scissors / snips / tweezers
  • Digital camera (optional extension activity)
 

Skill requirements

To participate in the lesson, students should be able to:
  • Follow dimensions displayed as a technical drawing.
  • Use TinkerCAD, Fusion 360 or Similar CAD software at an intermediate level
  • Be comfortable using DeeControl2 software including adjusting print settings
  • Use the BE3D EDEE 3D printer

Brick by Brick walkthrough
Locked Play 2:36

3D models overview

  • Total print time 17 hours 30 minutes
  • Total filament 28.5 m
  • Additional non-printable components
  • Printed all at once
1 x 2 brick
  • 20 minutes
  • 0.3 m
1 x 2 plate
  • 10 minutes
  • 0.13 m
1 x 4 plate
  • 20 minutes
  • 0.25 m
1 x 8 brick
  • 50 minutes
  • 1 m
1 x 8 plate
  • 20 minutes
  • 0.5 m
2 x 2 brick
  • 30 minutes
  • 0.5 m
2 x 2 doubler
  • 20 minutes
  • 0.35 m
2 x 2 plate
  • 20 minutes
  • 0.23 m
2 x 3 brick
  • 40 minutes
  • 0.75 m
2 x 3 plate
  • 20 minutes
  • 0.37 m
2 x 4 brick
  • 50 minutes
  • 1 m
2 x 4 doubler
  • 30 minutes
  • 0.65 m
2 x 4 plate
  • 20 minutes
  • 0.47 m
2 x 6 block
  • 50 minutes
  • 1.4 m
2 x 6 doubler
  • 40 minutes
  • 0.96 m
2 x 8 doubler
  • 40 minutes
  • 1.2 m
2 x 8 plate
  • 30 minutes
  • 1.2 m
Cylinder 1
  • 20 minutes
  • 0.26 m
Cylinder 2
  • 20 minutes
  • 0.26 m
Cylinder 3
  • 20 minutes
  • 0.26 m
FLIPPER
  • 30 minutes
  • 0.8 m
Hexagon block
  • 1 hour
  • 1.5 m
HINGE COMPLETE
  • 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 4.4 m
HINGE COMPLETE LARGE
  • 3 hours
  • 6.7 m
Name plate
  • 1 hour 15 minutes
  • 3 m
Note: Values are calculated for one set of models.

Lesson resources

  • Lesson plan
  • Example models
  • Worksheet
  • Walkthrough
  • Presentation
  • Walkthrough video
  • Supporting images and graphics
  • 3D models
  • 3D print instructions
  • Curriculum alignment