Collaborative Workspace Model

3D printed model of a Collaborative workspace with Wooden and Styrofoam interior features.

• Computer with internet access
• 3D-Printer
• 1.5mm sheet of wood
• Small pieces of hard cushioning e.g. Styrofoam or cork, size dependent on your model

Open the Tinkercad Website (tinkercad.com) on your computer. You can create a new account if you've never worked with this software before using either your email or your Google account.

Create a new project in Tinkercad and select 3D Designs. This will lead you to a plane where you can digitally 3D model whatever you like. Many things have already been created, and basic shapes, writing, or other tools can be found in the shapes Panel on the right-hand side of your screen. You can quickly move your perspective by moving the cube found at the top left corner. You can also zoom in or out using the plus or minus buttons. Add some shapes, change their dimensions, and get to know this great program.

Now that you know what you're working with, you need to start thinking about what you want to create. In this particular process, I will be creating a model of a Collaborative workspace. I will use TinkerCad to first model the entire thing, and then create a 3D Print file by simply copying in the things that I would like to print. At this point, you should know the boundaries of TinkerCad and consider what you would like to do.

From now on, I will be explaining the steps I took for my own model. These may not apply to you, depending on your idea. First, set up your grid in TinkerCad by clicking the settings button. However large your 3D Printer is (or you want your model to be), set the width and length accordingly. Then add your first 4 Walls with the correct measurements to shape the foundations of your project. Add a Floor if you need one, but keep in mind that any objects need to be manually lifted to the thickness of the floor so as not to sink within the floor.

Now that you have the foundation, you can add larger interior features such as interior Walls, couches, or desks. I first added my wall as it was the easiest. I then searched for an appropriate couch and resized it to fit my interior. I then searched for an appropriate 3D model of a desk, resizing and positioning it to fit my project.

Note: The image shown is a few steps ahead as I do not have picture of this intermediate step

It's essential to consider lighting and entry when building an architectural structure. Plan your windows carefully not to leave inhabitants blinded or sitting in the dark. You want to position your windows strategically to best illuminate areas which need it. When actually creating the windows themselves, you can add a box the size of your window and then select 'Hole' when clicking on the shape. You can then select the wall in which the window is in and then group these together, leaving a hole in the wall fit for a transparent substitute or the way it is. Doors can take a lot of different shapes and forms in TinkerCad, but I decided to keep it simple by simply having an always-open door that fits the architectural style. Other options are printing these doors separately and adding hinges to make them functional or leaving them out entirely.

As you may have seen from a previous step, I added basic furniture such as a chair and Flipchart. Most regular-sized furniture can be easily found by searching for a specific shape. Some, however, require creativity, as I did when using a differently colored square to represent the WhiteBoard. I later fixed this by adding a white piece of paper resembling a FlipChart. If you're looking for the furniture on TinkerCad, make sure to resize it as you see fit. You can also combine multiple existing elements to form new ones; for example I used cylinders as Table legs and then cut a circle into quarters to make a rounded table of a quarter circle.

Smaller Details, such as stationery items, or smaller items, such as boxes for whiteboard markers, can be added by searching for shapes. If you do not find the item you are looking for, perhaps search for alternatives, as making your own model may take far more time than you realize. I found a box for markers quickly, recoloring and resizing this to go next to the whiteboard. I then spent an hour customizing the imperfect sticky notes I found, which was primarily a waste of time as the difference was minor. You can see these sticky notes to the right of the whiteboard.

Once you've added your interior features, add a roof. Make sure it's sized correctly. You can include windows using the same method I've described previously. Make sure to 3D print the roof separately, as it does not have a constant support structure. The reason we're adding the roof now is because of the time and effort it takes to add interior features when a roof has been added. It's hard to get a zoomed-out top view of the layout, and other perspectives are restricted.

If you like, you can add human models to your design to create a good feel for the scale of your project. This can be helpful for scaling or presentations. Make sure that once you print the file, the models are lying down, face-up, to minimize support structures.

At this stage, you should have a correctly scaled model including all details you want in your final Product. Now go ahead and create a second TinkerCad project titled "Print File (name of your project)". Select your entire model, copy it, and paste it into the new blank one. Once you've done that, go ahead and delete everything that you don't want 3D printed. For example, I don't want my couches, tabletops, or desk 3D-Printed, so I will delete that. Keep in mind you should still have your complete model with all your details and elements in the other project.

Now open a 3rd TinkerCad project title "Print file 2 (name of your project)". Go back to your 1st print file and copy everything you want to print separately, in my case, the roof, human models, and television. You should keep in mind that these are the items that either need to be fixed with glue, are free to move, or should only be attached loosely. essentially anything that requires elaborate support structures or takes up a lot of space outside of the house (reducing its print size).

Depending on what 3D printer you have, a quick google search should prove fruitful in finding the appropriate slicer for your model. Download that slicer (in my case, the PrusaSlicer). Now go to your first print file, select all, and click group, then click export and select stl. This should start a download which you can then enter into the slicer. Make sure your file fits the printing surface of the printer and looks the way you want it to. If it does not, go back to TinkerCad and change the set-up in settings or resize your model. Once you are happy with the file you have in the slicer, go ahead and download the Gcode. Put this on a USB or SD card, depending on the input of your 3D printer. Do the same for the other print file.

Insert the SD card or USB into the printer and start the printing process.

Once the 3D prints have been completed, start assembling the parts. In my case, all I have to do is attach the TV to its designated position using Hot Glue. You may want to attach the roof, add hinges to the doors or connect other 3D-printed pieces.

Now go back to your model and see what things you still need to add using wood or other physical materials. In my case, I'm going to add my desk, Tabletop, and chair using the 1.5mm Wood I described in the supplies. I'll stuff the chair and desk support and create couches using styrofoam and cork. You can add a covering on the top, such as felt or leather if you feel the need to.