S T

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Project
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3D Propeller
Student Manual
Project brief

How can I make such a

3D propeller?

In this STEM project, we are going to make a 3D propeller with repetitive units using 3D printing.

Learning goals
1. Appreciate the connection between mathematics and art.
2. Design a figure with repetitive units by rotation for making a propeller.
3. Explore 3D modeling using software.
4. Gain the experience of 3D printing by printing a 3D propeller.

STEM Element involved

Measurement

Mathematics
Rectangular
Coordinate System Rotation Measurement
導電體的 閉合
特性 電路

Model design
3D printing GeoGebra Tinkercad
and making

Technology Engineering

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Suggested material and tools

 Computer  3D printer
(either in school or printing shops)

 Pliers*  Scissors / cutter*

 Flathead screwdrivers*  Tweezers*

 Sandpapers*

*Note: These tools may be needed for finishing if we print 3D propellers using 3D printers in
school.

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Read the article ‘Rotation and rotational symmetry’.

Rotation and Rotational Symmetry

Amy Harry

We can start with a simple figure (or a basic unit). By repeating the figure several times using
rotation, we can get a figure with rotational symmetry.

In the above example, the figure is rotated clockwise about ‘×’ through 90° each time.

We can form another figure with rotational symmetry by repeating the simple figure 6 times.

Consider the figure as shown on the right. The figure has 3 repetitive units. We

can use rotation to build such a figure starting with the basic unit . Since a

round angle is 360°, the basic unit is rotated through , i.e. 120° each time.
Therefore, by rotating the basic unit about ‘×’ through 120° twice, we can obtain
the required figure as shown below.

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Task 2 Design a Figure with Repetitive Units
by Rotation using GeoGebra
In this task, we will design a figure with repetitive units by rotation using GeoGebra. The figure
will then be used to build a propeller by 3D printing in Task 3.

Rotate an object in GeoGebra

First of all, let’s get familiar with a software called GeoGebra. In GeoGebra, we can use two
different methods to rotate an object.

Method I: Use ‘Rotate around Point’ tool

Select ‘Rotate around Point’ tool in the toolbar located at the top of the GeoGebra window.

Select the object you want to rotate and then click on a point to specify the centre of rotation. A
dialog window will appear and you can enter the angle of rotation and choose the direction of
rotation.

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Method II: Use ‘Rotate’ command
Type the following command in the input bar located at the bottom of the GeoGebra window.

Rotate(<Object>, <Angle>, <Point>)

where <Object>: the name of the object that you want to rotate;
<Angle>: the angle of rotation; ◄ The degree symbol ‘°’ can be entered by using
<Point>: the centre of rotation. shortcut Alt + O .

Note that <Angle> should be positive for anti-clockwise direction and negative for clockwise
direction.

For example:
Rotate the rectangle q1 anti-clockwise about Rotate the rectangle q1 clockwise about the
the origin (0, 0) through 90° origin (0, 0) through 90°

Image
Name of Name of Object
the object the object

Object Image

Command Command

Command: Rotate(q1, 90°, (0,0)) Command: Rotate(q1, –90°, (0,0))

If we have to rotate the figure repeatedly for a large number of times, it may be tedious to enter the
command again and again. Actually, the ‘Sequence’ command can be used to simplify the whole
process.

Sequence(<Expression>, <Variable>, <Start Value>, <End Value>)

where <Expression>: the ‘Rotate’ command in terms of <Variable>

<Variable>: an index that ranges from <Start Value> to <End Value>
<Start Value>: the start value of <Variable>
<End Value>: the end value of <Variable>

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For example:
To rotate a rectangle q1 anti-clockwise about the origin (0, 0) through 90°, 180° and 270°
respectively, we can enter the following command.

Sequence( Rotate( q1 , i*90° , (0, 0) ) , i , 1 , 3 )

Then, GeoGebra will execute the following commands and 3 more rectangles will be obtained.
Rotate( q1 , 1*90° , (0, 0) ) ◄ Rotate anti-clockwise about the origin through 90°

Rotate( q1 , 2*90° , (0, 0) ) ◄ Rotate anti-clockwise about the origin through 180°

Rotate( q1 , 3*90° , (0, 0) ) ◄ Rotate anti-clockwise about the origin through 270°

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Example on how to draw a figure with repetitive units using GeoGebra

The figure on the right has 12 repetitive units. The basic unit is rotated

through , i.e. 30° each time. In the following, we will try to draw

this figure using GeoGebra.

1. Input the coordinates of the vertices of 3. Select the basic unit. Change its colour to
your basic unit. Select the ‘Polygon’ tool black.
and select all the vertices of your basic
unit, then the first vertex again.

4. Increase the line thickness to its greatest.

2. Click the ‘ ’ button on the top left corner

of the ‘Graphics’ view and you are able
to change the setting of the basic unit that
you draw.

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5. In the ‘Algebra’ view, right click an object 8. Select and change the whole figure to be
to open the right-click menu. Use the fully transparent by dragging the following
menu to hide the labels of all the objects slider to its leftmost position.
and hide the vertices of the basic unit.

6. Rotate and repeat the basic unit using

either methods 1 or 2 written on pages 9. Right click anywhere in the ‘Graphics’
5 − 6. In this demonstration, the angle of view and click ‘Axes’, then ‘Grid’ to hide
rotation is 30° and the centre of rotation is the axes and the grid lines.
the origin (0, 0).

10. Save your file in ‘ggb’ format for backup.

7. Repeat the above step until you get the
figure with 12 repetitive units. Then, hide
the centre of rotation.

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11. Export the file in ‘png’ format.

Watch a video on how to draw

this figure using GeoGebra.

Now, let’s start to build your own figure with repetitive units.

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 Task 3 Make a Propeller with Repetitive Units
In this task, we will use(Optional)
an online platform ‘Tinkercad’
to turn your design in Task 2 into a 3D Propeller model
and then print it out by using a 3D printer. This platform
can only handle files of image designed in ‘svg’ format.
Therefore, we need to convert file format from ‘png’ to
‘svg’ first. Search ‘png to svg’ through Internet. Choose
an online converter and use it to convert your ‘png’ file
obtained in Task 2 to ‘svg’ format.

After that, search ‘Tinkercad’ through Internet and create an account on ‘Tinkercad’. By clicking
‘LEARN’ on the top of the front page, you may join the ‘Step-by-Step Lessons’ and learn the basic
controls of ‘Tinkercad’.

Basic techniques of using ‘Tinkercad’

In ‘Tinkercad’, you can control your model by using a mouse as follows.
Move the cursor to the arrows on top or on the right of the model and
Rotate the model
drag the mouse
Zoom in and out Scroll the mouse wheel up and down
Move the model Left click the model and drag the mouse

You may refer to the following figure for other main features of ‘Tinkercad’.

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Turn your design into a 3D Propeller model

1. Login and click the button ‘Create new 4. Select the model and the ‘Shape’ dialog
design’ in the front page to start a new will be appeared. Then, select the ‘Solid’
model. option in the ‘Shape’ dialog and change
the model to white.

2. Click ‘Import’ at the top right corner of

the page, then choose the ‘svg’ file that
you prepared.

5. Set your model to a suitable size by

dragging the white dot on the bottom right
of the model. You can also input the exact
size by clicking on the number.
3. To avoid that the model is too big for the
workplace, just simply set the length or
width as ‘100’ first. We are able to change
the size later. Then, click ‘Import’.

6. Set your propeller to a suitable thickness by

dragging the white dot on the centre of the
model. You can also input the exact
thickness by clicking on the number.

Watch a video on how to make

a 3D propeller model with
‘Tinkercad’

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If your 3D propeller is ready for 3D printing, you may follow the procedures below.

1. Click the ‘Export’ button.

2. Click the button ‘.OBJ’ or ‘.STL’ to download OBJ file or

STL file. (Please ask your teacher which file type should be
downloaded.)

After finishing your model

Remember to double check against the checklist below.

□ Is the model completed?

□ Does your model have repetitive units formed by rotation?
□ Is your 3D propeller in one colour only?
□ Are the parts connected to others? (No parts should be isolated from others.)

All parts should be

connected together.

If your 3D propeller is ready for 3D printing, you may follow the procedures below.

1. Click the ‘Export’ button.

2. Click the button ‘.OBJ’ or ‘.STL’ to download OBJ file or

STL file. (Please ask your teacher which file type should be downloaded.)

Your teacher may decide to choose some good

designs
from the whole class and have them printed.
Then you will gain 1 bonus mark

~ End ~

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