01763 249760  office@prototypeprojects.com

Request a Quote
Specialist in the manufacture of prototypes - Prototype Projects Specialist in the manufacture of prototypes - Prototype Projects
  • CNC Machining
    • CNC Turning
    • CNC Milling
    • CNC Materials
    • CNC Finishing
    • Service Levels
  • 3D Printing
    • SLS – Selective Laser Sintering
    • SLA – Stereolithography
    • Projection Micro Stereolithography (PµSL)
    • Polyjet 3D Printing
    • DLP – Digital Light Projection
    • SLS Dyeing
    • 3D Printing Materials
    • 3D Printing Finishing
    • Service Levels
  • Vacuum Casting
  • Model Making
  • Expertise
    • Low Volume Manufacturing
    • Rapid Prototyping
    • Laser Cutting
    • Inspection
  • Downloads
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Guides and whitepapers
    • Policies, forms and certificates
    • Process datasheets
    • Prototype materials datasheets
  • About
    • Customers
    • Our Team
    • Our values
    • Payment methods
    • Work with us
    • Privacy statement
    • News & Articles
    • Case Studies
    • Plant list
  • Contact
  1. Home
  2. Case Study
  3. STEM student’s summer challenge

STEM student's summer challenge

Professional prototyping for lockdown STEM student

With the prospect of a long 2020 summer, without GCSE exams and an end of school celebratory ball, 16-year-old Oscar Moden (son of Sadie, our marketing manager) was wondering how to occupy his time during lockdown.

Having spotted a STEM challenge being run by one of Prototype Projects’ clients, Cambridge Consultants, Sadie thought it was too good an opportunity for Oscar to miss. Challenged to design a toaster for a blind person, Oscar set to work and was soon delighted to find out he had been chosen as a winner.

In a LinkedIn comment, Vicky Larmour of Cambridge Consultants, said:

I really enjoyed judging all the entries and Oscar’s stood out a mile – both from the thought he had put into the features and how they would help the user, as well as the effort that had gone into capturing it in Google Sketchup.

Read more about Oscar’s winning entry here.

STEM student's summer challenge

An invitation

Recognising a passion for engineering in Oscar, having taken him for a tour around our prototyping facilities a few years earlier, Justin Pringle invited Oscar to work on another project to experience professional prototyping and to keep his skills fresh while waiting for his GCSE results and enrolling in college to undertake a Level 3 BTEC in Engineering.

Once again, seized by the engineering bug, Oscar set to work designing a case tower for his Raspberry Pi. Using Google Sketchup, Oscar went through numerous iterations as he tackled accurate measurements and the challenge of making a lip to enable two halves to join seamlessly.

STEM student's summer challenge

Home prototyping to professional prototyping

Oscar printed initial prototypes on his Prusa 3D Printer as he went along, but there were times when he struggled getting the designs to work. He said:

There’s a real difference between designing something for a competition and designing something to be printed. I had to make sure everything was accurate. It was frustrating at times, but I was determined to work out how to design it properly.

When he received his GCSE results at the end of the summer, his Distinction in Product Design and grade 9 in Design Technology acted as a boost and reignited Oscar’s waning enthusiasm.

STEM student's summer challenge

With one last push in between his college studies and a final self-printed prototype, Oscar’s Pi Scraper was ready for professional prototyping.

Oscar packaged his STL files up and sent them over to Justin, with a real sense of achievement. Justin passed the files over to the rapid prototyping team, to review and print the Pi Scraper.

As Oscar had no experience of professional prototyping services, the RP team guided him through the process. Upon their recommendation, the docking station was to be printed on the FDM machine, due to its size. It would be made from layers of ABS-M30, in white. The letters and arrows were to be printed in a grey material (a mixed material of Agilus 30 and Vero White to give a poly prop simulant RGDA8530) on the Polyjet machine and then attached by hand during the finishing process. The case base would be printed with the same material mix as the letters and arrows, whereas the case top would be printed in Vero White on the Polyjet machine.

Pi Scraper

Oscar couldn’t contain his excitement when the postman knocked on the door to deliver a package from Prototype Projects. He ripped open the box, pulled out the Haribos (much appreciated!) and then extracted his professionally 3D printed Pi Scraper.

STEM student's summer challenge

Oscar said:

I’m so grateful Justin gave me this opportunity. I have learnt so much more about how to design and how professional prototyping works. I’m really pleased I printed some early prototypes myself so I could fix problems as I went along. The Pi Scraper printed by Prototype Projects is perfect – my Pi and the components all fit.

STEM student's summer challenge

Justin said:

We have a long history of supporting university students and apprentices, so it was great to offer this opportunity to Oscar. He’s worked hard on this project. I look forward to prototyping professionally for Oscar once he’s a fully qualified design engineer!

STEM student's summer challenge

Similar case studies

  • Jack Lowe: portable infusion station
  • Harry Jones: wireless portable charging hub
Recent Popular
Projection Micro Stereolithography

What do we mean by ‘Precision’ ‘Micro’ ...

23 January 2023 Comments Off on What do we mean by ‘Precision’ ‘Micro’ Stereolithography?
3D Printing

The beginner’s guide to 3D printing

19 January 2023 Comments Off on The beginner’s guide to 3D printing
Star of the Month - Prototype Projects

Star of the Month

6 January 2023 Comments Off on Star of the Month
reflections on 2022

Reflections on 2022 from Justin Pringle

14 December 2022 Comments Off on Reflections on 2022 from Justin Pringle
Turner's Prize of Excellence

Turner’s Prize of Excellence 2022

13 December 2022 Comments Off on Turner’s Prize of Excellence 2022
Prototyping medical devices for patient contact

Prototyping medical devices for patient contact

22 September 2021 0
silicone tooling

LUMA-iD develops Buddy with silicone tooling

21 July 2022 0
Applications and design tips for SLS: a guide

Applications and design tips for SLS: a ...

27 November 2019 0
Projection Micro Stereolithography

What do we mean by ‘Precision’ ‘Micro’ ...

23 January 2023 Comments Off on What do we mean by ‘Precision’ ‘Micro’ Stereolithography?
reflections on 2022

Reflections on 2022 from Justin Pringle

14 December 2022 Comments Off on Reflections on 2022 from Justin Pringle

Comments are closed

Next Day Dispatch

Delivering Overnight Printing

Email: office@prototypeprojects.com
Tel: 01763 249760

Prototype Projects Ltd
Units 1&2, Greenfield
Royston,
Herts SG8 5HN

If you have questions about any aspect of our service, please contact us.


    UKAS
    Made In Britain - Prototype Projects
    Royston Business Awards - Prototype Projects
    Specialist in the manufacture of prototypes - Prototype Projects

    Sign up to our Company and Industry newsletter

    Sign up here
    Specialist in the manufacture of prototypes - Prototype Projects

    Prototype Projects, established in 1980, is a specialist in the manufacture of prototypes. The company is experienced in 3D Printing, CNC Machining, Rapid Prototyping, Model Making and Additive Manufacturing. The company is located in Royston, Hertfordshire.

    Trustpilot - Prototype Projects

    About | Our team | Our values | Customers | Work with us

    CNC Machining

    CNC Turning
    CNC Milling
    CNC Materials
    CNC Finishing
    Service Levels

    3D Printing

    SLS
    SLA
    PµSL
    Polyjet
    Digital Light Projection
    3D Printing Materials
    3D Printing Finishing
    Service Levels

    Expertise

    Low Volume Manufacturing
    Rapid Prototyping
    Laser Cutting
    Inspection

    Contact us

    Prototype Projects Ltd
    Units 1 &2, Greenfield
    Royston
    Herts SG8 5HN

    office@prototypeprojects.com
    T: 01763 249760

    © 2022 - Prototype Projects | Terms | Privacy | Web Design Indigo Ross

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    However, you may visit Cookie Settingsto provide a controlled consent. Reject All
    ACCEPT ALL
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT