EDUstick® Creators Club

Geometric pattern coaster

Create a round 90 mm coaster with your own PLA colour pattern. Join the short lines into an even grid and try it under a glass with a cold drink.

Your outcome: Make an even surface from a repeating motif.

Beginners of different ages; assistance matched to skills and device instructions. • 30–50 min total; pen 20–35 min — estimate

Illustration of the finished construction. Full-size (1:1) templates are supplied on a separate sheet.

Preparation

What you need

Additional items are needed. Prepare the complete list below before starting.

Tick off prepared items. Your selections are saved on this device.

base

3D pen for PLA, with power supply and pen standper person working1Transparent mat from the kitfor using the PLA pen on a level worktop1

template

Full pattern printed on regular A4 paperin the selected language, under the work mat1

tool

Rulerfor checking the 20 mm segment on the printout1

extra

Glass with a cold drinkwith a flat base that fits on the coaster1

tool

Scissors for small, cool PLA strandsfor a local correction; to be used by a person with suitable skills1

Work area and support

Level, clean worktopWork area, support, and stability test.1

Filament — amounts include extra

PLA 1.75 mm — Teal3.0 m · ≈ 9.0 g

Total filament: 3.0 m · approximately 9.0 g

The quantities include extra filament. Grams indicate estimated net filament mass, excluding packaging.

Preparation

Before you start

Print W01 at 100% scale and use a ruler to check the 20 mm segment. Place the pattern on a level worktop, then put the transparent mat from the kit on top.
Set up the pen for PLA by following its instructions. Choose your colours and pattern: for example, alternate two colours in successive rows. You can also use just one colour.

The large image shows the stage outcome; small views show the action. ×N: repeat the entire action N times, cooling and checking each time. Illustrations are not at 1:1 scale.

Session 1 • stage 1/4

Outline

Guide the PLA around the W01 circle on the mat and join the end to the start. Make an even outline about 2 mm wide in one layer. Choose its colour.

Check: The outline is closed and even.

If it does not work: Join the gap with a short strand of PLA on the mat.

Parts and methods for this stage

1 × Round 90 mm coaster · PLA
• template W01

On the transparent mat, make the outline, the horizontal rows and then the short vertical lines, following W01. Join the ends of the strands and bring the vertical lines up to the sides of the horizontal lines. Keep everything in one even 2 mm layer. Finished cross-section [mm]: 2 × 2. Support: The transparent mat from the kit, placed on a level worktop, supports the entire underside while you apply the PLA; this equipment is not a separate step or a model to make. Strand direction: Make the horizontal segments from the outline to the marked positions of the future W01 intersections, butt-joining successive segments, row by row. Then join the vertical segments to the sides of the horizontal ones in the same layer. Cooling: Leave the piece flat on the mat until completely cool and rigid. Do not move the fresh joints. Tip access: Open access from above for the nozzle to every segment.

Closed outline

Round 90 mm coaster

Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.

Session 1 • stage 2/4

First rows of the pattern

Start with the bottom row of W01. Draw short segments from the outline to each marked crossing until you reach the opposite edge. Start each new segment at the end of the previous one and continue straight away, without making a bump. Make the first five rows this way.

Choose a colour pattern, such as alternating two colours, and follow it in each row.

Check: Each row joins the outline at both ends, and the segments meet end to end.

If it does not work: Fill in the missing joint on the mat without adding a second layer.

First five rows joined to the outline

Round 90 mm coaster

Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.

Session 1 • stage 3/4

Finish your chosen colour pattern

Finish the remaining horizontal rows in your colour pattern. Then add short vertical lines following W01: use them to join neighbouring horizontal lines and connect the pattern to the outline. Bring them up to the sides of the finished strands without passing over the top. Make every line on the mat in one even layer.

Wait until the piece is completely cool.

Check: The whole pattern is joined, with no loose ends or tall bumps.

If it does not work: Fill in only the missing segment or joint. Keep the pattern at an even height.

Complete grid with short vertical lines

Round 90 mm coaster

Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.

Session 1 • stage 4/4

Use under a cold drink

Place the cold coaster on a level worktop. Put a glass with a cold drink in the centre, making sure its flat base fits on the coaster. Gently touch the glass from two sides without tilting it. Check that it stands steadily and look at your pattern under the glass.

Check: The glass stands without wobbling. Write down or say what you notice in your test.

If it does not work: Set the glass aside and check the worktop and the bottom of the glass. Ask an adult to help with any cooled strand that sticks out. Repair a loose joint with PLA on the mat, let the whole piece cool and repeat the test. If the coaster is warped or has tall joints, make it again.

Test under a glass with a cold drink

Complete model — all previously made parts

Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.

Finished — check the outcome

All the pattern lines are joined to one another and to the outline, with no loose ends.
A glass with a cold drink stands on the coaster without wobbling.

Save the model to your collection and rate the activity in the Creators Club.

Finished model

View 1

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Finished model

View 2

Compare your model with the illustration.