EDUstick® Creators Club
Bridge over a small obstacle
Build a three-dimensional bridge from two identical frames and a filled deck. Choose your own PLA colours, join the supported parts and invent a crossing for a lightweight paper character over a drawn river.
Your outcome: Join three parts into a useful three-dimensional object for play.
Illustration of the finished construction. Full-size (1:1) templates are supplied on a separate sheet.
Session praca-domowa • stage 1/8
Two identical frames
After laying out the templates, close outline A with its feet. Fill the feet, legs and beam with strands; add a second layer. Cool flat. Repeat the outline and fill for B.
Check: Both cool frames have identical feet and the same top-beam height.
If it does not work: Fill gaps on the template; do not bend a warped cool frame.
Parts and methods for this stage
1 × Frame A · PLA for your pen
• template 1
Outline, adjacent strands in the legs, beam and wide feet; a second identical layer on the first. Cool flat. Finished cross-section [mm]: 1.2 × 2.2. Support: The entire outline and first layer lie on a surface suitable for PLA; the second layer lies on the first. Strand direction: Close the outline, fill the feet and legs lengthwise and the beam crosswise; repeat on top. Cooling: Allow it to cool completely before removing and standing up the frame. Tip access: Work from above on a flat template.
1 × Frame B · PLA for your pen
• template 2
Outline, adjacent strands in the legs, beam and wide feet; a second identical layer on the first. Cool flat. Finished cross-section [mm]: 1.2 × 2.2. Support: The entire outline and first layer lie on a surface suitable for PLA; the second layer lies on the first. Strand direction: Close the outline, fill the feet and legs lengthwise and the beam crosswise; repeat on top. Cooling: Allow it to cool completely before removing and standing up the frame. Tip access: Work from above on a flat template.
Second frame completed
Frame A · Frame B
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session praca-domowa • stage 2/8
Deck outline and ribs
On the third template, close the rectangular outline. Add five ribs across it, each running from one long edge to the other.
Check: The outline is closed; all ribs touch both edges.
If it does not work: Join a loose end with a short bead on the flat surface.
Parts and methods for this stage
1 × Deck · PLA for your pen
• template 3
120 × 60 mm outline, five short ribs, adjacent fill strands from the left end, second full layer. Finished cross-section [mm]: 1.2 × 2.2. Support: First layer on a flat surface suitable for PLA; the strands reach the outline, ribs and neighbouring strands. The second layer lies on the first. Strand direction: Outline, ribs running across, fill with successive strands from the left end; then a second layer. Cooling: Cool flat without lifting the warm corners. Tip access: From above, without bridging in mid-air.
Then five ribs
Deck
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session praca-domowa • stage 3/8
Fill the entire deck
Starting at the left end, lay adjacent strands up to halfway. Fill the rest, joining the strands to the outline and ribs. Add a second full layer. Cool flat.
Check: The deck has a fully filled surface and flat corners.
If it does not work: Fill any gaps; remake a warped cool deck flat.
Entire surface and second layer
Deck
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session praca-domowa • stage 4/8
Test-fit the three cool parts
Stand A and then B parallel in the clear area. A helper holds the cool feet. Lower the deck onto both beams; its sides should cover them, and its ends should project equally.
Check: Both beams support the deck, including at the four joint locations.
If it does not work: Remove the deck and adjust the spacing between the frames. Do not force it into place or bend the PLA.
Cool deck on the beams
Frame A · Frame B · Deck
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session praca-domowa • stage 5/8
Four supported tacks
A helper holds the cool feet out of the nozzle's path. From the outside, tack the two ends of frame A and then the two ends of B. Join each joint with one short bead from the beam to the deck; hold it until it cools.
Check: There are four cool tacks, and the deck still lies flat on both beams.
If it does not work: Cool a separating joint, correct its position and make the tack again before reinforcing it.
Parts and methods for this stage
1 × Tack and reinforcement 1; 1 × Tack and reinforcement 2; 1 × Tack and reinforcement 3; 1 × Tack and reinforcement 4 · PLA for your pen
• template follow the written method
Tack the supported joint and allow it to cool; later, add two adjacent reinforcement beads. Finished cross-section [mm]: 1.4 × 3.8. Support: The deck rests on both beams; the helper holds the cool feet on the side opposite the nozzle. Strand direction: From the outer face of the beam to the edge of the deck, a short distance upwards. Cooling: After each tack and reinforcement, hold it still until the PLA stiffens and cools. Tip access: From the outside of the frame, diagonally from above; keep the hand at the cool foot, out of the nozzle's path.
Four tacks after cooling
Tack and reinforcement 1 · Tack and reinforcement 2 · Tack and reinforcement 3 · Tack and reinforcement 4
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session praca-domowa • stage 6/8
Reinforce the four joints
After all the tacks have cooled, add two short strands next to each one. Work from the outside: the ends of A, then B. A helper supports the cool feet; allow each joint to cool before moving to the next.
Check: Each bead joins the beam to the deck; the parts have not changed position.
If it does not work: If a joint moves, stop and let it cool. Correct the position and that joint before continuing.
All joints reinforced
Tack and reinforcement 1 · Tack and reinforcement 2 · Tack and reinforcement 3 · Tack and reinforcement 4
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session praca-domowa • stage 7/8
River and paper character
Release the completely cool bridge. Draw a river up to 70 mm wide on paper and slide it between the feet. Draw a character on a 30 × 20 mm scrap; fold it in half to form a small tent shape.
Check: The bridge stands unsupported, and the lightweight paper figure has two even bottom edges.
If it does not work: Adjust the river's position or the paper fold. If the bridge wobbles, check the feet and joints.
Figure as a tent shape
Paper sheet with the drawn river · Paper river · Lightweight paper figure
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session praca-domowa • stage 8/8
Your crossing
Place one lightweight paper figure in the centre of the deck. Name the river and invent a journey for the character. Move the bridge only when it is cool.
Check: The bridge stands unsupported and spans the river, and the figure remains on the deck. This is for play, not a load-bearing test.
If it does not work: Remove the figure if anything wobbles. Check the position of the feet and repair a separating joint before continuing to play.
Completed scene
Lightweight paper figure
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Finished model
View 1
Compare your model with the illustration.
