Table of Contents
That’s a HUGE Duck!
The Great Duck Project was created a joint effort between two groups, The Maker Faire Westport and the Westport Sunrise Rotary club. Mark Mathias, the founder of the Maker Faire Westport, decided to use his 3D printers to put a spin on things. In fact, the goal of The Great Duck Project is to complete a 6 foot tall 3D printed duck. This project’s goal is to tie in art with The Great Duck Race fundraiser. In short, the race will feature 3000 rubber ducks being released into the Saugatuck River!
Scaling and Cutting with LuBan!
I knew immediately after finding this posting in LuBan’s Facebook group that this was exactly what LuBan had been created for. Mark and his team used LuBan to scale and cut the duck model. As a result, they transformed a simple duck model into a 6 foot tall giant with 476 pieces! Mark partnered with Nick and Jesse from Greens Farms Academy. Greens Farms Academy will receive, inspect and assemble the giant 3D printed duck.
Want to Help Out?
If you are interested in helping with the 3D printed duck, go here and fill out the web form to request a piece of the duck. Print the part in PLA, PETG, or any other kind of rigid material. In other words, make sure your piece is structurally sound and send it to:
Nicholas Iacobelli, Greens Farms Academy, 35 Beachside Ave, Westport, CT 06838 USA – The due date for part arrival is April 1st, 2019.
We’re Doing It!
Andrew Delisle ,Part 208 – of the Great Duck Project printed in 3D Hero Red PETG. Ultimately, after reading about the Great Duck Project, I decided to join. I will be printing my part in 3D Hero Red PETG on my Tevo Tornado! My next filament review will be on this filament!
You Should 3D Print A Duck Part!
If you are also participating in this project, feel free to send us some pictures of your print and we can put them in this article! In fact, check out what some of the contributors are saying below:
Fred Williams, Part 170 – The Great Duck Project. When I saw this project, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I mean it is a 6 foot rubber duck, how cool is that. I requested the part from the website and the next day it was in my inbox.
Straight On To Print!
It went straight on the printer as it was in between prints and a mere 8 hours later, it was done and ready to be boxed up and sent off. I think projects like this are really cool for the 3D printing community and it should get a great response.
If they end up short, I will offer to print a second or even a third one for them. In my opinion, this is what the community is about, helping each other out. It cost me next to nothing to print it and send it out. I hope other people really get excited and want to contribute to this.
David Hunt, Parts 300, 301, 332, 333 and 334 – I’m glad I have finally put my 3d printer to proper use. I am a retired cnc machinist who wants to keep his brain working so I was very pleased to see this crowd-funded idea. I was more than happy to help, I have printed 5 bits and am now packing them for shipping to USA.
William Hile And Elizabeth Hile, Parts 292,293 – I saw the great Duck project and Immediately knew I had to be a part of it. See My Wife LOVES ducks we have them all over the place but that is cool. Also, she has MS so I printed my parts in all Orange for MS awareness and to show support for her and the cause… And everyone Loves a 6 foot Duck, right? By the way, she is 6 feet tall and so this was definitely a match. Love the project And love and support my wife and her Ducks… The parts I printed are for her.
Casey Rinehart, Parts 191 – Be a part of a potential Guinness Book record? Get that opportunity by using my 3D printer? How could I possibly say no to that!? I love that we live in a time where someone has an idea, can use an avenue such as social media to carry that idea forward into a project, and then truly amazing community volunteers to make it a reality.
I responded to the call and to my surprise, I learned that I was the first to have my contribution arrive. My kids may look back in the future and not even remember this moment. I don’t care! It was an honor to participate in a common goal and the lesson for my kids is about answering the call when requested, not about the fame the record may bring. I’m not able to see the finished project in person, but the joy I feel is not diminished one bit. Long live The Great Duck Project.
Just the Beginning?
Will the Great Duck Project jump-start a crowd building revolution? In other words, will any other groups use LuBan in a similar way? The way this project blends technology, crowdsourcing, and art is pretty sweet. Obviously, I can’t wait to see the completed giant 3D printed duck or other offshoots this project inspires.
Interested in trying LuBan for yourself? download Luban and be sure to read my Luban tutorial! check out Luban features.
3D Printed Duck Hows It Quacking Along
