Tech+Ed+Innovations

Bella Farkas March 13, 2016 “Innovating on the ipad Stand” Mod 3

This quarter in Technology and Design Education (Tech Ed), Mr. Treinis decided to try something he’s never done before: have an open innovation period. Students were divided into groups based on their interests, with the purpose of improving different aspects of the iPad stand Mr. Treinis had created previously. The groups consisted of aesthetics, power (making it possible to charge your iPad while using the stand), marketing and storage. Though there were many ideas tossed around, Mr. Treinis narrowed them down to seven due to time, tools used in production and resources. The seven innovations included adding a curve at the bottom of the object, a plastic storage tube, a 3D printed flap to cover the storage tube, four holes (two on either side) for a charging cord to be fed through, two holes (one on either side) for ear buds, moving the j-hook that holds the iPad up to allow for charging and the addition of more stain colors (blue, green and black). This is by far the most complicated design that Mr. Treinis has ever had students make, as well as the only wood working project to ever include the use of the 3D printer in his class.

Possibly the coolest aspect about this project is the 3D printed door flap. Mr. Treinis’s class designed the flap using Sketchup, a program for 3D modeling used by many professionals such as engineers and architects. When his class was done with the actual specifications of the flap, everyone was allowed to add their desired text in any font they chose. Each product takes about forty five minutes to print before it is ready to be used by students.

Mr. Treinis is also trying another new thing, allowing students to choose how many details to incorporate in their product. While a few of the details are mandatory, such as the j-hook and the three assembly bars, most are optional. This way, students’ products will be exactly how they want them.

