Beyond the Blueprint: Creating a Galaxy - Post 3 3d Printing - Ugh

First attempt at 3D printing…..

If you’ve ever tried to build something, you know things rarely go as planned. And if you’ve ever tried to 3D print, you know that’s a special kind of understatement. I brought a project to a fantastic engineering teacher who was kind enough to lend his time and two 3D printers—which hadn't been used since the end of last school year and had been sitting idle all summer.

I had files for four small eyepiece adapters and a shiny new spool of PETG filament, and I was full of optimism. My teacher friend loaded the files, set the parameters, and hit “Go.” The printer estimated 7.5 hours for just four small parts, which put the scale of this project into perspective. With roughly 70 pieces to print in total, it felt a little daunting.

I came back the next day, expecting to see some progress, but instead, we had a glorious "bird's nest" of plastic. Apparently, this is a normal rite of passage in the world of 3D printing. The machines can be finicky and have to be “dialed in” just right, a fact that became even clearer when it happened a second time. My friend, bless his heart, has the patience of Job and promised to keep tinkering, but the idea of just buying the parts started to become a real possibility.

Still, the true value of this project isn't just in the final product. The journey—full of setbacks and problem-solving—is proving to be the real lesson. It's about patience, perseverance, and, most importantly, making connections. I'm heading to a star party tonight and hope to get some advice from a friend named Bert, who has experience printing similar parts.

It’s a good reminder that every problem is an opportunity to learn something new or meet someone who can help. And who knows, maybe the connections I make will be more important than the telescope itself. Finally, and most important, it helps me to be much more empathetic and compassionate with students who are honestly trying their best but have some unexpected setbacks. Maybe that is the most important lesson……

This is a true story written by Chad Husting with the assistance of artificial intelligence.