We all know that resources are really worth in crisis situations, and that it is difficult to keep children motivated when they have to be isolated, at home. So I stopped to think and I wondered: What can people have in every house in the world that can be used to develop a game or toy? And yes, too many products came to my mind. What is also disposable and can be used as a design product? Without a doubt: the cardboard roll used in toilet paper and paper towel was the most suitable element!

Based on that, I developed a building pieces kit for children over 4 years old to enhance and challenge their imaginative skills and to build up their own creativity.

The kit is made up of 3 pieces (A, B, C) that are fit together to create different shapes with the use of cardboard rolls. Optionally, I offer 3 more pieces (D, E, F) to have more possibilities of combination or to use them when cardboard rolls are not used.

I developed the pieces to be printed with the least amount of material and time possible, even without the need for support material. The design of details was taken into account; I considered adding chamfers in the areas where the roll comes into contact with the piece to allow it to fit more easily. Also, the fitting has a tolerance of 0.08mm around the perimeter so that it slides but without loosening.

Before printing the kit, I recommend printing the test piece first to check the correct fitting with the cardboard roll available at home. If the diameter does not match, it must be adjusted in the editable model to reprint and check again. Once the fitting is achieved, printing can be started. I clarify that the attached pieces are designed for a roll with a diameter of 46mm and 0.75mm of thickness.

Enjoy the toy at home!

A little about me: I am an Industrial Designer from Argentina; I live in the interior of the country. Last year, I had the opportunity to travel to Europe for the first time, for a Working Holiday VISA in Denmark. I worked there and it helped me save money to buy my first Prusa printer, which I had been wishing for years. At the end of the last year, I came back to Argentina and I started an independent undertaking of a mini design studio at home. Precisely, the idea came from the purchase of the excellent i3 mk3s. Today, the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 and the bad economic situation that my country is going through make it difficult for me to work fully with design. Despite that, I have a little more time for being in quarantine so I can participate in this brilliant contest. Thank you for giving people this possibility.

Kind regards,

Jonatan Lelli
@lelli.industrialdesign

Print instructions

The building pieces kit can be printed with practically any available material and color, with a 0.2mm layer height and as many as you want. I recommend printing a minimum of 20 pieces to guarantee the kit, which can be printed in less than 14 hours. I provide, of course, the editable files to adjust the diameters in the first 3 pieces (A, B, C) if required.

Minimum set of 20 pieces:
Piece A, quantity 4
Piece B, quantity 4
Piece C, quantity 4
Piece D, quantity 2
Piece E, quantity 2
Piece F, quantity 4