Map of Europe with Flags

This geography teaching aid is designed for students aged 12 to 15. It can also be used for after-school youth clubs.

Practical knowledge of a laser or color inkjet printer to print out the flags and laminate them. Lamination is not required and users can skip this step. Flags then have to be cut into 15x10mm shapes. Basic knowledge of 3D print required to upload the .gcode onto an SD card, place the card into the printer, prepare the printing mat, insert the filament and start the print of attached .gcode files. This method applies to the Prusa MK3S 3D printer and standard PLA filament.

In case users opt for a different material or printer, they must have some knowledge of the PrusaSlicer software and use .stl models to prepare .gcode.

In order to adjust the model size, arrangement and number of magnets, users should have some knowledge of a 3D modeling software. This project uses Tinkercard that is available online and allows import of .svg files.

This project helps students to identify European countries by their borders in the form of a puzzle that can be placed on a magnetic board. Individual pieces can be printed out as a non-magnetic set to be used in various out-of-school applications.

Magnetic Set

Plates for the individual countries include integrated neodymium magnets sized 7x7x3 mm with a strength of approx. 1.3 kg. 1-2 magnets are used for each plate, depending on its size. The magnets are placed into special slots in the plates during the print process, i.e., the magnets are not visible and no glue is required since they are inside the model. Each plate also comes with a small window that holds the respective flag of each country. The flags are printed out on paper and laminated for better durability. Glue is used to attach the flags onto the plates.

Color inkjet printer and laminator + 1 pc of A4-sized laminating foil

A set of neodymium magnets (49 pcs) sized 7x7x3 mm; can be ordered here:  https://www.unimagnet.cz/kv-07-07-03-n_z236/

3D printer Prusa MK3S and filament (can be one color)

Print, laminate, cut flags - approx. 20 minutes,

Print parts (infill – 20%, layer height – 0.3 mm) 

Part Name                                                                           Number of Magnets

Total time:1302 minutues (21 hours 42 minutes)

Total number of magnets: 49pcs.

Total filament length: 138.88 m

Prior to the 3D print, users must print out and laminate documents that contain country flags (EU_vlajky.pdf). These are then cut up into individual shapes. While not required, lamination is recommended. Regular scissors or a cutting machine can be used to cut out the flags.

Using the Prusa MK3S 3D printer and PLA filament, no adjustments are necessary and users can print directly from the attached .gcode files. Each model contains a slot for a neodymium magnet that is inserted during the print process, i.e., at the part height of 4.4 mm, printing is paused and magnet must be placed into the model.

After printing, flags must be glued to the window in each part. However, some countries are too tiny and do not have any space marked for flags.

The attached .stl files can be adjusted or used to create .gcode for a different print medium. 

The attached .svg files can be used to create new parts of a different size, with differently arranged magnets and flag window, or to create a set without magnets (e.g., for using the map at a desk instead on a magnetic board).