You Can Now 3D Print Replicas of Historical Ships: From the Drakkar to the Endeavor

3D Printing has tremendous power as an educational tool, whether it be in schools, at the workplace or in the convenience of the home. Makerbot recognizes this, and has taken part in several important initiatives, in order to make sure that 3D printing and education have the chance to come together. Perhaps it’s because the company realizes the potential revenue they could generate through the large scale adoption of MakerBot Replicator 3D printers in schools all over the world. Perhaps it’s because they really care about the improvement of education. After all, former CEO Bre Pettis is a former teacher. More likely it is a little bit of both, but regardless, it is an avenue that appears to be working for the Stratasys owned company.

Yesterday they released yet another collection into their educational series of 3D printable objects in their digital store. This latest collection is one that features five different historic ships. Like the other collections in this ever growing series of 3D printable educational objects, Makerbot has made one of these free for download. That one would be The Drakkar ship. The other 3D design files in this collection of boats can be purchased for $9.99 each, or all five models can be had for only $24.99. Those ships included in this collection are as follows

The Sao Cristovao
This ship was the first to sale around the entire continent of Africa. The crew, lead by Portuguese nobleman Bartolomeu Dias accomplished this in 1488. The 3D printable version comes with seven individually pieces, and takes approximately nine hours to print out. Once assembled, it will measure 51mm X 163mm X 186mm.

The Bao Chuan
Admiral Cheng Ho explored the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean in the 15th century during the reign of the Ming Dynasty, on this treasure ship. It can be 3D printed in about nine hours and consists of twelve separate pieces. When complete it will measure 51mm X 179mm X 172mm

The Trinidad
This boat was part of Ferdinand Magellan’s voyage of circumnavigation of the entire globe in the 16th century. Unfortunately, Magellan passed away prior to the completion of the 3-year voyage, but his ship lives on today in the form of a 3D printable model. This one will take a whopping 12 hours to print, and includes 13 different pieces. It is quite large at 95mm X 204mm X 193mm.

The Drakkar
This is an oldie but a goodie. Captain Leif Erikson became the first Eudropean to step foot onto the soil of North America, sailing this type of ship way back in the early 1000s. This one is free to download and print, but doesn’t miss a beat as far as quality goes. It includes twelve 3D printable pieces, and will take about 9 hours to print. The assembled dimensions are 102mm X 189mm X 154mm.

The Endeavor
This ship is one of the most important in the understanding of world geography. Captain James Cook led a crew that sailed on this intricately detailed ship, to places in Antartica, New Zealand, Australia and Tahiti. His contributions to geography are enormous, in a large part due to this tremendous ship. For those who want a replica of their own, it will take you 18 long hours to print, but is a doozy once complete. It will measure 72mm X 202mm X 213mm.

This is the latest, greatest collection of 3D printable objects from the Makerbot Digital Store. Let us know if you have downloaded and printed any of these boats, and feel free to post images of your masterpieces in the 3D printed ships forum thread on 3DPB.com.