3D Printed Cookie Stamp / Cutter Using the 8 Steps of Engineering Design

Hello! This is my very first Instructable, and I'm pleased to share it with you all! What I made today is relatively simple and easy to follow. I am currently enrolled at National Park College, where I’m doing a work-study in the makerspace, learning different programs and tackling new ways to approach and complete projects. This project came about while I was in the makerspace, when a lady from the administrative side of my college asked us to create a cookie cutter so she could make cookies featuring our college's representation. Later, she decided that a press might be more useful, which you will see the clear differences between towards the end of the Instructable.

The tools you will need is your computer, a 3D Printer (with Filament), Inkscape (a free application), Fusion 360(CAD software), an image you'd like to use for your cookie press and a USB drive to save all of your files on!

She wanted to represent our school by using a cookie press featuring our school’s seal to bake cookies. We didn’t have a cookie press that the school used, so since she utilized the school’s resources instead of going to a third-party source, I was able to gain new skills without any cost to her.

This project involved a bit of learning with various software to create the press correctly, utilizing a combination of Inkscape, Fusion 360, and MakerBot 3D printing. We will start by grabbing our school’s seal and importing the image into Inkscape to vectorize it. After that, we will export the image as an SVG and import it into Fusion 360, where we will bring the image to life.

First, I began by examining the resources available to me, as listed in the supplies section. I also conducted thorough research on cookie presses to understand their design and functionality. This step was crucial, as it helped me form a clear idea of what the client was seeking in a cookie cutter. By analyzing different styles and features, I was able to ensure that my design would meet the client’s needs effectively.

The design of the build should be simple, storable, and effective. It should not be so large that the seal is bigger than the cookie itself, and the imprint of the seal should not be overly engraved into the cookie. I considered two possible handle designs: one with a U-shape and the other, which I ultimately chose, featuring a spherical ball on top of an elongated cylinder.

Regardless of the handle style, both designs needed to have a circular base with the school’s seal extruding from it.

My plan is to create a vector image from the seal, import it into Fusion 360, and design a base layer to hold the extruded seal. I’ll also add a spherical ball handle to allow for adjustable pressing force. After this, you need to export your newly created cookie cutter/press as an STL file to place it into the MakerBot program. 3D printing makes the design storable and reusable, and if the press breaks, you can always reprint it for continued use. I placed my MakerBot print settings above as well.

Note how I positioned the cookie cutter's seal (the 3D model with the sharp lip on the edges) compared to the cookie press's seal. The cookie cutter seal is not correctly mirrored, which will cause the imprint to read "CPN" instead of the intended design. In contrast, the cookie press's seal is properly mirrored for the desired outcome.

The client expressed that she was very pleased with the product, although I didn’t receive any pictures. She mentioned that the imprints were perfect and that the cookies baked well throughout their time in the oven!

As for the handle, I considered two options: one with a U-shape and the other, which I ultimately chose, featuring a spherical ball on top of an elongated cylinder.

It was during the engineering process that the client requested a cookie press instead of a cookie cutter, prompting me to analyze the product and clarify her ultimate needs. Throughout the process, I consistently aimed to optimize the client's requirements, even considering the density of the filament. Overall, optimization could depend on the size of the cookies being baked and the size of the user's palm. All of these factors would be specified according to the individual and the specific situation.

This is the final product in real life! Thank you taking a look at my project and I hope you guys try this out on your own!