Loraine Clarke Fablab 2013 Week 5

3D scanning and printing

Week 5 Overview

This week Fab Academy covered 3D Scanning and Printing. For 3D scanning software options were also covered as well as considering how scanning actually works and what might be most suitable for different objects depending on their size, textures, details and location. For 3D printing we mainly focused on different 3D printing options and considerations when 3D printing such as different materials, costs, file formats, various software options, time investment and final finish desired.

The assignment for the week was to
- 3D scan an object
- and design and 3D print an object

Link to this weeks academy information page.

3D Scanning

For 3D scanning I decided to try a few different scanning option to compare the results of the different applications and hardware. The scanning options I tried was:

I also wanted to try scanning the daffodil by using the pin sensor on the roland modela but decided not to because it takes so long to scan, even though the results are amazing. I was really tempted though considering the great results another student got with a strawberry. Link to the strawberry scan here

Roland Modela

3D Scanning - with the Makerbot Digitizer

Link to the Makerbot Digitizer website

Overall using the makerware digitizer software is quiet easy but the results are quiet disappointing in most cases.

First of all I tried scanning a clip for my bicycle pannier bag. I guessed it would be quiet hard to scan because it's so small and a dark black plastic surface. Here's an image of the different ways I tried to scan the clip with the makerbot scanner. I tried painting it in matt or different colours. The frustrating thing about this was that when it was mid way through the scanning process it looked like it was doing a better job as you can see if the right most image. But the end result when it merged all the multi-scans together wasn't any good.

makerbot scanner scanning a bicycle pannier bag clip

Download the first scan of the bike clip here
Download the second scan of the bike clip with paint on it here

3D Scanning - with AutoDesk 123D Catch

Link to the AutoDesk 123D Catch website

Using Autodesk 123D Catch you take lots of photographs around an object and then upload them to create a 3D model of the object.
Step 1 - take up to 70 photographs from all around the object you want to make a 3d model of
Step 2 - Download and install AutoDesk 123D Catch
Step 3 - Open 123D catch when it's installed
Step 4 - Select Create a New Capture
Step 5 - Select the photographs you took of the object
Step 6 - Select the big green tick to 'Create a project'
Step 7 - A window will pop you that you need to enter the relevant details for your model. Then press create

Step 8 - The software will start uploading the files to an online data base from autodesk where it will then go an generate the 3d model . This can take anything from 5 minutes to 1 hour depending on your internet connection and the complexity of the model. Once it's done you'll be able to download the model and view it in 123D catch on your computer

Step 9 - You can save the model as an stl files if you want to bring it into any other software program to edit it. I've used Mesh Mixer for this but I prefer to edit models in Solidworks. However, trying to get the model in solidworks is a mission because there are so many surfaces. I've yet to figure out how to do this or find software that I find as easy to edit models in as Solidworks.

I've created a pdf of this process that you can download here

Download the model of the daffodil scanned using 123D Catch here

3D Scanning - Cubify Sense Scanner

Link to the Cubify Sense Scan Website

This was great for scanning people but it was very difficult to get good results for smaller objects.

Download a scan of me using the Sense scanner here

3D printing

3D printing document of using the software - step by step of using software For 3d model making there is also a vast amount of different free or subscription programs.I've used google sketch up before for messing around but I find it really difficult to make anything precise, even if it is organic. But my favourites are :

More professional one's are the likes of:

I find it quiet hard to use solidworks for organic shapes or free form modeling (like hand clay modeling)but overall I really like solidworks for making precise pieces.

3D printing a clip for my bicycle pannier bag

This week I decided to print a clip for my bicycle pannier bag. I had lost one of these so need a new one. I've already made the 3D model so now I'll print it.

Here's an image of the 3D model for printing

solidworks model of the pannier bicycle clip I made

Download the model for 3D printing here

I used the Makerbot Replicator 2X and printed in ABS because I needed something quite strong to work on the bicycle bag. This website seems quite good for explaining the difference between ABS and PLA The Difference Between ABS and PLA for 3D Printing

When you have the model in the makerware software you need to make sure it's on the bed of the printer. When using the R2X with2 nossles you need to select the object and then click on the objects icon. This allows you to select what nossle will be used for printing.

The settings I used are:

I want to: Export to File
Export for: The Replicator 2X
Material: Makerbot ABS
Right: Makerbot ABS
Raft: Left Extruder
Supports: Left Extruder
Resolution: Standard
Infill: 30%. This is typically 10% but I increased this because I need the clip to be quite strong
Number of Shells: 2
Layer Height: 0.20mm
Temperature - Left Extruder: 230
Temperature - Right Extruder: 230
Tick Heat Build Plate
Build Plate: 110 degrees
Tick the box that Asks for preview before printing

Then press export. The software will slide the model into layers and generate code to communicate with the printer what to print. Apparently the R2 is good for PLA and the 2X is good for ABS. I found this out from this website - Best Printing Practices on Makerbot Replicator 2 and 2X

This website was really useful for helping me to get the temperature right for PLA when I've printed other things - How To Succeed When Printing In PLA

These are some guidlines I made for printing in PLA on the Makerbot R2 from an SD card here.

Download Machine Files

Download the first scan of the bike clip here
Download the second scan of the bike clip with paint on it here
Download the model of the daffodil scanned using 123D Catch here
Download a scan of me using the Sense scanner here
Download the model for 3D printing here