ASGMT: group: test the design rules for your 3D printer(s)
individual:
- design and 3D print an object that could not be made subtractively
- 3D scan an object
Software:
Sense 3D scanner software
Cura slicing software
Meshmixer
Fusion 360
3D scan an object.
The EcoStudio has a Sense 3D scanner. This product appears very sensitive to the influences of light, movement, position and speed of scanner movement. Our first scans and attempts with this tool were unlear, undefined, incomplete and only bearing a passing resemblance to the object being scanned, a person in this instance. By using a tripod, a swivel chair, non-glossy surfaces and changing the lighting, we were able to get an acceptable scan.
We then proceeded to scan individual objects. This particular one is a clay pig money bank. The initial difficulties were similar to scanning a person, but due to the lack of contrast the images were often very broken up. It took about 10 scans to get enough image data collated to form a coherent 3D image.
The image above is from the Sense imaging software. Here the image can be edited, enhanced and saved once satisfied to an OB file.
The OB file is then imported into CURA, a slicing software from Ultimaker that prepares the model for 3D printing. Here you can adjust the final size of the model as well as looking at print speed, in-fill and resolution.
DESIGN AND 3D PRINT AN OBJECT THAT COULD NOT BE MADE SUBTRACTIVELY
I had a look at various Fusion 360 tutorials, then decided on a simple hinge(above) that could be made within Fusion360 in two parts, and then joined using the ´joint´function. The tutorial is available Here
The tutorial was fairly straight forward, although making the hinge took at least 3X the 15min tutorial time, due to learning new commands within Fusion360.
The file from Fusion360 was then saved as an stl file and imported into the CURA slicing software, where the size was changed to just 50mm x 25mm. Printing time at this size and resolution was just 15 min.
Following printing the hinge had 1 area of adherence from the PLA material, but this was able to be resolved with a cutter to enable the hinge to move as planned.
test the design rules for your 3D printer
The 3D printers available at Ecostudio are the MakerBotReplicator2, the DremelDigiLab and the FormLabs resin printer. Here I will describe the MB2 as this is the machine I used.
We produced a couple of 3D printer test pieces to examine the bridging, the overhang angles, support structures, printed diameters, and thickness resolution. An initial test piece did not work due to warping of the base on the printing board. This was solved by the used of masking tape applied to the board with the addition of paper glue.
The test piece displayed some inconsistencies in comparison to the specifications for this machine.
The MB2 claims a resolution of 100μm. The measured thicknesses on the test piece indicate that this is inaccurate when describing internal and external diameters as well as consistency of support thicknesses. You can also discern on the diagram above a fuzziness at the edges due to the melted filament forming threads at these points. These threads would need to be removed from final prints, either by blade or fine sandpaper.