#Week 06 / 3D Scanning and Printing

Step1.1) Turn on your 3D printer and wait it to warm up .In my case I used Makerbot replicator+ 3D printer .

Step 1.2) Choose the filament . If you need to change your printer filament , first you need to unload the existing filament by going to “Filament” and choosing “Unload filament ” , after unloading the filament change the filament and press “Load filament” .

Step1.3) Print some 3D model which is already exist on your printer , for testing your printer . On Makerbot there are several of examples . You can choose them by going in “Print” , “Internal storage” , “Examples” .Also we downloaded some models from thinkivers and printed it for understanding our 3d printers limits .

Step 1.4) Remove your 3D model from build plate after it’s finish . Remove it carefully , in my case the Makerbot Replicator has flexible build plate , so it is very easy to remove . If your printer prints in high quality, the support material will be very easy to remove .

Step 2.1) Choose the tool for 3D modeling . In my case I have chosen the Autodesk Inventor Pro 2019 . In the process of designing my models I have used

• 2D Sketch
• Line ,Arc Circle
• Fillet in 2D sketch
• Trim
• Rotate
• Rectangular in 2D sketch
• Circular in 2D sketch
• Mirror in 2D sketch
• Dimension
• Extrude in 3D model
• Fillet in 3D model
• Plane
• Rectangular in 3D model
• Circular in 3D model
• Mirror in 3D model

tools

Step 2.2) Model the actual 3D models . I have designed

• Snap kit for my wireless charging desk (Final project ). If you want to know more about this 3D model , and why I created for my desk you can go to my Final project page .

Assembly 990 by aramyan1123 on Sketchfab

• non-substantive 3D model example .

For 3D scanning we chose to scan ourselves and print on 3D printer .

Step 3.1) Make sure you got everything for 3D scanning .

• Camera for 3d scanning . In our case we got Kinect Xbox 360 a.
• Good lighting . In our case we used LEDs connected to power Supply .
• Rotating chair .

Step 3.2) Choose the programs for 3D Scanning . We have used “KScan3d 3D 1.2” 3D Scanning program used , and also we downloaded the “SDK Kinect 1.8” which is connects camera to the program , also you will need sculpting program (in Step 3.5) .

Step 3.3) Take pictures . Take about 45-75 photos in one rotation (one rotation is enough ). Make sure

• Your camera focus is ok (you can play with camera settings)
• The Rotation axis is straight
• Light is evenly distributed

Step 3.4) Snap pictures to create 3D model by following this steps

• Ctrl A - it will choose all pictures
• Go to “Mesh editor” and press “Build”
• After press “combine”
• And finally press “Finalize”

After doing all this steps export to “.stl” or “.obj” file format

Step 3.5) Sculpt your 3D model . For Sculpting we used Autodesk Meshmixer . Open you exported file (Step 3.4) and give it final shape . The most used tools are

• Choose your 3D printer in right side .
• Minimize your 3D model and drag it in platform
• First you need close all holes by going in to “Analysis > Inspector ” and press “Auto Repair All”
• “Flatten” in “Sculpt > Brushes ”
• “Inflate” in “Sculpt > Brushes ”
• “Bubble smooth” in “Sculpt > Brushes ”

Step 3.6) Export the final model in to .stl or .obj file format (we used .stl file format ).

Step 4.1) Open the 3d model in printing software in my case it is “Makerbot Print” because Makerbot printers only supports Makerbot printers file format .

Step 4.2) Adjust the parameters like

• Base Layer (recommended Raft)
• Layer Height (0.1 or 0.2 mm)
• Infill Density(10 -30%)
• Number of Shells(2 shells recommended)

Step 4.3) Generate the code and make sure everything is ok with your model .

Step 4.4) Export .

Step 4.5) Save it on USB , or connect printer to your computer and save the model in internal storage of your printer(if your printer has , if it doesn’t have , leave USB or computer until it finish ) and press print .

Step 4.6) Remove your model , (look at Step 1.4) .

All Files - Click here to download