Week 6

This week I experimented with 3D scanning and 3D printing a lot. I started with 3D scaning procesess and technologies exploration. I scanned myself with Microsoft Kinect and Skanect software. The role of the sowtware here is to transfer static images to the solid state 3D model.

I like this infographics which represent 3D scaning process and its outcomes:

Then I experimented with 3D printing. We have two 3D printers - 2014 release of Prusa and PICASO. Both of them are FDM printers which are quite easy to use and work.

Here is PICASO shield:

And its test print for design rules testing:

I like this infographics which allow me to estimate quality of prints and printers:

When printing, I always thinking about design rules and considerations. Here is the table of such rules for various types of 3D printing technologies:

I’ve choose an object that could not be made subtractively and printed it: cat made with generative design.

STL Cat file

Here is the video of process than things goes really wrong:

And result of such printing error, which happened after two hours printing:

The best way to study - is to study based on mistakes, so, I’ve made my conclusions, design and settings considerations and did a good print. It is fully assembled model, printed as one 3D model, which is consist from dozen of the parts:

We designed and printed toys with kids, which we assembled from several separately printed parts:

Conclusions 3D printing is the outsdanding technology. It is allowed me to make impossible products very fast, much more efficient than with subtractive tools and methods.