3D Scanning and Printing


Learning outcomes:


  1. Identify the advantages and limitations of 3D printing.
  2. Apply design methods and production processes to show your understanding of 3D printing.
  3. Demonstrate how scanning technology can be used to digitize object(s).

Stages:


  1. Charactrization (find testing files and try it.
  2. 3D design.
  3. 3D printing.
  4. 3d Scanning.

Characterization and testing files

(My part in the group assignment)


Let's find some testing files to Charactrize our machine, it was Ultimaker 3.


We as a team decided taht we will get 2 test files and try them on 2 machine (Ultimaker 3 - Ultimaker2 extended+)


I couldn't find the file whick texting the tolerance and spaces if i want to make something to rotate on a shaft or something else.

So, I decidet to design it myself on Sketchup.


Designing the test on Sketchup



Let's implement it on the 3D printer by Cura (Cura tutorial)






The output with the support, Then i removed the support, and each ring has a different tolerence spacing between the inner diameter and the bar diameter. ( number with millemeter)



All spacings allow the ring to rotate except (0.1, 0.2)


Test file

(The individual assignment)

3D print something can't made subtractivly


Trials to make a complex 3D shape that can't be implemented on CNC



Now let's implement the shape


Cura is very interting software to work on, User frinedly interface, easy to learn and fast process to do .. you can find a good tutorial for it here


Cura steps:

  1. Opene the saved ".stl file" with Cura File>import (or drag and drop it on the cura interface)
  2. Selected the type and model of the printer in my lab (Ultimaker2 extended+).
  3. Select the kind of filament you are going to use (I chose PLA).
  4. Choose to print in a normal layer hight of 0.15
  5. Choose to print with 20% infill( or any infill persentage you want 10% for almost hollow or 90% almost solid.
  6. Left all other defaults unchanged.
  7. Click on slice, preview the item and the estimated time. Finally I save the file to the Printer's memory card.

Printing steps:

  1. Connect the card to the machine.
  2. Navigate with the roller button and select print.
  3. Select the file with it's name (usually the last file loaded to the card be in the top of the list)
  4. Let the printer prepare the file, heat up and do its work.
  5. Make sure to monitor the printer every now and then to make sure nothing went wrong.
Here where i imported the file and have added a support blocker to enable the spherical shape to rotate and enable the floating part build with a support too.
Then i press slice to start slicing after set all the settings we mentioned above
After pressing slicing you can see the layers and print view in Preview tab



The results


I've paused the machine in the middle to make sure that the print and support is ok, and show you the infill.
Now it's finished and you can see the full part with support.

I've removed the support adn now you can se the shape rotating
This shape can't be made easly by a subtractive technology.

Trial1 file
Trial2 file
Last Trial(Implemented File)


But then i Figured out that i made the same design on of my coleage without any preparations, So i made another one for the review conflicts only

Making a sketch to get a shape idea, It's very abstract but i left the rest of deatils while i drawing on the software
I made a base circle to start draw the base

I've used follow me order to make this rotated shape
Here i trying to ade the parts above

Let's put it inside the base and let's coppy it circularly
I can type the nummer of copies i want to make it circuralrly

Here i removing a part from the base and adding somethong else.
I've added a sphere inside the base to make the part more dificult to made subtractivly

Here i trying to centerize the parts together
Let's go a little mad and add other details

Exporting the file into STL extension for Cura
Drag, drop and slice in Cura

This time i will use another 3D printer, It's Prusa i3, Maybe it's not the same quality as ultimaker machines but it can impress you with an elegant printing process with a fast pace




First layers as i like to show you
Woring on the most difficult part and finishing

The final output from the top, Yes it's very difficult to subtract that!
The final output from the button, Yes yes it's imposible to subtarct that! = )


The Files:

STL file
Gcode
Sketchup file

3D Scanning


This part of the assignment takes a lot of time to reach a result.
Alot of trials, Some bad applications/softwares


The list of failure applications
(i wouldn't recommend):-

  1. SCANN3D.
  2. 3D Scan Pro.
  3. Easy 3D scann.
  4. Meshroom

The reasons:-

  1. Too complicated to deal with.
  2. Needs a lot of preparartions and a big number of pics to get a good result.
  3. Not for free or not easy to download/setup.

Failures





Now let's make it with the right one


Finally i found the best software for this(the best for me at least), It's Autodesk ReCap and here the best and fast tutorial for it from downloading to exporting the files.



Steps i made


A tip: don't take the photos in a place that has a diffirent light sources which leave the shape without any shades ( the software needs the shades to recognize the shape sides and contours.


Importing pics to the spftware (just drag and drop)



After the processing i've used the tools in the left to edits on the model(deleting the extras, edit in the mesh deatils or mesh quality)






Close the buttom of the model



Let's make the side smooth



Exporting to STL



Do you want to print it?! ;)



>STL file is ready<

Done

  1. Design and implement the test files.

  2. Got and idea for a shape can't be implemented suptractively.

  3. 3D print the design.

New Learned

  1. Suptractive technology limits Vs. 3D printing potentials.

  2. How to design a 3D printing test.

Enjoyed with

  1. Trials of a complex or a smart design to made only by 3D printing.

  2. Playing with my interting part.

  3. Design a 3D printing test to know the machine limits.