Open mind, feel free... Yes, this is how I live design. I was alternating
designing the device with the electronics. Designing is very rewarding,
you can see in real time results.
What I need to design? A ECG case(that is supose to be something very
serious) for fitness purpose (that is supose to be fun). Have to
include a display, open window for ECG cables, and should be modulable.
Amazing, I want to start!
I have used some CAD software this Fab Academy, I would like to try another
one. Sketchup is my option for this design.
Here are all needs listed:
- Room for battery
- Room for 3 PCB
- Open window for ECG cables.
- Window for visual result.
- Have to fit to shoulder.
- Modular
Let's Start to use Sketchup.
From Sketchup you can export many formats. In this case I have use: ".dae".
Then another open software "Cura" prepare the file for the 3D printer.
You can see the settings for the first iteration:
Nozzle size: 0.4mm
Initial layer thickness: 0.3mm
Initial layer line width: 100%
Cut off object bottom: 0mm
Dual extrusion overlap:0.15mm
Travel speed:80mm/s
Bottom layer speed: 20mm/s
Infill speed: 50mm/s
Top/bottom speed:20mm/s
Outer shell speed: 30mm/s
Inner shell speed: 60mm/s
Minimal layer time: 5sec
Enable cooling fan: yes
Total time according to software: 4h 26min. (Real time: 4h)
Material used: 4.76m, 38gr
Sketchup is very intuitive and easy to use.
This is my first design. The battery makes me the minimun size. I wish
to write on the top all the minimum information (letters have 0.36mm).
Download the 1st sketchup file
Here it is the first iteration case. As you can see, letters are too thin,
next iteration letters need to be thicker.
Battery fits perfectly, but it's needed more room for cables 9.23mm is not enough. The upper window for cables have to be wider.
New letters thickness : 1.32mm
Window for cables: 13,8mm
Download the final iteration file zip
(sketchup, dae and gcode)
Now, letters and upper window are perfect.
Just for fun, of course. I decided to make all the layers and parts different.
Then, think about how to assamble (easy way, but just 1 possibility).
Brainstorming...
At Beach Lab (Fab Lab Sitges), there is the Full Spectrum Laser 5th gen.
It need the file in format ".svg", so I've designed all parts with Inkscape
and export them to svg or pdf. For engrave, I have used 100% speed and
40% of power. For cut I have used 20% of speed, 100% power.
After some tries, I realized that as much dark is the color, much heat
gets the acrilic, so less power is needed. In my case I was using black
acrilic.
There is just one way to assamble all pieces, that's my puzzle passion!