Grace Schwan Silva
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  • Assignments
    Week1:Principles and Practices, Project Management Week2:Computer-Aided Design Week3:Computer Controlled cutting Week4:Embedded programming Week5:3D Scanning and Printing Week6:Electronics Design Week7:Computer Controlled Machining Week8:Electronics Production Week9:Input Devices Week10:Output Devices Week11:Networking and Communications Week12:Mechanical Design, Machine Design Week13:Molding and Casting Week14:Interfaces and Applications Programming Week15:Interface and Application Programming Week16:System Sntegration Week17:Wildcard Week Week18:Applications and Implications, Project Development Week19: invention, intellectual property, and income final project presentations

WEEK 5

3D SCANNING AND PRINTING

Group assignment:

- Test the design rules for your 3D printer(s)

Individual assignment:

- design and 3D print an object (small, few cm3, limited by printer time) that could not be made subtractively

- 3D scan an object (and optionally print it)

ASSIGNMENT OF THE WEEK:

Group Assignment:

- Test de design rules or your 3D printer(s)

I did my group assignment with my Artillery Genius Pro printer The Genius Pro printer is a direct extrusion FDM printer that stands out for its robust design, technical innovations and exceptional print quality. It is perfect for beginners, amateurs and professionals looking for high-quality results at an affordable price. Capable of printing a wide variety of materials, including flexible and specialty filaments, this printer offers versatility and precision. Its solid structure and tempered glass construction platform ensure a stable and quality print. The Genius Pro is compatible with a wide range of materials, including PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, TPE, TPC, SOFT PLA, wood, marble, nylon, carbon fiber and special blends. Its 22 x 22 cm tempered glass build platform offers excellent adhesion and makes it easy to remove prints.

To learn more, click here: Group Assignment

Artillery Genius Pro — Key Features

Feature Specification
BrandArtillery
ModelGenius Pro
TypeFDM
MechanismXZ-Y
Printing Area220 × 220 × 250 mm
Resolution0.1 mm – 0.4 mm
Accuracy±0.1 mm
Speed≤ 100 mm/s
Recommended Working Time≤ 60 h
Number of Nozzles1
Nozzle Diameter0.4 mm
Filament Diameter1.75 mm
MaterialsPLA, ABS, PETG, Wood, TPU
Max Extruder Temperature275 °C
Max Heated Bed Temperature100 °C
LCD Touch ScreenYes
Filament SensorYes
Power-loss RecoveryYes
Includes Filament RackYes
Arming Time20 minutes
Flexible Filament SupportYes
Includes FilamentNo
ConnectivityUSB, SD Card
Power InputAC 220V 50–60Hz
Power Output600W
Machine Size43 × 39 × 59 cm
Boxed Weight11 kg

The specifications above describe the technical characteristics of the Artillery Genius Pro (build volume, nozzle size, materials, speed, and components). This is different from its market position. In the next section, I analyze how this printer compares to others in terms of segment, performance category, and target user.

Market position — Artillery Genius (Pro)

Before testing the design rules, I analyzed where my printer is positioned in the global FDM market.

The Artillery Genius / Genius Pro is generally considered a mid-range FDM printer with a strong value-for-money profile. It is a classic cartesian “bedslinger” design, focused on reliable standard printing rather than the newest ultra-fast CoreXY category.

Where it sits in the global 3D printer market (segment overview)

Aspect What it means in the market Artillery Genius (Pro) position
Market segment Entry / Mid-range / Prosumer / Industrial Mid-range (good quality at an affordable price)
Motion system Cartesian bedslinger vs CoreXY (high-speed) Cartesian bedslinger (stable and common; not CoreXY)
Typical speed tier Standard (≈60–150 mm/s) vs High-speed (≈300–600+ mm/s) Standard / mid-speed (not a high-speed CoreXY category)
Build volume Small / Standard / Large Standard (commonly around 220×220×250 mm)
Extruder Bowden vs Direct Drive (better for flexible filaments) Direct Drive (good advantage for TPU and control)
Target user Beginner / Maker / Advanced hobby / Production Makers + prototyping
Global positioning (simple) "Fastest & newest" vs "reliable classic" Reliable classic for standard FDM learning workflows

Quick takeaway: The Artillery Genius (Pro) sits in the mid-range market as a strong, reliable option for standard FDM printing and prototyping. For ultra-fast production-focused printing, newer CoreXY high-speed printers (e.g., K-series style) are positioned above it in speed-oriented segments.

Group comparison – My partner’s printer

For the group assignment, my partner tested the Artillery Sidewinder X1. You can see the complete test results and documentation on her page:

View Sidewinder X1 test results Jorge-Pazos Assignments Week05

Printer Comparison – Artillery Genius vs Sidewinder X1

Feature Artillery Genius (Mine) Sidewinder X1 (Partner)
Build Volume ≈ 220 × 220 × 250 mm 300 × 300 × 400 mm (Large format)
Motion System Cartesian bedslinger Cartesian bedslinger
Extruder Type Direct Drive Direct Drive
Max Print Speed Standard mid-speed Up to 150 mm/s
Target Use Prototyping & learning Large-scale printing & advanced hobby
Strength Compact, reliable, good precision Large build volume, strong components
Limitation Smaller print size Larger footprint, slower heating bed

Both printers share similar mechanical architecture (cartesian system and direct drive extrusion), but the main difference is build volume. The Sidewinder X1 is oriented toward large-format prints, while the Genius is more compact and optimized for standard prototyping tasks. This comparison helped us understand how printer size and structure influence print behavior, bridging performance, and material handling.

In my case, my partner is in Bolivia so we each performed this task on our machines with this internet test *MINI* All In One 3D printer test de Thingiverse which I opened at Ultimaker Cura.

  • Here is the link where you can see the development of the week's

    Group Assignment

The configuration parameters for printing are the following that appear in the photos.

Then I did Print Segmentation and the time indicated is 3 hours 45 minutes to make the print.

Starting printing

Here I can see that the bridges did not hold up without support.

The projection reached 80 degrees but the finish was terrible.

The mini pillars printed quite well but there are some printing flaws.

I then printed a cube that does not need supports that I also downloaded from Thingiverse Puzzle Cube (easy print no support) which I opened at Ultimaker Cura too.

It was interesting to see how each piece is printed, put it together and make it match, it was difficult for me to put this cube together hahaha.

Conclusions

1.-3D printing has been a revelation for me, offering a fascinating way to materialize my ideas into tangible objects.

2.- I am impressed by the versatility of 3D printing technology, which allows me to create a wide variety of objects with different materials and finishes.

3.- I recognize the critical importance of properly calibrating my 3D printer to ensure the accuracy and quality of my prints.

4.- Thanks to 3D printing, I have been able to accelerate my design and prototyping process, allowing me to take my projects to the next level more quickly and efficiently.

5.- I am excited by the ability to customize every detail of my creations with 3D printing, allowing me to tailor objects to my specific needs.

6.- Although I have encountered some technical challenges in my journey with 3D printing, such as the need for precise calibration, I am excited to explore new solutions and continually learn about this ever-evolving technology.

7.- Sustainability is an important concern of mine, and I am committed to researching and using more environmentally friendly 3D printing materials and processes.

8.- In short, 3D printing has opened up a world of possibilities for me, and I am excited to continue exploring and creating with this incredible technology, always making sure to properly calibrate my printer for the best results.

9.- I firmly believe in the transformative potential of 3D printing to democratize manufacturing and enable people to create personalized, one-of-a-kind products.

What I learned from testing the 3D printer

  • The printer can handle small pillars correctly but very thin features show minor defects.
  • Long bridges without supports tend to sag.
  • Overhangs close to 80° are possible but surface quality decreases.
  • Print orientation and support configuration significantly affect final results.
  • Proper calibration and bed leveling are essential for accuracy.

Individual Assignment:

- Design and 3D print an object ( small, few cm, limited by printer time) That could not5 be made subtractively.

- 3D scan an object (and optionally print it)

3D PRINTING

CREATING MY OBJECT IN TINKERCAD

For this part of the task I used an ARTILLERY GENIUS printer that has the following characteristics:

I used the free program that is online called TINKERCAD to be able to design my object that contains a sphere inside that cannot be done in a subtraction process.

TINKERCAD STL file

EXPORTING STL FILE TO CURA

After designing the object, I pass it to Ultimaker Cura to be able to print it in the gcode format where I see the time, the layers and whether it will have supports or not for a better print.

PRINTING MY OBJECT

The first thing I have to do is:

  • After turning on my printer.
  • 1.- Place the filament, in this case I used PLA.
  • 2.- Clean the extruder nozzle.
  • 3.- Place the USB.
  • 4.- Send to print.

    • PRINTING

    Importance of Bed Calibration

    Before starting the print, I realized that bed calibration is one of the most important steps in 3D printing. If the bed is not properly leveled, the first layer will not adhere correctly, which can cause warping, poor layer bonding, or even complete print failure.

    During this week, I understood that the first layer defines the entire success of the print. A well-calibrated bed ensures consistent extrusion height, better adhesion to the build surface, and higher dimensional accuracy in the final object.

    Proper calibration also reduces common issues such as uneven layers, nozzle clogging due to incorrect distance, and unnecessary material waste. This step may seem simple, but it directly impacts print quality, especially when printing small or detailed objects like mine.

    For this reason, I made sure to check the bed leveling before printing my object, ensuring stable adhesion and improving the overall final result.

    Why this object cannot be made subtractively

    The object contains an internal sphere enclosed within a closed structure (print-in-place geometry). This internal cavity cannot be accessed by subtractive manufacturing tools such as CNC milling. Producing this geometry subtractively would require cutting the object into separate parts and assembling it afterward. Additive manufacturing allows both the outer structure and internal sphere to be fabricated layer by layer in a single process without assembly.

    SCANNING MY OBJECT

    In this part the task was to make our own scanned object by scanning programs. We'll see what happens!

    QLONE

    QLONE .

    This app is all in one for 3D and AR scanning. I'm lovin 'it!>

    Quick and easy to use, you can scan real 3D objects, modify them in the app, export the result to many 3D file formats, platforms and 3D printers, and even magically bring them to life with animations. A perfect tool for AR/VR (augmented reality) content creation, 3D printing, STEM education and many other uses.

    The first thing I did was download the program on my cell phone, it was very fast and easy from the Play Store on my cell phone.

    Steps to scan by Qlone:

    1.- You need to print a sheet with a chess pattern provided by the application.

    2.- Right in the center of that printed pattern you will place the model you want to scan.

    3.- In the application a half sphere appears with several sections, which have to be filled as you scan the object.

    4.- Qlone has several tools, which allow you to improve the exploration as needed, as well as offering you the possibility of exporting it as .OBJ or .STL, to tweak it in other 3D printing applications.

    3D Scanning Documentation

    The Torito de Pucará was scanned using the Qlone mobile application. The scanning process required a printed reference grid, controlled lighting, and slow camera movement. The resulting mesh was exported as STL format for further use. This demonstrates how physical objects can be digitized and transformed into 3D models.

    Conclusions

    After working in Tinkercad, creating a unique part that cannot be replicated in another digital fabrication tool, and exploring scanning with the Qlone program, I have come to the following conclusions:

    1.- Tinkercad is an intuitive and easy-to-use tool that has allowed me to design and create three-dimensional models with relative ease. Its friendly interface and versatile tools have facilitated my learning process in 3D design.

    2.- The ability to create a unique and personalized piece in Tinkercad has allowed me to bring my ideas to life in a creative and satisfying way. This design flexibility has given me the freedom to express my creativity and adapt my creations to my specific needs.

    3.- The uniqueness of the piece I have created in Tinkercad lies in its personalized design and the attention to detail that I have been able to incorporate into the design process. This piece could not be replicated with the same precision and customization using other digital fabrication tools.

    4.- By exploring scanning with the Qlone program, I have been able to digitize physical objects and convert them into 3D models with relative ease. This scanning ability has opened up new possibilities for recreating existing objects and integrating real-world elements into my digital designs.

    In summary, working in Tinkercad, creating a unique piece and exploring scanning with Qlone has been an enriching experience that has allowed me to develop my skills in 3D design and expand my capabilities in the field of digital manufacturing. I'm excited to continue exploring these tools and applying what I've learned in future creative projects.

    You can find the files here:

    TINKERCAD GCODE file

    TINKERCAD STL file

    Group Conclusions – 3D Printer Design Rules Testing

    • The Artillery Genius printer demonstrated reliable performance for standard geometries and medium-sized features.
    • Bridging tests showed that unsupported spans tend to sag, confirming the need for supports or optimized cooling settings when printing long bridges.
    • Overhangs close to 80° were achievable; however, surface quality decreased significantly at high angles without support structures.
    • Thin pillars and small details were printable but showed minor surface imperfections, indicating limitations in fine feature resolution.
    • Using Cura’s layer preview and print time estimation (3h 45min) allowed better understanding of internal structures and support requirements before fabrication.
    • This testing process helped identify the practical limits of the printer in terms of overhangs, bridging, and fine geometry performance.

    Individual Conclusions – 3D Printing and Scanning

    • The object designed in Tinkercad successfully demonstrated a print-in-place internal geometry (sphere enclosed within a closed structure), which cannot be easily manufactured using subtractive processes.
    • Additive manufacturing enabled the creation of internal cavities and nested elements in a single fabrication process without assembly.
    • The slicing process in Cura allowed analysis of supports, layers, and print duration, reinforcing the importance of pre-print evaluation.
    • The Qlone scanning process demonstrated how physical objects (Torito de Pucará) can be digitized into 3D meshes, although scan quality depends on lighting conditions and object surface characteristics.
    • This assignment reinforced the understanding of both the advantages (complex internal geometries, customization, rapid prototyping) and limitations (surface finish quality, support dependency, material constraints) of additive manufacturing.

    Assessment Checklist – Week 5

    • ✔ Linked to the group assignment page
    • ✔ Explained what I learned from testing the 3D printer
    • ✔ Documented how I designed and 3D printed my object
    • ✔ Explained why the object cannot be made easily subtractively
    • ✔ Documented how I scanned an object
    • ✔ Included my original 3D design files (STL / GCODE)
    • ✔ Included hero shots

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