3D Printing

Assignment

• Design and 3D print an object that could not be made through subtractive manufacturing

Designing

I had to create an object that could not be made through subtractive manufacturing. I decided to make a chain with interlocking links, which cannot be made through subtractive manufacturing because of its internal spaces.

To design the chain, I first created a cube and created a sketch on its face. I then created a smaller rectangle on the sketch and extruded it into the cube as a hole.

After filleting the object, the first chain link was done. I then duplicated the link next to itself.

Next, I copied the original link and rotated it 90 degrees. I then moved the pasted object to be positioned inside of the two other links.

I then duplicated the horizontal chain link and added one more vertical chain link to create the final design.

Printing

I first exported the design from Fusion360 into PrusaSlicer as a STL, and sliced the design.

I then sent the design to the printer, with supports enabled. Because I wanted the chain links to interlock but also to be able to move around, the links were not directly touching each other in the GCODE design as to not stick them together. As such, I used supports to hold up parts of the chain.

After taking off the supports, my chain was ready.