5. 3D Scanning and Printing

In this week's practice, we were asked to perform a 3D scan and a 3D print. For the scanning, we were introduced to multiple tools such as fixed scanners, mobile scanners, and different types of scans. Moreover, they presented us with the option to scan objects using a cellphone, through applications using photos from different angles. The idea behind this is to bring something from the real world into the computer. For an extra point, we were asked to print the scanned piece. For the 3D printing, we were asked to design something that could not be manufactured using the subtractive method.

What is 3D printing?

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of creating solid three-dimensional objects from a digital file. This process is carried out by the successive addition of material layer by layer, which differentiates 3D printing from traditional subtractive manufacturing methods, which are based on cutting or drilling pieces from a solid block of material. This technology is widely applied in rapid prototyping, product manufacturing, personalized medicine, construction, education, and art, revolutionizing the way of creating from prototypes to final products and artworks with complex and personalized designs.

There are several methods of 3D printing:

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): Uses thermoplastic filament to deposit material layer by layer.
Stereolithography (SLA/MSLA): Uses an ultraviolet laser to cure and solidify liquid resin layer by layer.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): Fuses powder particles with a laser to form objects.
Liquid Ink 3D Printing: Solidifies liquid materials to create the desired object.

FDM or filament printing is the most common of all, and some of the most used materials for this type of printing are:

PLA
ABS
PETG
TPU
Nylon

Another very commonly used type of printing is SLA and MSLA, which are resin printers, these have much higher quality than filament printers. There are various types of resins:

Standard
Transparent
Flexible
High Temperature
Dental

For more information, printing parameters, and tests, check this link from the group page.

What is 3D scanning?

3D scanning is a technological process that captures the physical shape of an object or environment in the real world and converts it into a three-dimensional digital model. This technology uses a variety of methods and tools, such as lasers, structured light, photogrammetry, and other capture systems, to accurately measure the distance and shape of objects.

3D Printing

For the 3D printing practice, I will use two printing methods, FDM and MSLA, commonly known as filament and resin printing, respectively. In the case of filament printers, the university has various models and several printers, but in this case, I preferred to use my own printers for this practice. For resin printing, I used the university's equipment, as I do not have a resin printer. Below, I present the printer models I have, the corresponding software for them, and the 3D models I created for the practice, in addition to other models that I found interesting.

FILAMENT

PRINTERS

My personal printer

One model of the university

My personal printer

Ender 3 V3 KE

Printing technology: FDM
Print volume: 220 x 220 x 240 mm
Typical print speed: 300 mm/s
Max. print speed: 500 mm/s
Print accuracy: ±0.1 mm
Compatible filaments: PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU(95A), ASA
Internet connection

Ender 3 S1 PRO

Printing technology: FDM
Print volume: 220 x 220 x 270 mm
Print speed: ≤ 150 mm/s
Bed temperature: ≤ 110 °C
Nozzle temperature: ≤ 260 °C
Printing materials: PLA, ABS, PVA, wood, TPU, PETG, and PA

Anet ET4

Printing technology: FDM
Print volume:220 x 220 x 250 mm
Print speed: ≤ 150 mm/s
Bed temperature: ≤ 100 °C
Nozzle temperature: ≤ 250 °C
Printing materials: PLA, ABS, Wood PLA, Rubber-like (TPU), PETG

Anet A8 plus

Printing technology: FDM
Print volume: 300 x 300 x 350 mm
Print speed: ≤ 120 mm/s
Bed temperature: ≤ 110 °C
Nozzle temperature: ≤ 250 °C
Printing materials: PLA, ABS, PVA, wood, TPU, PETG, and PA

PROGRAMS

Cura

It's a slicing software for 3D printers, in which you can modify the printing parameters and then transform them into G-code.

Interface

It features a 3D workspace with the printer's printing dimensions selected, within the software we can open STL files.Within the software, we can select our piece and position it with the help of the left sidebar menu.

Interface

It has two types of print settings, basic configuration, and advanced configuration.

Interface

The most important settings are:

Layer height
Wall lines
Infill
Infill pattern
Bed adhesion
Printing temperature
Print speed
Supports

Interface

Within the software, we can change all these settings and more to obtain different results and printing methods.

Creality

It's a slicing software for 3D printers for Creality brand machines, in which you can modify the printing parameters and then transform them into G-code.

Interface

It has two types of print settings, normal configuration, and advanced configuration.

Interface

The most important settings are:

Layer height
Wall lines
Infill
Infill pattern
Bed adhesion
Printing temperature
Print speed
Supports

Interface

Within the software, we can change all these settings and more to obtain different results and printing methods.

cloud

Creality has tools in the cloud, which allows you to laminate stl models in the cloud and allows you to send stl models from the browser and have Creality printers connected to the internet print them. This can also be done from the Creality app on your cell phone.

IMPRESSIONS

Scanning by my

giro

I designed that 3D model with SolidWorks, using the concept of the gyroscope. It could be constructed using the subtractive method if it were by individual pieces, but it would be impossible to manufacture it all at once; it is only possible with 3D printing.

Modeling

I will create a 60 mm square with 20 mm rounded corners and use the offset entities tool to give it a 5 mm outline and extrude the figure by 6 mm.

Modeling

I will create the following curve to be able to give it an extrusion by revolution and using the mirror tool I will place it on the other side.

Modeling

Generate the same curve on the inner side of the piece and give it a cut by revolution.

Modeling

I saved many pieces of the figure, and only changed the size of the inner square, arranged them in the center, and rotated them to fit; in the end, I rounded them off.

parameters

Layer height: 0.2 mm
Wall lines: 3
Infill: 10%
Infill type: light
Bed adhesion: brim
Printing temperature: 205°
Bed temperature: 65°
Print speed: 450 mm/s
Supports: no

Printer used: Ender 3 v3 KE and creality

Voronoi Sphere

I decided to make this design in Blender. This sphere, being hollow and having internal roundings, cannot be made using the subtractive method due to its complex geometry.

Modeling

Open Blender and using the cube that appears at the start, I added modifiers to begin shaping the sphere. In the right-hand sidebar, add the subdivision modifier and change it to five levels.

Modeling

Add the Cast modifier and the Decimate modifier with the planar option at a 20° angle. I also added the wireframe modifier.

Modeling

Lastly, I added the subdivision modifier again with five levels to smooth the edges of the sphere. and I passed it to the laminator

parameters

Layer height: 0.2 mm
Wall lines: 3
Infill: 10%
Infill type: line
Bed adhesion: brim
Printing temperature: 205°
Bed temperature: 65°
Print speed: 450 mm/s
Supports: normal
Supports angle: 80°
Supports interfaces: zig zag

Printer used: Ender 3 v3 KE and creality

This model was scanned by me with the 3D scanner app and printed with the ender 3 v3 ke printer.

NASA Chainmail is an internet model that caught my attention, and I really like the concept of the model because of the future applications it may have.

Chainmail, is an internet model that caught my attention, and I like how thanks to how 3D printers print, they are capable of generating this type of constructions that can be connected to each other, in a single piece.

it is an internet model that attracted me because of how it takes advantage of the flexible property of the material to use it for the catapult mechanisms, and this model belongs to the FAB LAB

The benchy is one of the best-known stl models in the world of 3D printing and works a lot for testing the quality of the printer, it is one of my favorite models

RESIN

Elegoo Saturno 2

Technology: MSLA
Light source: 405 nm UV LED
XY resolution: 7680*4320
Z-axis accuracy: 0.00125 mm
Layer thickness: 0.01-0.2 mm
Print speed: 30-70 mm/h
Build volume: 218.88 mm x 123.12 mm x 250 mm

Mercury Plus V2.0

Control method: Touch button
Rated power: 48w
Uv light: 405nm (8+8)
Time settings: 0-30 mins
Maximum curings size: 140*165mm
Maximum wash volume: 124mm*90mm*110mm (with platform) 131mm*90mm*220 mm (without platform)

PROGRAM

chitubox

Chitubox is a software used in resin 3D printing that allows you to prepare 3D models for printing. It facilitates the manipulation of models, the generation of supports, and the optimization of the printing process, being compatible with various resin 3D printers.

Interface

The program features basic menus and settings, as resin does not require many configurations for printing. The supports come with predefined settings that are very easy to use.

before printing

Resin printing requires more careful handling and steps for its use. Before starting to print, you need to pour the liquid resin and be careful not to spill it, as it could solidify when exposed to sunlight.

after printing

After finishing the print, we will need to wash the parts in their solvent (depending on the resin used) to remove the excess resin. Then, we remove the supports and cure the piece, which will depend on the size of the piece.

IMPRESSIONS

Scanned by my

cube

I carried out the design of this piece because I tried to look for something that had a lot of detail and was very complicated to machine or impossible

Modeling

I started with the model of a 10 mm cube.

Modeling

I passed it to an assembly and within that assembly. I started with linear patterns to be able to multiply the piece.

Modeling

Using the same method, I added another piece and created more linear patterns.

Modeling

Having the first part, I'm going to generate more linear patterns, so that it will result in a bigger cube, each cube is connected by 1 mm on each corner.

Modeling

Here you can see the entire process that I carried out for the modeling of this piece.

parameters

Resin: High Speed Resin
Resolution: 0.05 mm
Exposures: 1.7 s
Lift: 3 mm s and 20 mm/2
Buttom: 3 and 10 s

Curing time: 10 min

Printer used: Saturno2

bolbol

This design was conceived to be impossible to manufacture by material removal, because machining the internal part of the piece would be very difficult.

Modeling

To design this piece, I used a sphere and circular matrices.

parameters

Resin: High Speed Resin
Resolution: 0.05 mm
Exposures: 1.7 s
Lift: 3 mm s and 20 mm/2
Buttom: 3 and 10 s

Curing time: 10 min

Printer used: Saturno2

Gallery of images of the piece that was scanned using the 3D scanning application; I used a friend's Lucio Funko Pop.

More images of resin prints, here are pieces of mine and pieces from a colleague. The last two images show failures I had while printing. I tried printing in a flexible resin but didn't have time to correct my errors.