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6. 3D Scanning and printing

Individual Assignment

3D Printing

Our assignment for this week was to design an item that could only be made through additive manufacturing. To do this I put a ball in a cube in a way where it could not be removed.

But What’s the Difference Between Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing?

Additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing differ primarily in how material is handled during production. Additive manufacturing involves building objects layer by layer, using only the material needed, which makes it highly efficient and ideal for creating complex geometries and custom designs, such as with 3D printing methods like FDM, SLA, and SLS. In contrast, subtractive manufacturing removes material from a solid block to carve out the desired shape, often generating waste but offering exceptional precision, making it suitable for tasks like CNC machining, milling, or laser cutting. For your sim racing button box, additive methods are perfect for intricate custom parts, while subtractive techniques like laser cutting are excellent for precise mounting plates or enclosures.

I made it in Fusion 360

(Rendered it in Fusion360 for Fun)

Then I imported it into Bambu Studio

I added supports and sliced it

Finally I printed it

3d Scanning

We also had to try out a 3d scanning app. I downloaded one of the more popular ones from the App Store, which was Polycam. Polycam was very simple to use, all I had to do was hit record and slowly move the camera around the object I am trying to capture. I think that the final result looks really rough, but I think that this software shows a ton fo promise in the upcoming years as a viable way to cheapy copy physical objects into the digital space.

How does Polycam scanning work?

Polycam uses advanced technologies like LiDAR and photogrammetry to create detailed 3D scans. Here’s how it works:

  1. LiDAR Scanning: If your device has a LiDAR sensor (like some iPhones and iPads), Polycam uses it to measure distances by bouncing light off surfaces. This creates a highly accurate depth map of the scanned area.

  2. Photogrammetry: For devices without LiDAR, Polycam relies on photogrammetry. This involves taking multiple photos of an object or space from different angles. The app then processes these images to reconstruct a 3D model.

  3. Processing: Once the data is captured, Polycam processes it to generate a 3D model. This can include textures, measurements, and even floor plans, depending on the use case.

  4. Exporting: The final 3D models can be exported in various formats for use in CAD software, 3D printing, or other applications.

It’s a versatile tool for everything from architecture and design to gaming and virtual reality. Are you thinking of using it for one of your projects?

Here is a photo of what I was scanning:

and here is what Polycam made:

Group Assignment

Clearance test

Clearance in a 3D-printed component is intentional space between two mating surfaces to allow them to move freely without contact. It is necessary in applications where components need to fit together tightly but have some freedom of movement to account for printing process variations.

The aim of a clearance testing process is to produce testing samples for various gaps in order to find an optimal clearance for a 3D printer and material.

We found that it only worked to about .3mm After that the parts were fused together.

This Week’s Reflection

I found this week super easy because I have doen things like this before. I think that the 3d scanning is really interesting, but I don’t think it is polished enough have any real use, other than a novelty thing. My group work will also come in handy because I’m planning on 3d printing a bit of my project, so I think that I will find the clearance test I did, along with the other tests my group did, very beneficial.

Software Used

Group Work

My Files

Last update: April 8, 2025