This week, I worked with my team to study 3D printing and scanning, and designed and printed an additive object by myself. Although we faced challenges, I gained a lot and look forward to future applications.
Learning Objectives
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 easily made subtractively
3D scan an object (and optionally print it)
Learning highlights
3D printing and scanning works
Group Assignment: 3D Printer Design Rule Testing
Objective: Test the design rules of the Creality CR-200B FDM printer.
Key Findings:
Stage
Item
Details
Preparation
File Check
Ensure the file format is correct, and confirm the size fits the printer's build platform.
Material
Select appropriate materials based on requirements, ensure the material is dry and enough.
Printing Parameter Settings
Adjust parameters such as layer height\infill density\printing speed and temperature.
Bed Calibration
Ensure the print bed is level and use solid glue to prevent objects from warping.
Printing
First Layer
Ensure the first layer is evenly distributed and firmly adhered.
Monitoring
Check if the nozzle is clogged or misaligned and ensure the filament feeds properly.
Post-Printing Handling
Model Removal
Carefully remove the model from the print bed, wait for it to cool down.
Post-Processing
Perform finishing touches such as polishing, painting as needed.
Safety & Maintenance
Safety Operation
Avoid contact with hot components and ensure good ventilation to reduce odor.
Equipment Maintenance
Regularly clean the nozzle and check if belts and rails are loose. store materials in a dry environment.
Common Issues & Solutions
Warping of Prints
Uneven bed or insufficient adhesion. calibrate the bed and increase solid glue.
Layer Separation
Low temperature or insufficient cooling. increase print temperature or reduce fan speed.
Rough Surface
Too fast print speed or too large layer height. reduce speed or decrease layer height.
Difficult Support Removal
Unreasonable support angle. adjust support parameters.
123D Design modeling software was used to design a 3D model with the interior hollowed out as a sphere and the exterior as a cube. Because the interior is hollowed out as a sphere structure, it can only be realized by 3D printing.
1.3.2 Model slice processing
Models designed using 123D cannot be printed directly, and parameters such as filling density and printing speed need to be set by slicing software. I used Creality Slicer software for slicing.
1.3.3 Manufacture layer by layer
Two sizes of cubes, 2cm and 5cm, were printed respectively, and the printing time was affected by the model size, filling density and speed.It is worth noting that during the printing process, the material was not replenished in time, resulting in the first printing not being completed. Then use the remaining material to print another mixed-color cube.
1.3.4 3D hollow home decoration
I also designed a 3D hollowed-out home decoration.And some 3D printed works of our school students
Student work
In our school's 3D printing interest class, students will design and print some creative works.
2 3D Scanning
We scanned two different objects in two different ways, the Mouse model and the whole body.
2.1 Scanning Principles and Pros/Cons Analysis
Scanning Technique
Principle
Advantages
Disadvantages
Laser Triangulation Method
Uses laser to illuminate the object and captures the reflected light position changes with a camera to calculate 3D coordinates.
High precision, suitable for small to medium-sized objects.
Poor performance on reflective or transparent surfaces.
Structured Light Scanning
Projects structured light onto the object's surface and analyzes pattern deformation to reconstruct a 3D model.
Fast speed, high precision.
Sensitive to ambient light.
Stereo Vision Method
Uses two cameras to capture images from different angles and calculates depth information through disparity.
No additional light source required, low cost.
Precision depends on resolution and algorithms.
Time-of-Flight (ToF)
Measures the time it takes for a light pulse to travel to the object and back to calculate distance.
Suitable for large-scale scanning, strong real-time performance.
Lower precision, highly affected by ambient light.
Contact Scanning
Uses a physical probe to touch the object's surface and collect data point by point.
Suitable for high-precision applications.
Slow speed.
CT Scanning
Uses X-rays to penetrate the object and generate internal and external 3D models.
Can detect internal structures.
Expensive equipment, mainly used in professional fields.
2.2 Scanning Process
Hardware: POP3 3D scanner and Goertek VR model full-body scanner. Both belong to the stereo vision method.
Objects Scanned: Mouse model (2.5cm) and human body (160 cm).
Process: Object scanning → Software processing of the model (point cloud fusion | meshing | texture mapping, etc.) → Printing.
2.4 Scanning Results
2.3.1 Mouse model
After Scanning, point cloud editing, grid editing and mapping, the 3D model is completed.
2.3.2 Goertek VR model full-body scanner-Human Model
With the help of Goertek colleagues, we completed the model calibration, full-range photography of the human body, camera parameter calculation, model training, mesh reconstruction optimization, texture generation, and finally obtained the full-body scan model.
Scanned portrait
Image processing
Learning problem
1.3D printing process, first check whether the printer material is enough to complete the printing task, otherwise it will cause a print interruption and need to print twice.
2.3D printing process, pay attention to the setting of printing speed and layer density, the material may be too fast, resulting in fracture.
