Assignment: 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)

Introduction

Individual assignment

For this assignment, I designed and 3D printed a gear that could not be manufactured through subtractive methods due to its intricate geometry and parameter-driven adaptability. The object was designed using SolidWorks and fabricated using a Anycubic Kobra 2 neo 3D printer.

Software Used:

The 3D model was created using SOLIDWORKS 2023, a professional-grade CAD software. The design was exported for slicing using a compatible slicer software like Cura or Anycubic Slicer to prepare it for 3D printing.

Step 1 – Part Creation:

The process began by opening SOLIDWORKS and creating a new Part document. A sketch was initiated on the Front Plane to begin shaping the base profile of the object.

Step 2 – Sketching the Profile:

A semicircular arc was drawn along with a vertical line to form the profile of a sphere. This sketch defined the basic shape that would later be revolved into a 3D body.

Step 3 – Revolve Feature:

Using the Revolved Boss/Base feature, the semicircle was rotated 360° around the central axis to form a complete sphere. This became the base body for all subsequent operations.

Step 4 – Top Cut Creation:

A circular cut was made from the Top Plane using the Cut-Extrude tool. This created an open top on the sphere, introducing a hollow passage and internal visibility.

Step 5 – Triangular Cutout:

An angled reference plane was created and used to sketch a triangle. This triangular profile was then extruded through the sphere in both directions, forming a sharp, internal cutout that passes through the body.

Step 6 – Intersecting Cut:

A second cross-cut was created from a different angle with a circular or hexagonal shape. This cut intersected with the previously formed internal geometry, creating a complex network of openings.

Step 7 - Exporting the 3D Model as STL:

Once the 3D design was finalized in SOLIDWORKS, it was exported in the STL format, suitable for 3D printing. The mesh had 8,116 triangles and a size of 405 KB, ensuring a well-optimized model for slicing.

Step 8 - Opening the STL in Anycubic Slicer:

The STL was imported into Anycubic Slicer v1.4.4 for use with the Anycubic Kobra 2 Neo printer. The model was placed on the virtual build plate, and slicing settings such as PLA filament and 0.20 mm layer height were selected.

Step 9 - Slicing the Model:

Settings such as infill density, brim support, and build plate adhesion were applied. The slicing process estimated a print time of 1 hour 43 minutes and required approximately 13.09 meters (39.03 grams) of filament.

Step 10 - G-code Generation:

The sliced file was exported as ball.gcode and saved to a USB drive. This G-code file contains all the instructions needed by the printer to produce the model.

Hero shot

1. Selecting the Object

The object chosen for scanning was a small toy. This was selected due to its distinct shape and well-defined features, making it suitable for 3D reconstruction.

The first image shows the real toy used for scanning.

2. Capturing Multiple Angles

To ensure an accurate 3D scan, multiple images of the toy were taken from different angles using the Kiri Engine.

The next image displays the collected photos, covering all perspectives required for proper model generation.

The settings were adjusted to export the model in OBJ format, which is compatible with 3D printing and further modifications.

3. Rendering and Viewing the 3D Model

The app processed the images and generated a 3D model, converting it into a mesh representation.

Once the rendering was complete, the OBJ file was displayed within the Kiri Engine.

The generated model was inspected for accuracy, ensuring that the shape and details were preserved from the original object.

4. Final Out

The next image presents the final 3D file of the scanned object.

Once the rendering was complete, the OBJ file was displayed within the Kiri Engine.

The generated model was inspected for accuracy, ensuring that the shape and details were preserved from the original object.