01. GROUP ASSIGNMENT
MISSION LOG: SCANNING AND 3D PRINTING
Read the full group report here:
📂 OPEN GROUP ASSIGNMENT3D SCAN & PRINTING
Entering the third dimension. Scanning reality and printing layer by layer.
STEP 01: THE CALIBRATION
Before capturing any object, the scanner must be calibrated. This ensures the digital tracking is accurate and scales properly. Here is the setup and the calibration process.
01. Setting up the calibration board.
CALIBRATION VIDEO 1
CALIBRATION VIDEO 2
STEP 02: THE SCANNING PROCESS
Once calibrated, I started capturing the object. To show the full process, here are the first steps, followed by a real-time video of the scanner mapping the geometry, and the final digital processing.
01. This is the item i´m going to scan: a Treecko figure.
02. Starting the point cloud capture.
IN ACTION: SCANNING THE GEOMETRY
Watch how the software interprets the shape in real-time.
03. Adjusting angles for blind spots.
04. I used plasticine to stabilize the figure and prevent it from moving during scanning.
05. Final clean 3D model.
STEP 03: MATERIALIZING THE PIECE (3D PRINTING)
Moving from digital back to physical. Here is the complete workflow of 3D printing the part I designed for my Final Project.
01. Preparing the G-Code and supports in the slicer software.
PRINTING PROCESS: PART 1
Laying down the first crucial layers and supports.
PRINTING PROCESS: PART 2
Building the final structure layer by layer.
02. The finished printed piece, it´s my favorite pokemon.
STEP 04: SYSTEM GLITCHES (ERROR LOG)
Even heroes make mistakes. Not everything went perfectly on the first attempt. I encountered a problem during the process. Here is the photographic evidence of what went wrong.
01. The problem appears.
02. The messy result.
VIDEO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE
Capturing the exact moment things went wrong.
THE FIX:
I fixed this issue by selecting the option "features" in the software interface and re-running the print job with corrected settings.
STEP 03: 3D DESIGN & PRINTING
To complete this mission, I designed a Print-in-Place articulated chain in SolidWorks. This specific design cannot be manufactured using subtractive methods like laser cutting because the links are interconnected and must be printed fully assembled. Here is the design process, the printing action, and the final result.
THE CAD PROCESS
01. Sketching the first base block.
02. Extruding the main body.
03. Drawing the slot for the interlocking link.
04. Using the Sweep feature to create the chain ring.
05. Everytime I want to make a new part, I start with a new perpendicular sketch to the previous one.
06. This is how the final model looks in SolidWorks.
Printing the articulated chain layer by layer.
MATERIALIZING: 3D PRINTING
FINAL RESULT.