Introduction
3D printing and 3D scanning are key technologies in digital fabrication that enable interaction between the digital and physical worlds. 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process in which a physical object is created from a digital 3D model by depositing material layer by layer until the final form is achieved. Designers typically create models using computer-aided design tools such as Fusion 360 or Tinkercad, then prepare them for printing using slicing software like Ultimaker Cura or Creality Print, which converts the model into machine instructions that guide the printer during fabrication. In contrast, 3D scanning is the process of capturing the geometry of a real-world object and converting it into a digital 3D model. This can be done using scanning devices or photogrammetry tools such as Polycam or Meshroom, which reconstruct a three-dimensional model from multiple images taken from different angles
Assignments
Group Assignment
The group assignment focused on testing and documenting the design rules of the available 3D printers, including limits related to overhangs, bridges, clearances, and wall thickness in order to better understand the capabilities and constraints of the machines..You can view our group assignment
The group assignment opened me to know more about about 3D printer capabilities and limitations.
Individual Assignment
The individual assignments consisted of two activities: first, designing, documenting, and 3D printing a small object that cannot be produced using subtractive manufacturing, typically involving complex geometries or moving parts that benefit from additive fabrication; and second, 3D scanning a real object to generate a digital 3D model, which could optionally be cleaned, modified, or reproduced through 3D printing.
These tasks provided practical experience in both creating objects through additive manufacturing and digitizing real-world objects for further design and fabrication.I came to know that cerain angle doesn't need support.
Tools & Software Used
I used a combination of tools and software to complete the project. The 3D model was designed using SOLIDWORKS, where sketches, extrusions, fillets, and chamfers were applied to create the final part. The model was then prepared for printing using the slicer software Creality Print, which allowed adjustment of parameters such as infill, layer height, speed, and supports, and exported the G-code for the printer. The object was fabricated on the Creality K1 3D Printer, building the design layer by layer. Optionally, 3D scanning software like Polycam or Meshroom can be used to capture real-world objects and generate digital models for printing.
| SOFTWARES AND TOOLS | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SOLIDWORKS | CAD Softwares used to design 3D | There are other softwares like Fusion ,openshape , thinkercad etc |
| Creality Print | Slicer software that edit and process printing parameters of a designed 3d with specific printer | recent creality known slicer |
| 3D printer Ender v3 K1 | 3D Printing | |
| Filament | PLA filament being melted to form our shape | There are other types of filaments such as PETG ,esun , silicon ... |
| Cutter | cut filament at 45 degrees |
Step-by-Step Process
For my individual assignment, I designed a simple piston mechanism, composed of a piston and a cylinder designed to work together. The goal was to demonstrate how additive manufacturing allows the creation of internal structures, pre-assembled parts, and complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional subtractive methods. The design includes internal angles, enclosed spaces, and pre-assembled features that showcase one of the main advantages of 3D printing: the ability to fabricate functional mechanisms in a single build.
Creality print
Conclusion
3D printing and 3D scanning are powerful digital fabrication technologies that connect the digital design world with physical manufacturing. Through this assignment in Fab Academy, I learned how to design objects using CAD software like SOLIDWORKS, prepare them for fabrication using slicing tools such as Creality Print, and produce them using a 3D printer. The process also highlighted the importance of design rules, including limits for overhangs, clearances, and wall thickness, to ensure successful prints. In addition, 3D scanning demonstrated how real-world objects can be captured and converted into digital models for analysis, modification, or reproduction. Overall, this experience showed how additive manufacturing enables the creation of complex geometries, internal structures, and pre-assembled mechanisms that would be difficult or impossible to produce with traditional manufacturing methods