6. 3d Design and Printing

6.1 Designing on Onshape

To illustrate the impact of infill in 3D printing, I created a test sample holder in Onshape. The design allows me to show infill variations from 0% all the way up to 100%.

The print completed successfully, and the final result met my expectations. The infill samples, ranging from 0% to 100%, were properly positioned and clearly distinguishable.

I decided to create a flexible robotic arm for future projects. I used Onshape to design it, and its flexible structure allows it to perform different movements.

I 3D-printed the arm using TPU to allow flexion, since TPU is a flexible material. This flexibility enables the robotic arm to bend and adapt its shape, making it suitable for a wide range of movements and future applications. The use of TPU also helps absorb stress during motion, improving durability and performance.

Using 3D printing instead of other manufacturing technologies offers several advantages. First, it allows rapid prototyping, making it easy to design, test, and modify the robotic arm without high costs or long production times. Design changes can be implemented quickly by adjusting the digital model and reprinting the part. In addition, 3D printing enables the creation of complex and flexible geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods such as machining or molding. This is especially important for a flexible robotic arm, where internal structures and customized shapes are required to achieve controlled flexion. Another key advantage is material versatility. Flexible materials like TPU can be directly printed, eliminating the need for multiple components or assembly processes. This reduces weight, simplifies the design, and improves reliability. Finally, 3D printing is cost-effective for small production runs and educational or experimental projects, making it ideal for research, prototyping, and future development.

7. 3D Scanning

3D scanning is a technology that analyzes a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and, sometimes, its color (texture). The collected data is then used to create a 3D model—a digital representation of the physical object. You can think of it as the equivalent of a camera or a photocopier, but instead of capturing a flat 2D image, it captures the three-dimensional geometry of an object.

To ensure accurate scans, the Go!SCAN 20 must first be calibrated using the included calibration kit and reference panel.

Once calibrated, I began scanning the part. The software displayed a live preview in real time, which made it easy to monitor the scan as I worked.

8. Learnings

Through this process of 3D scanning with the Go!SCAN 20 and integrating it with 3D printing, several important lessons were learned. First, calibration is a critical step that must be performed before each scanning session using the included kit, as it directly impacts the accuracy of the captured data. The real-time preview feature in the VXelements software proved to be invaluable, allowing immediate feedback and the ability to correct missing areas during scanning.

Additionally, designing a test sample holder in Onshape with infill percentages ranging from 0% to 100% provided an effective visual demonstration of how infill affects print strength, weight, and material usage. This simple model became a useful teaching tool for understanding infill properties in 3D printing.

9. Files

Here are the files available for download.

1. Printing Test: Test Print

2. 3d Model Onshape : 3d Print Part.STL