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It’s Stijn from 3D Hubs. I’m working on a big content project at the moment and I’d like to ask you architects for some advice.

We’re creating a Knowledge Base - an extensive resource with articles covering everything about prototyping and 3D printing.

We’d like to include an article on how 3D printing is used by architects that covers:

  • The main architectural applications

    • ​Exploratory prototypes used to clarify requirements to the architecture together with stakeholders
    • Experimental prototypes used to gauge the adequacy of a proposed architecture before investing in large scale implementation

  • The main benefits of 3D printing architectural models

    • A visual perspective that you cannot get with blueprints or drawings
    • Save cost and time
    • Perfect for convincing stakeholders (investors, clients, managers, homeowners etc.)
    • More design freedom (3D printers can print almost any shape)

​

  • Design considerations for 3D printing architectural models

    • Something that should be mentioned here?

  • Material / technology considerations

    • ​FDM --> Cheap & fast
    • Full colour sandstone --> To communicate color variations
    • Polyjet --> For super realistic prints

What do you think of these draft bullet points? What points are missing?

Stijn

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  • Restrictions of 3d printing in comparison with different scales.
  • Level of details (examples)
  • Different styles of design (ie. Abstract, Low Poly)
  • Big scale and connection guidelines
  • Using multiple materials and examples (ie. Translucent parts)
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Stijn we will start giving training in architectural 3Dprinting, main thing in 3Ddesign thinking which means you’ll have to know the main benefits over every 3d print tech in order to achieve the beste model result

succes John Heimensem

3dscaleworks

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This is very helpful, thanks!

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Thanks for your feedback John. I guess it starts with knowing what the pro’s & cons of each technology / material are no matter what industry you’re in - from aviation, to consumer products, to architecture. Or do you believe there is something special about 3D printing in architecture?

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Hello,

maybe you should include research in main architectural application.

I think that 3d printing is widely used,

along with other technologies and

computational and generative design,

in architecture and design laboratories.

Not just to clarify specific architectural

problems, but in research of new ways ,

materials, and better understanding

of nature solutions etc.

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Good suggestion. We could add a chapter in the article that discusses how 3D printing fosters innovation in the architecture industry.

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We have many architectural clients and have put together a document with many best practices. We do mainly focus on the ProJet X60 line from 3D Systems formally the ZCorp line of printers. The document is located here; http://www.microsolresources.com/\_documents/others/3D%20Printing%20File%20Preparation.pdf

I would add the following to your list;

Ensure Water Tight Geometry, Maintain Resolution while optimizing file size, Be aware of the technology’s minimum thickness, reduce support material (not applicable for powder prints), reduce material usage, allow for support removal, move geometry to positive quadrant and near origin before exporting, communicate units being used, STL is great for white models while FBX can embed material textures, Use a an STL viewer to preview exported file (minimagics for example),

Roger Liucci

3D PRINTING AND BIM SPECIALIST

MICROSOL RESOURCES

NEW YORK | BOSTON | PHILADELPHIA

212.465.8734 | 617.229.7669 | 215.557.0770

microsolresources.com

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Stijn,

There are some tips and trickt to turn cons into pro’s as for instance FDM. You can learn a lot from the hobbykit manufacturers

Most architects are still delegating the modelwork to modelbuilders, but with a 3D printer you’ll gain a lot of time from design to a physycal model. Even if you do rederingsimulation . I work with dutch designed FDM printer from Leapfrog and achieve nice models.

I will start a website for all dutch railway arhitecture on demand soon as 3Dscaleworks.nl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ6gCfjhnxM

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Assuming that you will go deep into each of the mentioned subjects plus everything others have said in the comments below, I`d say you are covering quite a lot. In my experience and depending on many variants, architecture models sometimes are cheaper and faster when made with traditional materials but 3d printing is worth every penny for interior design. Scale models can hardly ever replicate all the details, colors and shapes of customized furniture, artistic elements, light analysis, etc if it wasn’t for 3d printing. I´d mention the learning curve it takes to get a decent print too. I thought I could 3d print just because I knew how to 3d model; I didnt expect all the design parameters it takes to print (scaling, tolerance, fittings, finishes, model orientation).

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I’m a professional architecture model builder and we use 3d-printed parts on a daily basis. One thing that might be interesting is how 3d-prints can be combined with traditional model building. I work on a lot of quite complex projects (airports, bridges, concert halls etc.) and still we never do 3d-print the complete scale model as one piece as usually it doesn’t make sense design or/and construction wise. It’s always a combination of different kind of processes. For example some facades or beams are way easier (also more cost effective) to produce with a CNC router out of sheet material.

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Yes totally agree, I think there is still a lot to win by educating architects about the benefits. Hence the article and great that you are setting up a training program. Just watched the video, very impressive!

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Aside from just model making, I’ve had a few orders of custom jigs or fixtures for custom interior pieces that are actually intended to be used in production. It’s not all prototyping and massing models.

Also, I think a rhino guide to exporting the right type of STL would be useful. Sometimes rhino meshes turn out very poorly. For design considerations, It would also be helpful to include the usefulness of hollowing pieces and splitting models to show interiors without the need for tons of support or something similar. Hope that helps!