Flocking 3D printed FDM parts

[vawontwerp]

So, the idea was to make a 3D printed ‘minion’-like silly green figure coated with grass particles (the stuff they use to make landscapes for miniature train sets).

3D-modeling

The 3D model was made in Blender using a few simple shapes, the eyes, teeth and tongue were later added and ‘boolean-cut’ from the body.

3D-printing

A nice thing about this technique that it masks ugly prints and rough layer thicknesses. You can find the 3D files on thingiverse.

The f(l)ocking finish

For the green turf surface finishing I used multiple layers of ‘scenic cement’ from a company called Woodland Scenics and covered it with the grass particles (I used these, but you can mix it up with different colors to get a specific look).

The process goes as follows, you spray the model, cover it with the particles, shake off any particles that are not stuck on the model and repeat the process until you are happy with the result. Once satisfied, finish with a good spray of the cement to make the particle finish more durable.

I found that the particles wouldn’t stick well on the 3D print, maybe use a different kind of glue the next time or prime / sand the model, maybe you guys have ideas or experience with this material? However, the cement does make the particles rock hard which makes it possible to handle the model. The different colored teeth, eyes and tongue were added after the surface treatment and were glued in.

And voila!

Let me know what you think, I hope somebody can use this somehow in a cool project.

By!

- Frits

[Luuk]

Love it! Make’s a good partner for Marvin!

[Bauermaker]

awesome, can i copy you ?

[Arnoldas]

haha! This is neat! Where are you gonna place it?

[FrancescoB]

Wow Frits it’s really cool! Thanks for sharing

[FormTech3D]

awesome, looks great, cool idea

[Bauermaker]

back in the day, when i was still playing Warhammer i used wood glue applied with a brush, used to work quite well

[3dMDD]

Cool!

[lidela]

Great!

[Jori]

It’s amazing!

[pmsimard]

Wow

[gabriela3d]

Love this thanks for sharing!

[3Dcase]

Good busy Frits!..

Check This…

http://www.nproject.org/nl/modelspoor-scenery/statisch-gras-leggen-op-de-modelbaan.html

[Wupsje]

Hi, for the teeth, there are some semi translucent sculpey or Fimo polymer clays, they would give a more realistic teeth. (You could 3D print the moulds for them) Awesome idea!

[Alex3DHubs]

Awesome! Is this you also? https://imgur.com/gallery/Xz39cql . If not, you should take a look at this - http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=37186 . Basically you can add a ‘charge’ to the grass to perk it up!

[vawontwerp]

Hi Alex, that looks amazing, haven’t seen this before, thanks for sharing!

[vawontwerp]

Somewhere near a window with lot’s of sun to see if the grass starts growing

[vawontwerp]

I think the longer grass would be awesome for eyebrows, a moustache or just a really furry guy

[vawontwerp]

We actually tried some smaller prints of this model (to be used as giveaways), but the size of the teeth becomes a problem, might upload an optimized version for smaller printing.

[wurst]

Love this! Thanks for sharing!