1

We manufacture artificial corals for aquarium decorations.

Trying to use 3D scanning and printing to duplicate live corals. please see attached photos, left is 3D printed model, right is coral molded using resin.

The problem is lacking detail. the real corals have pores (tiny holes), can anybody please help to add pores to the 3D printed corals? Maybe use Blender 3D software?

Thanks a lot!

Yan

img_3481.jpg
img_3481.jpg4032×3024 3.45 MB

img_3482.jpg
img_3482.jpg4032×3024 2.93 MB

img_3483.jpg
img_3483.jpg4032×3024 2.76 MB

2

Hi

Is the problem that the 3D scan was not good enough resolution to pick up the tiny pores and so your stl does not include the pores? Then you need a better resolution scan, or to add in the pores. It’s not easy to manipulate an stl, but you could try using Microsoft’s 3D Builder.

Or does the stl include the pores, but your 3D printer cannot reproduce features that small? I’m not sure on the scale, but it seems from the build lines that you want a level of detail that an FDM machine would struggle with. If so, you’d probably be better with SLA or Polyjet.

3

I think the loss of detail occurred during the 3D scan process, STL does not have tiny pores. I can not find any other 3D scan equipment or technics that have high resolution to pick up the tiny pores. So I am trying to add the pores using some sort of editing software, maybe Blender or Microsoft 3D Builder? if you could provide any suggestion, I’d really appreciate it.

the 3D printer I am using is LulzBot TAZ 6, 3mm PLA. the sizes are: small corals approx. 6 inches, medium 8 inches, large 10-12 inches.

I think the real problem is how to add tiny pores in STL models.

Thanks for your reply.

4

Hey,

Are you able to upload the .stl file so we can take a look?

Regards

Mi.

5

STL file is lacking tiny pores. May need a 3D scanner with higher resolution. Does anybody know if Artec Space Spider is capable of catching this kind of detail? thanks
tbl-s002.stl (43 MB)

6

I just uploaded the STL file, thanks! Yan

7

Hi Yan

Okay, we just had a quick play in Mesh Mixer and your model doesn’t have the pores but you can use the sculpt tool to add them in manually (just obviously might add some time)… Mesh Mixer or Fusion 360 should be able to do this for you, I think Mesh Mixer is free and I think you can trial fusion for 30 days.

If you keep trying the scan route it might save you time modelling, but the modelling route will work but will obviously require a little time spent on it. We could free up a guy to look at this later this week if you need some help but charges for CAD work might better that you have a crack at it yourself first (you might find it really easy).

Mesh Mixer Link

http://www.meshmixer.com/

Mesh mixer manual link (might be helpful)

http://www.mmmanual.com/sculpting-overview/

Regards

Mi.

8

Hi Mi.,

Let me try Mesh Mixer first, I’ll post the result

I really appreciate he help :slight_smile:

Yan

9

No worries Yan,

Let us know if you need anymore help.

Also, we have some SLA 3D Printers available to use if you want to make some more detailed resin prints for moulds etc.

Regards

Mi.

10

is reducing outerwall in infill not a solution to make it more like coral. you’ll have to experiment with it!

11

Hi mievans,

Could you please contact me in marcosfarinaltd
at
gmail
dot
com

Kind regards.