How Would I Best Print This?

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T13:01:17.000Z

Hi Greg,

Glad you love the model!

Basically it printed pretty darn well until around 98mm and was printed upside down for support purposes.

This however the fell over due to some retraction issues, as I am not au fait with printer settings etc. I couldn’t justifiably explain it.

Thanks,

Sean

3Dmigos · 2015-05-15T13:02:45.000Z

Good to ask… Before my hub was running, I got an stl printed for me (not via a hub) and I paid £40 for a rubbish print!!!

Wow, it’s nice. What scale do you want it? As mentioned below, the holes might be a bit of an issue, but it depends on the scale… With FFF, It might take a bit of time to make sure all the holes are clear afterwards.

Is it a light fitting? At 100%, that makes it 17.8cm tall? If you want, I’ll print the first 5cm or so tonight to see how the holes come out. (FFF).

Regards

Cris.

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T13:03:07.000Z

Yeah I have thought about using the Form 1+ printer, however I need it to be this size for both aesthetic values and for the size of the bulb I am using.

Cheers

3Dmigos · 2015-05-15T13:04:59.000Z

Actually better to print upside down to minimise supports… I’ll print a bit and post a picture…

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T13:05:14.000Z

I am going to attach an image of the previous print

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T13:06:28.000Z

This was the print last time. Printed upside down

2015-04-23 23.04.59.jpg3120×4208 1.46 MB

gregh · 2015-05-15T13:10:19.000Z

If printed upside down you will get the poor surface on the outside (FDM specific point), If you can get it printed the right way up, the overhang is hidden to some extent inside the bulb. Depends again where the finish is critical, that’s why Hubs will often ask so many awkward questions about your product

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T13:12:22.000Z

Ahh that’s why. Do you think a dissolvable support would be an option?

gregh · 2015-05-15T13:12:29.000Z

The part you have showed doesn’t look bad (the holes look pretty good at least)

scalesandmodels · 2015-05-15T13:16:47.000Z

Hi Sean

I just had a look at that file on my objet and the way I would go around this one would be to print 2 halves which would come together afterwards.

If the pice is based on a total height of 180mm tall you are looking at a fairly expensive print due to the nature of the shape. It would need a lot of structural material. Saying that though I’m quite confident that I could make this print look pretty tidy.

If you have a peak at my hub’s images, I have printed fairly delicate shapes successfully before.

Let me know if you want any further advise.

Happy to help.

Ruben

ruben@scalesandmodels.co.uk

gregh · 2015-05-15T13:17:33.000Z

Yes, I think it may well be an option. I can’t do that myself though so can’t comment further. I was thinking more along the like of suppport that could be broken off and would look like a tree -possible in 2 halfs but it would probably take quite a lot of thought and maybe some experimentation to create that support in a way that it both works and can be removed and extracted afterwards. An interesting challenge

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T13:21:27.000Z

The holes were alright, a bit stringy but that is probably to be expected.

It however failed at that height. Hence the questioning

scalesandmodels · 2015-05-15T13:21:40.000Z

There’s an image of how I would print the 2 halves…

Screenshot 2015-05-15 14.18.03.png1920×1200 431 KB

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T13:28:04.000Z

Ahh yeah that would join nicely.

Impossible · 2015-05-15T13:48:30.000Z

Hi Sean,

I’ve just analysed your model for our Projet 3500 HD Max in blue acrylic and it’s possible to produce in one piece as designed but the cost is approx. £650 plus vat for XHD mode (0.016mm layer) or £425 plus vat for HD mode (0.032mm layer). If that’s within your budget, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

kind regards

Ian Carter

Impossible Creations

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T13:59:58.000Z

Blimey! That’s a lot more expensive than I thought. Thanks for the quote but it’s well outside my budget. Sorry.

Arnoldas · 2015-05-15T14:34:18.000Z

Make sure to link to your Hub next time We’re all about keeping it all within one platform,

Cheers

3Dmigos · 2015-05-15T14:47:59.000Z

Sean, ran it through my hub, came out at about £90 (fff), but there are student discounts you can apply: Student innovation grant 2020 | Hubs

I’ll print a sample this evening and post image. If it falls over while I’m printing, that’s my problem you will get a finished piece one way or another!!

The one you tried - how was the quality of the top bearing in mind it was printed upside down?

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T16:32:24.000Z

The top was slightly scarred, due to it being printed on the bed and the external facade was therefore rough.

Thanks for giving it a go

3Dmigos · 2015-05-16T10:15:52.000Z

Hi Sean,

Having problems with your STL, got a low-res print on the go now to see how it comes out. My build area is only 15cm high, so I re-scaled your balloon, leaving the screw thread the same size.

Here’s my suggestions so far:

You have a massive polygon count for a fairly simple shape - My computer kept crashing. Using Blender I have applied the ‘decimate’ modifier with a .3 setting to make it more manageable.
Because you have an enclosed shape, whichever way round it’s printed, there will be a lot of support material needed, this is expensive and best avoided. There is a ‘fashion’ in 3d printing to make everything support free - I think this is a bit of a fad, but certainly minimising supports is a great idea.
Your STL is non-manifold - that means there are gaps in the surface - specifically at the top of your balloon - the 8 sections come to a set of points, but they need to come to the same point.
I understand your brief is to design something that can only be 3dprinted… While your shape certainly fits this brief, here are some modification ideas to make the printing easier:

Cut the shape into 8 sections that snap and glue together. One of the great benefits of 3Dprinting is the ability to print functional parts. Then the sections will print largely support free, much quicker, and you can mix and match colours.
The whole piece at 15cm high will take about 13hours to print at low resolution, the separates can still be printed at the same time, but will be much quicker (about an hour each). Also, they can be bigger as many printers have a print area that is longer than taller.
I assume this is a light cover - one of the great things you can achieve with 3dprinting is Lithoplanes (search Google images!). One of the reasons your STL is so complex and takes a long time to print is the holes… If instead of the holes, you varied the thickness of the walls, so the outside would be smooth, and when the light is switched on, the Thames reveals itself. This effect is definitely something for 3d printing and it will simplify your print and make it stronger (so it can be thinner) and quicker to print.