How Would I Best Print This?

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T12:18:33.000Z

Hi Guys,

I have had this file printed before but there were a few errors due to retraction settings etc. Would anyone be able to recommend the best way to get it printed? Or be able to print it for me? I have used a hub before for printing but it didn’t yield ideal results. Therefore I am asking what you would recommend.

Thanks,

Sean
thames2.stl (91.4 MB)

Arnoldas · 2015-05-15T12:38:29.000Z

Aww dammn! This is really a complex print! I wonder if there are Hubs in London up for that.

Cinter · 2015-05-15T12:41:44.000Z

@seangeraghty @derKarsten I’ll have a look around

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T12:47:12.000Z

Thanks for that! Yeah it really is rather complex. But our project was to design something that had to be 3D printed, hence the complexity

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T12:48:11.000Z

Yeah I hope there are! I have another three like that one too.

Arnoldas · 2015-05-15T12:48:30.000Z

The Princess saves the day again!

Cinter · 2015-05-15T12:51:24.000Z

@seangeraghty can it be scaled? We have some suggestions for you.

1. Ask the masters @LOURIMI, if you are ok with it being smaller as they should be able to print it on their SLA machine.

2. We have contacts outside the network but still in London that print using SLS http://www.digits2widgets.com/ mention us as a referral.

In the meantime I’ll keep on thinking

Kindest regards,

Princess Charlotte

The Mayor’s office aka Cinter

3drus · 2015-05-15T12:51:40.000Z

Hi Sean, seams like it would be best to print it in SLA Plastic or Plaster Powder printers like our’s, Try our hub in NY and we will be happy to help you.

Cheers

Oren

gregh · 2015-05-15T12:52:59.000Z

Love this model!

On FDM I think the main issue would be support on the inside of the “bulb” near the top where it starts to become near horizontal. I think that you’d need to add a column up the middle and possibly branch out with some custom support. That is FDM.

All of those tiny holes might be another challenge, but I’d need to test a small section and see. It will certainly take a lot longer I think. What is the wall thickness of the main structure?

Also what particular challenges did you have last time with the other hub?

It’s useful to know which areas are critical in terms of finish. There is another obvious overhang but I assume that will be largely hidden when fitted in place.

Doing this on an SLS printer is probably going to get you the best results, but at a cost. What sort of delivery time do you have in mind?

Cheers,

Greg

seangeraghty · 2015-05-15T12:54:28.000Z

Hi Oren,

How much would that cost including shipping? As I am in the UK and on a reasonably tight budget (student project and all).

Cheers,

Sean

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