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Hi Francesca,
I can see where you’re going with this now. Thanks for the info.
I’ve been playing with various options and orientations of your file, but I can’t achieve what you need with my filament printer I’m afraid. Even with the different support material options, I’m really struggling to get a model with sufficient integrity to print. I’d be happy to show you the nature of the issues if you’re around this way (Ross-on-Wye) but it’s largely due to the oblique angles involved and the fine structure that means the support material is denser than the finished article.
I think realistically you need either someone with a lot more skill at the modelling and structural support skills than me, or you’d need to look at a different print process than what I can offer (FFF/FDM) where each of the ‘beams’ of the structure are not directly extruded but are made up of slices of sections, especially as there are such ‘overhangs’ involved…
It could be that using a different print method such as resin printing or ones such as SLS where the support material is lower density and less integral to the print would work better for you. I suspect most local hubs will be using FFF/FDM printers however…
An odd thought - have you seen what can be achieved with the 3doodler pen? This might be a low-cost way of getting what you need, as you could effectively use a ‘point-to-point’ extrusion method to create your model. Of course, getting the precise angles and repeatability of the units could be tricky, but maybe worth an experiment. Unfortunately I don’t have one of these pens, much as I would like one!
You could try widening your enquiry to outside of the /Gloucester talk for other input from the wider community of course!
Sorry I can’t be of more help!
Mike
Hi I’m also in Coventry! I’m currently downloading the model and will get back to you if I can print it!
George
I’m down near Coventry and most likely could get them printed if they are able to be printed on fdm machines and posted to you by Wednesday/ Thursday.
That would be brilliant if you could ! did you read the below comments about the correct scaling etc?
Message me if you need more detail/info on the project!
Great! How about it, @frankiecheska? George, keep us updated on the 'if’s 
I will, sorry my internet is so slow it’s taking ages to download the file. Also by how much can I upscale the design?
George
okay, there is leeway with the pole thickness also if that helps.
Yes okay that probably would help as there would be less drooping on the overhangs. Also does this have to be finished up to a high standard or is it just a prototype?
Its a model for an exhibition so a relatively high standard would be preferred. It depends what you mean by a high standard?
Ok, well the thing is because my printer extrudes plastic it often struggles with overhangs as do all fdm printers. Therefore I would need to put in lots of support material for it to build onto, this is often hard to get rid of and can leave a rough surface. Anyway Ill see how this goes and get back to you.
Ah okay ! thank you!
Hi I’ve tried the print and unfortunately bad news. As feared the poles have lots of droop on them and are very week as they aren’t thick enough. Also some of the poles weren’t able to print as the overhang was too great with out support. I would recommend trying a resin printer. But if you must have it fdm printed you will need to make the poles thicker by at least 2-3mm I would think and add support in cad on pretty much all the overhangs. I will attach a picture of the failed print.
Ah thats a shame, I wouldn’t be able to make the pole thicknesses thicker quickly as it was a long process making the original model and I’m no expert in CAD! Thank you for the advice.
I suppose you could ask some people on here. There are some actual experts on here!
I’ve tried a much simpler CAD version - would this work??
Module - thicker.stl (14.3 MB)
yes this one looks better, ill have a g at printing it tomorrow if you like.
Yes thank you, that would be brilliant.
Hi gabriela3D, unfortunatly i was the 1st person to let francesca down! i current have about 30-40hrs works cued up on my machine and was unable to get a new job going untill the end of the week!
Hi,
I have tried it again and I do not believe this will be printable on a fdm machine like mine. I would see if there is anyone near you with a resin machine as others have stated. It may be able to be printed if it is much bigger than 45mm3. It is just too small for my machine. I don’t know anyone that has a resin machine and could have it done by Thursday, unfortunately.
Sorry I couldn’t help.
These models should be to the scale of 45mm3 if that helps at all.
module to print 45mm3.stl (17.1 MB)
Module - thicker 45mm3.stl (12.2 MB)
Hi Francesca,
Working with your thicker framed model, and maxed to fit in a 45mm3 area, I found a new orientation that might just make it possible to print on an FDM printer. Could you have a look at the image and see if that would work for you?
Mike
If this is the model I uploaded you may have to check with Francesca that it is the right model. All I did was upscale it though.
Hi George,
Did you want to try that rotation? The new base is the only ‘triangle’ that is connected to the ‘square’.
I have G-code if you want it, or you can try my attached file.
That rotation is less demanding of support material, but of course, a lot of support material is still required.
I think that resin or powder based printing will be a lot more efficient, but I’m not sure that Francesca has the luxury of time to find or get those printed.
As you’re much closer, would you still be able to fulfill this?
If not, let me know. I could just about print these in time, in ABS anyway, if needed. .35mm nozzle, ‘fine’ print is the best I can do though… Some retouching/rework might be needed…
Mike
https://www.3dhubs.com/gloucester/hubs/mike
Module - thickerMC.stl (2.21 MB)