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!
Skip to main content
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
Anything that fits into 45mm3 is fine !
Francesca
Mm or cm?!
4.5cmx4.5cmx4.5cm
Ok I will try one now at 2500% original scale which is slightly over 4.5cm3 but will give us an indication. My gut instinct is that the poles may need to be thicker. I’ll see though.
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)
I tell you what I’ll do I’ll try a low quality on with lots of added supports and tell you if it goes well or not. Also I think that a powder or resin would be better suited but there’s none round here that can do it fast enough I had a look through some hubs.
Hi Francesca,
OK cool. I’m just trying a new trial print at the moment, but see my reply to George…
If you can get a resin, or powder based print in time, I’m sure that that would be the way to go, but if not, someone here might be able to try that alternate orientation, which is just a little bit more forgiving on a filament (FDM/FFF) printer.
If your deadline is strict, and no-one else can do it, I should be able to print 15 units for you in time for Thursday, if white ABS (see materials guide here - Online 3D Printing Service | Instant 3D Printing Quotes | Hubs) would work for you. Some hand rework might be needed on these prints to get them to an sufficiently acceptable standard for you.
I hope this helps!
Mike
Actually Mike you can take it because I don’t whether it will defiantly work and I’ve got to get another print done for some else. Also it will probably turn out better on your machine. So you can take it buddy.
Hi Mike,
George has passed it to you as he has another order to complete,
Would you still be able to do this? / deliver before thursday?
Im fine with the material and a bit of handwork.
Let me know !
Francesca
Hi Francesca,
Yes, of course. I trust I can still help with this.
If you would care to contact me via my Hub below, we can discuss this further and make sure that I can provide the service you need.
Kind regards,
Mike
Hi George!
I take it this was meant for me?
Yes, Your model looks a lot lighter on the support structure than mine, so yes, if you don’t mind and I could have a copy of the model, that would be great. My support structure is more the conventional vertical kind, but takes a lot longer to print that way…
Cheers,
Mike
Hi Mike sorry yes here’s the model. If you need anymore supports or anything else just message me.
George
new support model.stl (3.54 MB)
Thanks George! I’ll have a look!
Actually, just discussing with Francesca offline, I think I might have found a new way of printing this… The symmetry eluded me at first! Will let you know how I get on!
Thanks again my friend!
Mike
Ah cool, nice one!
Hi,
I’m now finished with my other customer so if there’s anything I can do let me now. @frankiecheska