3D Design, Models, Scanning and Printing

"I've always been passionate about geometry and the study of three-dimensional forms." --Erno Rubik, inventor of the Rubik's Cube, quote from brainyquote.com

"The technology used by most 3D printers to date—especially hobbyist and consumer-oriented models—is fused deposition modeling, a special application of plastic extrusion, developed in 1988 by S. Scott Crump and commercialized by his company Stratasys, which marketed its first FDM machine in 1992. " --Taken from Wikipedia article on 3D printing (7/24/2020)

Related MakeHaven Badges for the unit:

  • Minimum: 3D printers

  • Multiple 3D Printing Processes: 3D printers, FormLabs 3B

  • Full 3D Printing Suite: 3D printers, FormLabs 3B, Markforged 3D Printer

For the course, we recommend that you get as many of the badges above as is practical. Also, it can be really helpful if you have earned them before the needed unit, so their acquisition does not eat in to your time to finish assignments. Coordinate with facilitators to complete badges.

Fab Academy:

These are in-depth discussions of topics related to this unit, borrowed with love from the Fab Academy archives. The videos linked here (and on the rest of the webpage) are intended to deepen your knowledge on the topics. They are not required for the Foundations of Fabrication course, but they are often good to watch for more perspectives on the same ideas. We love 🎧 listening to videos while doing the repetitive tasks of making; 👀peeking over whenever they've got something good on screen.

Unit 8.1 =====

Slides on 3D modeling and Fusion360

3D Design Software

Fully designing projects in 3D is probably the biggest superpower of digital fabrication. Many people can conceptualize projects in their head, but often not with the full detail that is needed to actually make something [or identify flaws in a design before they are built]. Designing an accurate 3D model can 1) inform how we make a project, 2) set the needed analog cut list, 3) CNC planning, 4) check for interference, 5) check for linkages, sometimes even 6) simulate stresses and operation and many more benefits.

  • Introduce several 3D design software options

  • surface models (built with triangles/ artsy) vs designs (built with shapes/ engineering)

    • shapes described by triangles

    • shapes with dimensions

    • shapes as functions

  • the basics of sketch/ extrude in designs

  • more exotic process to make shapes:

    • extrude to object

    • revolve

    • loft

    • pattern (features)

    • construction planes

  • the core pieces of parametric design

    • dimensions

    • dimensions described by variables

    • constraints (within sketches and geometries)

    • assemblies of parts/ components

    • planed motion relationships between parts

  • computer generated models

  • advanced strategies you may want to use while designing:

    • complex, representative sketches (like an architect may draw) that lead to several separate extrusions

    • more exotic extrusions: modeling in ways that represent a part's intended relationships

      • lofts

      • sweeps

      • patterns

    • symmetries, constraints and parameters that make the model robust against last-minute design changes

    • complex extrusions from/to other surfaces in a model or series of parts

    • components or assemblies that relate & isolate parts of complex multi-part models

Assignment [Unit 8.1]

    • Choose a software (after possibly exploring several options) Recommended [in 2020]: Fusion360 - noted above

      • If you install and try several of these for the assignment, include screenshots/ screen recordings in your portfolio for this assignment

    • 3D design something **Bonus for a parametric design

If you have no idea what to model a great suggested start is a simple doghouse design, as these often need to be scaled up or down for different size dogs. They make great practice for learning how to constrain geometry and the basics of using parametric design tools.

Fusion360 Basics

surface modeling in Fusion360

Sketch Constraints

Parametric Modeling

Lecture

Unit 8.2 =====

Slides on 3D printing, 3D scanning and other 3D design processes for making

3D Printing and Scanning

  • The basics of FDM, SLA, SLS and more types of 3D printing

    • FDM is the most common of these technologies in makerspaces

      • design considerations for FDM

        • supports and post-processing

        • overhangs - Y, H, T

        • print bed adhesion

        • layer height

  • 3D model > STL > Gcode (via slicer of any kind)

  • 3D scanning technologies (edge finding, structured light, lidar, etc)

Assignment [Unit 8.2]

    • 3D print something small (20 grams of filament or less) and 3D scan something

    • *bonus if you can turn your own head into a small container for plants...

This was promised a return:

There are many common skills that cross all serious 3D modeling software options.

Lecture

Guest Lecture