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The needed Knowledge
The needed Knowledge
A.Choose a 3D-printing technology
B. Prepare the 3D-model for the machine type
C.Export STL from Rhino, Blender, Alias or SolidWorks
D.Check & Analyze the STL file
E.Contact the operator or just 3D-print it yourself :)
A. Choose a 3D-printing technology
A. Choose a 3D-printing technology
3D-printer types and technologies
3D-printer types and technologies
They all differ! Look at:
Quality, size, cost, speed, thickness and material strength.
They all differ! Look at:
Quality, size, cost, speed, thickness and material strength.
What is your best choice of 3D-printer?
What is your best choice of 3D-printer?
Info pages: 3dinsider, protolabs, all3dp, Makeanything video
Vat Polymerization (liquid photopolymer)
Stereolithography (wiki: SLA) video
Digital Light Process (DLP) similar
Brittle, Intrticate details, Transparent materials, SupportPowder Bed Fusion (Polymers)
Selective Laser Sintering (wiki: SLS) video Strong, No support, Costly, Not desktopPowder Bed Fusion (Metals)
Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
Connex3 Objet350:
MAX SIZE 342 x 342 x 200 mm (xyz)
Prusa mk3S+ (0.4mm nozzle): 250 x 210 x 210 mm (XYZ)
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3DhubsInfo BenVideo
Fast, Cheap
ZCorp:
MAX SIZE 254 x 203 x 203 mm (xyz)
A good 3Dhubs Overview of 3D-print technologies, additive and subtractive
75 sec video
B. Prepare the 3D-model for the choosen 3D-machine type
B. Prepare the 3D-model for the choosen 3D-machine type
Able to fit in the machine
Able to fit in the machine
Most 3D-printers is able to make about 200 x 200 x 200 mm 3D-models
ZCorp: 254 x 203 x 203 mm (xyz)
Connex3 Objet350: 342 x 342 x 200 mm (xyz)
Prusa mk3: 250 x 210 x 210 mm (XYZ)
But it´s to big! :(
But it´s to big! :(
Split your 3D-model and glue it together when done
Youtube: How to cut STL models for 3D printing in Meshmixer
Youtube: Oversized 3D printing: How to split STLs in Meshmixer
Of course the same workflow can be used in other softwares like:
Rhino
Blender
Alias
SolidWorks
A "lazy approach" is just a flat split. Then carefully align the parts and glue them together :)
Enough strength
Enough strength
Walls should not be less than:
Walls should not be less than:
ZCorp: about 2 mm The plaster is very fragile.
Connex3 Objet350: about 0.2 mm
Knife-like edges should be rounded!
Knife-like edges should be rounded!
Otherwise risc for a jagged edge. The edge will not be well definied
Part Orientation
Part Orientation
Surface quality is usually worse where the support material is located. But some machines have less impact, powder based.
Optimize orientation for strength especially for FDM machines where the slices (layers) direction has a huge impact on the strength.
Multi Material 3D Printing
Multi Material 3D Printing
ONE STL-file = ONE shell (volume)!
ONE STL-file = ONE shell (volume)!
The Connex3 Objet350 can combine several materials if you have several shells (volumes)
Make ONE separate STL-file for each different material!
Include the the wanted material within the file name(s). Choose the final material together with the 3D-operator, when preparing the 3D-printer.
Some examples:
Make a grip with a rubber feeling
Make a certain area transparent
Make a soft living hinge HubsInfo
Two separate STL files with different materials made at the same time together
Clearance for moving parts
Clearance for moving parts
If you want to fit a pin in a hole you need some "air" between the parts.
ZCorp: 0.5 mm
Connex3: 0.3 mm
If you need to paint your parts you need more air!
C. Export STL from Rhino
C. Export STL from Rhino
Guide is for Rhino but workflow can easily be applied to Solidworks, Blender, Alias and many other 3D-tools!
Work in millimeters
Work in millimeters
STL files does not "have" units.
But using millimeters gives less scaling issues
Export only necessary geometry!
Export only necessary geometry!
Hide (or delete) everything ,Curves, Dimensions, Circles, Lights excepts the surfaces!
Select the Surfaces
File > Export Selected > STL
Export Selected as STL
Choose Detailed Control
Choose Detailed Control
Choose Detailed Control for more control :)
IMPORTANT! Decide the Quality of the Mesh
IMPORTANT! Decide the Quality of the Mesh
Adjust and refine the Mesh with
Maximum angle: 0 or 5 - 8
Maximum aspect ratio: 0 or 6 - 20
Maximum edge length: 0 or x mm
Good for avoiding long and stretched polygonsMaximum distance, edge to surface: 0.1 to 0.001
The accepted deviation between your smooth NURBS surface and a flat triangle mesh
Preview and decide to adjust one of the values and then you preview again!
Create and Preview the Mesh
Adjust until the mesh looks tight and smooth, especially on rounded areas!
Non silly file size!
Non silly file size!
Check that the STL-file size is below 20mb
Usually never over 50 mb
Over 100 mb is embarrassing! :)
A big and "heavy" file only makes the data handling and software calculations slower...
File size above 20 mb then Adjust Mesh again :)
D.ALWAYS check & Analyze the STL file
Netfabb 7.4 Free at Github
Drop the STL file into the old free Netfabb 7.4.0
Drop the STL file into the old free Netfabb 7.4.0
Use the old versions like 5.2 or 7.4 they are very old but powerful
The present version is free 30 days for student and enormous in sizeDownload this free, awesome and very tiny (23mb) tool at Github Netfabb7.4.0
Netfabb Analyze ! !
Netfabb Analyze ! !
Use Analyze
And possibly go for an Automatic Repair
right-click and save as STL
ALWAYS check for OK result with Netfabb Analyze! ! !
Save Netfabb Analyzes screen dumps of every STL-file!
Save Netfabb Analyzes screen dumps of every STL-file!
Then it is easier for the 3D-operator to recognise each part on the 3D-building plate.
Fix and repair a STL-file
Fix and repair a STL-file
If you have a NURBS source model, then try your best to repair before exporting as a STL-file!
Netfabb: Click the Red Cross. Repair and export STL
MeshMixer: Edit -> The Inspector
MeshMixer: Edit -> Make Solid only used when it is really bad :)
Blender: 3D Print Toolbox
Analyze and Repair (Make Manifold)Prusa Slicer: Right click -> Fix by Windows repair algorithm
Netfabb: Repair
Netfabb: Export STL-file
Blender: Repair with Make Manifold
Prusa Slicer: Repair
E.Contact the operator or just print out yourself :)
To use the Professional 3D printing machines, Connex3-Objet350 or ZCorp
To use the Professional 3D printing machines, Connex3-Objet350 or ZCorp
A. STL-FILES:
A. STL-FILES:
Make a folder with your name and date. Use the link for your choosen machine (do NOT email files!)
White ZCorp: \\130.239.61.251\uid\CAID_files\_STL files for Z-corp Rapid
Black Connex Objet 350: \\130.239.61.251\uid\CAID_files\_STL files for Rapid Objet
Name the STL-files with
wanted material in the name
and MULTIMATERIAL (fused/overmould) in the file name if you want two materials to "melt" onto one object
save them in your folder
ONE file for each object(volume/shell). Do not have several objects in one stl-file!
Save also Netfabb Analyzes screen dumps. The images helps the 3D-operator to find what is your 3D-part and also verifies all is good with your geometry
1. File name(s). Include the the wanted material within the File name(s).Do not email the STL-files! (Put files on our server, se above.)
2. Type of material you wish the model to be printed with
Objet350/Connex3: White, Transparent, Rubber or a mix of these!
For rubber you can choose how soft or strong you like it with a Shore valueZ-Corp makes a plaster like material a bit fragile.
But it can be post treated with cyanoacrylate or a more friendly salt based liquid.
And just painting it makes it slightly stronger.(For Prusa mk3s: Black or white PLA is the normally loaded filament)
3. Which DOLF project to register it for.
4. What kind of purpose it will be used for (example "TD2 examination, Product & Analysis course...")
Now double check with the 3D-operator all is ok with you files and choice of material!
White ZCorp
A plaster like material, a bit fragile.
Black Connex Objet 350
White, Transparent, Rubber or a mix of these!
To use a FDM 3D printing machine, Prusa mk3S+ 0,4 mm nozzle
To use a FDM 3D printing machine, Prusa mk3S+ 0,4 mm nozzle
Import your file into a Slicer
Import your file into a Slicer
IMPORTANT choose ONLY Model:
Original Prusa i3 MK3S & MK3S+
0,4 mm nozzle
Uncheck all other models!
Follow a How to guide
Follow a How to guide
How to make your first 3D print
Support material ON (if needed)
Place ALL parts on the bed, no air gap!
Orient the parts smartly
Use bigger Layer height to lower printing time! See image --->
Choose PLA for the filament setting
Take a SD-card to the 3D-printer and print
Take a SD-card to the 3D-printer and print
Write your name and info on the whiteboard!
Choose ONLY Model: Original Prusa i3 MK3S & MK3S+ 0,4 mm nozzle
Use bigger Layer height to lower printing time!
Choose PLA for the filament setting
External links for a free Quote calculation with other materials!
CraftClod.com 3D Printing Marketplace
i.materialise.com Instant Price Quote
makexyz.com Upload for a instant price
Google search 3d printing quote online
( not up... shapeways.com instantly get a price )
Some STL repair software links
Some STL repair software links
Netfabb basic free and easy push a button auto repair (Our favourite) at Github Netfabb7.4.0
MeshMixer free Fun and simple STL tool (Also a favourite)
Meshlab free and open source
Magics Expensive (but 30-day free). By Materialise
Accutrans 30 days free tool
Mini-Magics free but no repair
Polyworks Expensive.
GeoMagic Expensive.
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