4. 3D Printing and Scanning¶
This week’s tasks:
a) Learn how to use the 3D printing machine and print the model
b) Use the slicer software to make the design ready for printing
c) Learn how to use the 3D scanner and scan ourselves
3D Printing¶
Now that we learned the basics of 3D printing, we did a few tests as a group that you can see in detail here –> Group Documentation
In addition to the test we did as a group, I wanted to try printing my own model using an STL i found in THIS LINK
Here’s how it came out. After putting it through the creality slicer app, turns out we had to add support, the tree support in particular so that it doesn’t break off or move while printing in the machine. But because we didn’t add support to the legs, because it was so thin, it broke off
Here it is without the supports. It can definitely look put together after gluing the legs to the body using superglue
The next thing I wanted to print, I wanted it to be functional. And to redeem myself from the past headphone holder I modeled on my own that didn’t turn out the way I wanted, I followed a tutorial to get the best result to what I have in mind.
I used the tutorial as a reference and start the rough sketch by outlining the shape
Then I give the sketch the proper dimension
These are the final dimensions. I made sure the holder can attach to the width of my table since it won’t be adjustable
Exit the sketch and give it a depth by extruding. I made mine 25mm
I fillet the edge that will be the end part of the table to be round
Give it a finished touch by chamfering all the edges to essentially make it safer to use so it’s not sharp and also give it a better final look
And this is how it ends up looking, pretty neat!
To add extra detail, I personalized it by engraving my initials on the top
The next step is to import it to the prusaslicer software to identify whether or not it would need secondary support that can be applied in the software itself and to generally see layer by layer how it will be printed. This is also where you specify which 3D machine you will be using, in my case is the Ultimaker using PLA plastic. Place your design on the square board to set its origin point. Then fix on the filament settings
This is where you get a preview of the slicing to make sure everything is going to print the way it should. It also shows you the estimated time it will take to print the file
It works for both wired or non-wired headhones
Check out the end result below. It made it downloadable on Sketchfab.
3D Scanning¶
The 3D scanner can be used to scan real-world object or environment (in our case, we scanned ourselves) to collect 3D data of its shape and possibly its appearance. Then we can use it to construct digital 3D models.
The app we used is called Skanect. After clicking on ‘Prepare’ and selecting ‘New’ and then ‘Body, we begin the scanning process.
When ready to record 360, click space to start the scan and slowly rotate
After returning to your original position, click on the spacebar again to end the scan
When you’re done, you’re free to move and it will show you a preview of the scan
Evidently, the camera wasn’t able to capture the top of my head but we can fix that under the process tab
Under geometry, click on ‘fill holes’ and choose medium, then run it
But you can tell that it also filled the bottom which looks like water splashes. We can fix that by clicking on wateright under mesh and run again
To get it ready for export and make it a simplified model, remove the color
Export the model to STL and to your preferred settings
And here’s the result!