3D Printing "the Details"

[Getter 1]

Originally Posted by Skylane_182

That's to bad, My libraries website hints at the fact it may not remain a free service. I figure it can't hurt to try while it's free!

Hey another one of us in Spokane.
I tired to upload some models into their site but it failed to complete.
Have you had any luck with them?

G1

[willygoat]

I have a 3D printer in my classroom and I love it! My architecture students can design smaller detail parts to add to their building models, or liek a couple just did, print the whole building! I've made a set of doors, windows, railings and stairs in common scales that they build in so that they don't have to try and make those details out of cardboard or foam board. As much as I like to do those things, they are not skilled enough with the knife yet. Plus, it saves them time in the end.

[Skylane_182]

Originally Posted by Getter 1

Hey another one of us in Spokane.
I tired to upload some models into their site but it failed to complete.
Have you had any luck with them?

G1

I'm in the valley and have uploaded a simple model just to test this process. Uploaded no problem (.STL file). The site says it could take up to 7 days...so I am patiently waiting..

I'll keep everyone updated!

[micael]

looking at this 3d printing i see a lot of great ideas and topics of conversation. but does anyone know if you can print out clothes?

[wagnmkr]

I have had a 3d printer for about 18 months and used it quite a bit. It is a filament printer, not a resin printer like Shapeways uses.

In my opinion, the filament printers would not be worth the trouble of learning the drawing software and the printer and printing wee things. It would be ok for boat hulls covered with paper, but for super small scale railings etc., I just don't think it would work that well.

The problem I find is the time spent post processing the print and trying to get the surface smooth.

Toolholders for the shop, some aquarium parts, part holding jigs for the mill or lathe, parts for a spinning wheel all work fine, but small, round stuff ... no. I play with large size r/c tug boats and even there I won't use it. Much faster, and sturdier to use brass and solder for fittings.

Tom

[BARX2]

I'm thinking of making some aircraft wheel door extenders (look like shock absorbers). I'll print them vertically so they should come out clean. I'll post pictures when I make them.

[Texman]

Originally Posted by BARX2

I'm thinking of making some aircraft wheel door extenders (look like shock absorbers). I'll print them vertically so they should come out clean. I'll post pictures when I make them.

They are called actuators.

[BARX2]

I just tried to print some small cylinders on the 3D printer and they look terrible. The thinner one is 1mm and the thicker is 2mm. So then I wrapped some 24 pound paper around a very thin wire and the results were far better.

[Knife]

I think wheels are where 3D printing would be most useful. Cylinders are relatively easy to make with paper but paper wheels always look out of place on a well designed model. It's what people will first notice is "wrong" with a paper model.

[BARX2]

The same thing occurred to me. My last aircraft model I made the wheels out of disks of cardboard stacked together. That looks really good. I didn't sand the edges because the lines of the cardboard disks looks like tire tread. But a smooth wheel with rounded sides really looks nice. I'm looking for wheels on Thingverse.