3D PRINTING3D PRINTINGTUTORIALTUTORIAL

THE MODEL

ALWAYS JUST ONE SOLID

http://zoltanb.co.uk/tips-and-tricks-on-preparing-complex-models-for-3d-printing/

COMMAND:

BooleanUnion

http://4.rhino3d.com/4/help/commands/booleans.htm

CHECK THE NORMALS

COMMAND:

dir

http://4.rhino3d.com/4/help/commands/curve-surfaceanalysis.htm

ONLY MANIFOLD OBJECTS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifoldhttp://doc.spatial.com/index.php/Manifold_and_Non-manifold_Objects

A SINGLE VERTEX CAN'T BE A PART OF MORE THAN ONE SOLID

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifoldhttp://doc.spatial.com/index.php/Manifold_and_Non-manifold_Objects

AN EDGE CAN DIVIDE ONLY TWO SURFACES

A SURFACE CAN'T BE A PART OF MORE THAN ONE SOLID

DELETE ALL THE VERTICES, EDGES AND SURFACES THAT DON'T BELONG TO ANY SOLID

AVOID NAKED EDGES

http://wiki.daap.uc.edu/groups/infocenter/wiki/354c5/

COMMAND: ShowEdge

http://4.rhino3d.com/4/help/commands/edgeediting.htm

EXPORTING IN STL (WATERTIGHT)

DEFINE THE RESOLUTION FOR THE .STL

EXPORTING THE MESH

In Rhino 3D 5 the important parameters of exportation are the following, the values are suggestions:- max aspect ratio: 6- min edge length: 0,1 (mm)- max distance, edge to surface: 0,1 (mm)- refine mesh: checked- Jagged seems: not-checked- Simple planes: checked

http://wiki.mcneel.com/rhino/meshsettings

COMMAND: Check

http://4.rhino3d.com/4/help/commands/checkrepair-meshes.htm

DESIGN FOR 3D PRINTING (DIY FFF)

FLAT BASE

http://zoltanb.co.uk/tips-and-tricks-on-preparing-complex-models-for-3d-printing/

LIMIT OF 45° FOR UNDERCUTS

http://blog.thingiverse.com/2010/05/18/design-for-no-support-1-45-degree-rule/

HOMOGENEOUS MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

http://technocraticanarchist.blogspot.it/2011/05/solid-prints.html

BRIDGES

http://richrap.blogspot.it/2012/01/slic3r-is-nicer-part-2-filament-and.html

LEARNING FROM MISTAKES

TOO THIN CONNECTING POINTSIf the connecting points between the layers are too small it's possible that there isn't enough surface to make the next layer attach. In this case the extruder easily drags the material of the last layer, creating holes.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/3d-print-failures/pool/

HOLES IN ALMOST FLAT SURFACESWhen the curvature of the surface gets close to horizontal, the connecting surface between one layer and the next is diminished. Below a certain level the filament doesn't attach as it should, and gets dragged away.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eokgnah/8077025349/sizes/l/in/pool-1820557@N22/

REDUCING THE HOLES

It's possible to reduce the defects of the holes by increasing the percentage of filling. This works because the filament has more points on which to attach, and consequently the risk of it not sticking is smaller.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/richrap/6233893718/sizes/l/in/pool-1820557@N22/

JUMPINGIt's possible that a motor “looses steps”. Since the machine can't notice it, it will go on printing even if the levels are no longer aligned.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/3d-print-failures/pool/

DETACHMENTSThere are several reasons for which the layers might detach from each other: too low temperature, wrong extruding speed or just a bad quality filament.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lanthan/6870988541/in/pool-3d-print-failures

DETACHMENTS 2

When printing on a non heated bed using ABS, it's common that the shrinkage of the material detach the piece from its' base. This is causing the piece to deform, expecially on the corners.

http://reprap-art.blogspot.it/2012/09/whiteant-3d-printer-build-full-bed-test.html

STRINGSIt is very common, especially with certain machines, that strings of filament from one piece to another are created during the printing. This depends on the fact that the extrusion of the filament isn't completely interrupted.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13659531@N03/6334203975/sizes/l/in/pool-1820557@N22/

NOT ENOUGH MATERIAL EXTRUDED

If not enough material is being extruded (caused by several different problems, from the SW to the quality of the filament) the result will be irregular and the piece very fragile.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13659531@N03/6334203993/in/pool-3d-print-failures

DISTORTIONS

Often caused by the temperature settings. If the filament doesn't cool off in time for the next passage it risks to be deformed by the extruder.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saltedguy/7294953194/sizes/l/in/pool-1820557@N22/

SUPPORTING MATERIALThe supports allow to obtain complex shapes with accentuated undercuts. Often the supports are made with the same filaments, leaving aesthetic defects on the surface.

http://www.protoparadigm.com/blog/2012/01/printing-with-support-extreme-overhangs/

http://zoltanb.co.uk/tips-and-tricks-on-preparing-complex-models-for-3d-printing/

http://wiki.mcneel.com/rhino/home

http://4.rhino3d.com/4/help/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/3d-print-failures/pool/

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