The 3D printing project was a lot of fun and I got to print out a little over 5 of the same impossible object! I really enjoyed the learning process for the different 3D printers and how intuitive all the steps were. Even when things didn’t 3D print exactly to plan, I’m glad I got to understand why.
Printing with PLA (Prusa Printers)
I found my object on thingiverse and thought the spinning layers would be fun. I uploaded my downloaded file to 3dprinteros and had to adjust the size, hoping to fit the capsule. The initial size I had set, 30mm by 30mm, was too small and I messed up the print trying to take the support out cause the print wasn’t too stable.
When I changed the size to 39mm to size 39mm, with the default settings (Layer height = 0.2mm, wall thickness = 1mm, Infill Density = 15, Raft Build Plate), the print was overall slightly better. Although it was loose and seemed like it would fall apart after taking out the supports. I re-tried printing my object with the same settings and it came out a lot better the next few tries so I may have messed up the functionality of the object when taking out the supports. (I got so confused which parts were the supports or the actual object, like should I take out that center part and risk breaking the entire thing??)
I also wanted to print an object with color to make it more clear which part was printed from which printer so I left one of the grey ones that I hadn’t messed up so much. I think the blue PLA pieces came out slightly better, they were a little more smooth and spun better. Best of all, it wasn’t as hard removing it from the support, but maybe I improved after struggling to even figure out what my actual piece is supposed to look like.
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Printing with SLA (Formlab Printers)
I was a bit nervous and hesitant to print with the Formlab printers cause it seemed more intimidating, but Ishaan and Fernando helped walk me through the process. After getting a bunch of warnings in the program, Fernando told me that the hinges probably wouldn’t move in this print and that it was part of the learning process. The Formlab printer was able to print out 2 gooey objects in a little over 1 hour and then I washed it and cured the objects for 15 minutes and in 60°. After curing the objects, I scraped and cut the supports off which was pretty satisfying. I liked how it looked cause it was definitely more sturdy than the PLA print but the hinges were sort of stuck together so it couldn’t spin like predicted.
I’m really glad I was able to do this project and learn to use both printers. Even though the SLA pieces ended up not spinning, I think the learning process was worth the time and I’m happy with the way all the pieces came out. If I did this project again, I would try to adjust the piece so that it could spin or maybe try another piece with the SLA print and I would try to make the PLA pieces more sturdy by possibly increasing the layer height.
(top: SLA, bottom: PLA)
Cost Estimate
Labor (preparing files and cutting off supports): $15/hr x 0.5 = $7.50
PLA printed pieces: $0.30 x 5 = $1.50
SLA printed pieces: $1.50 x 2 = $3.00
PLA printer rent: $1/hr x 5 = $5
SLA printer rent: $3.19/hr x 1 = $3.19
Total: $20.19
