For out sixth assignment, the 3D printing, we had to print a 3 dimensional object that had the following characteristics:
- It can be printed using any of the 3D printers in the OEDK;
- It has to fit a 3x3x3 inches cube;
- It must be able to be manufactured using a 3D printer only;
- It should include interlocking parts, moving parts, embedded geometries, complex surfaces, etc.
Therefore, the project would be decided in two parts:
- Find an object to print using Thingiverse then modify it to print;
- Produce your object with 3D printing.
On this post I am gonna describe all the steps I took to print my object!
- Finding an object:
Finding an object wasn’t very difficult, the real problem was choosing one among the incredible possibilities I had. After some search I decided to print a Pentagonal Torus Knot, and just by reading its name you can realize that its a one-piece knot where you can see a pentagon / star when looking perpendicularly to it.
On the website I could find two files, one with support and one without. After reading the printers manual I realized that I didn’t need the file with the support because the softwares used create a support.
2. 3D printing the object:
To printing the knot, I decided to use the 3 big printers in the Wet Lab and compare the results:
(i) Fortus 250mc:
This printer is a FDM technology and uses ABS plastic as printing material and only allows one different property per print. The support printed with it is soluble in sodium hydroxide bath (NaOH).
After using the Insight software, I could resize my piece, so its biggest dimension would have 3 inches and print it:
After removing the object form the support I left it in the bath for a couple hours and then with a toothpick I removed the defects. This is the final result:
The layers are very visible and, in my opinion, its a very rough print and I was not satisfied. So I deiced to use a better printer…
This is the pdf file with the instructions I used to print using the Fortus: Forts Training Module
(ii) Dimension SST 768:
Just like the previous one, this printer is a FDM technology and uses ABS plastic as printing material and only allows one different property per print. The support printed with it is soluble in sodium hydroxide bath (NaOH).
After using the CatalystEX software, I could resize my piece, so its biggest dimension would have 3 inches and print it:
After removing the object form the support I left it in the bath for a couple hours but this time I didn’t have to post process it. This is the final result:
This is a much higher quality printing and I was very satisfied with it. After printing two rigid models, I decided that I wanted a soft / rubbery one. So I moved on to the next printer…
This is the pdf file with the instructions I used to print using the Dimension: Dimension Training Module
(iii) Connex Objet 260:
This printer is a Polyjet technology and uses several Photopolymers as printing materials and allows 14 different properties per print. The support printed with it is removable with WaterJet.
After using the Objet Studio software, I could resize my piece, so its biggest dimension would have 3 inches, select the material used (The would give me a decent malleability) and print it:
Unfortunately I made this over night and when I got to the OEDK by the morning a Lad Assistant had already finished it…
Its an excellent quality printing, in my opinion it doesn’t even look like it was 3D printed. It seems like someone glued a rubber string in that shape.
Here is a short video showing the malleability of the model:
This is the pdf file with the instructions I used to print using the Dimension: Objet Training Module
In conclusion, I can say that this was a very gratifying assignment and I am really happy fir my first ever 3D printed pieces!
I hope you have liked my final product and I see you on next post!
