From CADjs to 3-D Printing

Area & Volume g = cube(1); g.display(); Area? Volume? g = cube(1); g.display(); g.info();

Area & Volume g = cube(1).difference(cube(2,0.5,0.5)) Area? Volume? g.info();

Area & Volume g = cylinder(1,2); Area? Volume? g.info(); g = cylinder(1,2,64).info();

Export as *.stl file Check size of model 3d Printers ~ mm (typical) Scale if necessary Save stl test.info(); test.scale(10); test.saveSTL()

Open.stl file

Read STL file into 3D Printer Software Every 3D printer comes with software to read.stl file

Import.stl file XYZware window- import *.stl file

Load model

Resize to fit printer

View Your Model A.view B.rotate C.rotate D.scale

Print

3-D Printing Boolean Operations

Boolean Subtraction How would you make this object?

Boolean Subtraction g1 = cube(1); g2 = cube(1,0.5,0.5); g2 = g2.translateZ(0.25); g1.display(); g2.displayTransparent(); g1 = cube(1); g2 = cube(1,0.5,0.5); g2 = g2.translateZ(0.25); g1 = g1.difference(g2); g1.display();

Potential Problem Sliver! Small computation errors can result in slivers!

Easy Solution g1 = cube(1); g2 = cube(1.2,0.5,0.6); g2 = g2.translateZ(0.3); g1.display(); g2.displayTransparent(); Go past boundary on subtraction! g1 = cube(1); g2 = cube(1.2,0.5,0.6); g2 = g2.translateZ(0.3); g1 = g1.difference(g2); g1.display(); No slivers possible!

Boolean Addition Approach: Create two solids touching each other and union How to design? g1 = cube(1); g2 = cube(1,0.5,0.5); g2 = g2.translateZ(0.75); g1 = g1.union(g2); g1.display();

Boolean Addition Problem! Gap!

Easy Solution Overlap for union! No gaps possible!

3-D Printing Display and Saving

Display When printing your final project there must only be 1 display. Find the display functions used. Project=Person.union(Legs); Project.display(); Union the objects used in your final project and display *Reminder: Multiple displays can be helpful for debugging, but must be removed when project is complete

Saving Saving Code: Saving STL: (F1) Only saves the text and can be edited in notpad saveSTL() Often the file is sent to the downloads folder.stl files SHOULD NOT be edited after saving

3-D Printing Printer Limitations

Print Direction Layer by layer Oops! Dripping! Solution? No ‘dripping’

Print Direction Drip? Solution? Choose your print direction carefully!

Print Direction Direction? Drips in all direction! Pick any direction 3D Printer will add support structures

Support Structures

Practical Aspects of 3D Printing #1: Design part to avoid support structures #2: Pick print direction with minimal support structures

Cost of 3D Printing What is the cost of printing? Low quality: $0.30 per cm^3 Medium quality: $2.00 per cm^3 High quality: $10.00 per cm^3 PlasticMetal $10.00 ~ $ per cm^3 Typical Lego Piece: $ Setup cost

Practical Aspects of 3D Printing #1 Design part to avoid support structures #2 Pick print direction with minimal support structures #3 Reduce material usage

Printing Resolution CoarseMediumFine Printers can be set at different resolution Finer resolutions take more time & cost more!

Practical Aspects of 3D Printing #1 Design part to avoid support structures #2 Pick print direction with minimal support structures #3 Reduce material usage #4 Avoid thin regions