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Common 3D printed pieces

ravelox

It would be great if Ben could spend some time focusing on 3D printed part desgin in the same style as the soldering or battery/power episodes.

 

My problem is that I have a 3D printer that I'm learning to use in conjunction with 3D design software. I know the kinds of things I want to print: hinges, joints, tabs/slots for a case but I'm not sure on what the design requirements are for each object. ( Also, I don't know what the real names are for each object image ) For example, if I wanted print a ball joint, and the ball part is X diameter, what design gotcha is there for the "cup" part. That is, how big should it be in relation to the ball part. Similarly for tabs and slots, what do I need to know about designing something that clips together. And as for hinges....

 

Thanks for listening. I alway enjoy the show and have learned so much since I started.

 

Dave

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  • I can tell you right now that Ben struggles with the same problems. When making custom parts that have to fit together or fit to a certain spec, he frequently ends up printing multiple iterations with small changes in size and shape between prints. (See the Hot-pocketlypse episode. Soooo many versions to match the curve of the controller.) Which material being used to print can be a factor as 3D print materials have different properties when it comes to being heated and cooled. PLA and ABS shrink differently, so printing the exact same part with the 2 different materials could yield different results. Often, you have to just print what you think is right, try it out, measure and make changes in the design, print again, and hope that this time it comes out right.

     

    I believe in an upcoming episode we are planning on going into a little more detail about the design process and what factors should be considered when designing for 2D and 3D, using laser cutters, routers, and 3D printers.

     

    Let me know if you have any specific questions you'd like answered. Maybe we can work it into that episode!

     

    ~Karen

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  • I can tell you right now that Ben struggles with the same problems. When making custom parts that have to fit together or fit to a certain spec, he frequently ends up printing multiple iterations with small changes in size and shape between prints. (See the Hot-pocketlypse episode. Soooo many versions to match the curve of the controller.) Which material being used to print can be a factor as 3D print materials have different properties when it comes to being heated and cooled. PLA and ABS shrink differently, so printing the exact same part with the 2 different materials could yield different results. Often, you have to just print what you think is right, try it out, measure and make changes in the design, print again, and hope that this time it comes out right.

     

    I believe in an upcoming episode we are planning on going into a little more detail about the design process and what factors should be considered when designing for 2D and 3D, using laser cutters, routers, and 3D printers.

     

    Let me know if you have any specific questions you'd like answered. Maybe we can work it into that episode!

     

    ~Karen

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