Preparing a model for 3D printing
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I am going to have a model printed for work tomorrow. I was thinking of honeycombing the interior to cut down on costs.
Does anybody have experience in this, doos and dont's or perhaps a better solution to honeycombing? I am also looking for a UK based 3D printer. I was going to use 3D print UK and I need it turned around in two days if possible.
Thanks
Liam
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Depending on the use of the print that would dictate the innards.
Solid is great if you can spare the money/plastic but do you need it to support something or is it ornamental?
Wall thickness and some spaced support internally might suffice. But it depends on the use.
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Some 3d printers/firms offer the option to add 'holes' to your 'solids'...
Alternatively... depending on what it is you are making, then a simple 'shell' of a reasonable thickness might suffice.
There are several 'shell' tools available - Jim/Thomthom/Me...
My Honeycomber tool can also be used to make a 'shell' if you specify sufficiently large 'holes' [bigger than the object !] or it can also try to add various types of 'honeycombing' - 3/4/6 sided holes in XYZ - large number of permutations - the results should remain 'solid' - note that the original object's complexity might cause issues if you are using it with 'shell' and it has lots of 'thin' parts...
I assume you want a solid 'seen' surface, so you'd use the 'shell' option, otherwise it's swiss-cheese time - which can be interesting but perhaps not what expected...
If it's complex be prepared for it taking a while to process - work on a copy !
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Thanks both
I have found a studio in London who can turn it around by Friday http://www.inition.co.uk/3d-printing-and-scanning-services
They just need it in a STL file format, do we have a plugin I can buy for that.
For ease of use I may just make it solid both because I dont have any time and we just need it printing ASAP.
Cheers
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There are several STL export/import tools - free in the 'Plugins Index' - do a search - also CADspan have one I think...
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Liam,
That printer service should be able to tell the printer to honeycomb the model automatically. My printer doesn't require me to do this. I just pick the honeycomb type and thickness and off it goes.
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@unknownuser said:
They just need it in a STL file format, do we have a plugin I can buy for that.
And of course, there's TIGs obj exporter to blender. Export the STL from this app.
Blender, another swiss army knife.
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