TZ7
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This is an original robot design of mine that I've been working as a 3D printed project. He's mostly finished other than some minor cosmetic changes. Sketchup has been great for something like this because it's been fairly easy to overhaul parts as I go along.
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What type of 3d printer did you use?
When did you start the project?
and what is your process?This is the best 3d modeling, I seen, made by sketchup so far reported on the forum
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@dukejazz said:
What type of 3d printer did you use?
When did you start the project?
and what is your process?This is the best 3d modeling, I seen, made by sketchup so far reported on the forum
Thanks!
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@dukejazz said:
What type of 3d printer did you use?
When did you start the project?
and what is your process?This is the best 3d modeling, I seen, made by sketchup so far reported on the forum
Sorry some how I missed the top part of your post.
For printing I use imaterialize.com. as a printing service. Specifically I use their "primer gray" material. Prices are the best I've seen for high resolution prints other than owning your own printer. If I was going to buy a printer though I would buy a Form1. I don't know what kind of printers imaterialise uses. I would guess they might use Objet Connex printers for this kind of small stuff?This project has gone throuh phases and has often been on the backburner. I first drew the character about three years ago.
My process is that I have my main working model but I print each piece separately because its an articulated figure with roughly 30 articulation points. I designed the joint system to be able to hold the weight of the figure with correct tension and maximum wearability by using nylon locknuts inset into the joints. The head and hands use ball joints. The hands are also replacable with other weapons. The wings fold and are also removable.
Once I finish a piece I export it as an .stl file. I then use a program called Netfab to check and fix bugs. Roughly 20% of the time when Sketchup says something is solid it still has issues and Netfab is a program made specifically to make printer ready files.
When I receive my parts I sand them and then make silicone molds for resin casting multiples if I plan to sell the parts or figure. If I just need one then I only print it.
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So you have some parts printed already? Do you have some pictures from the real parts? Whats the size of the assemled robot?
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Very cool design, but I am not a personal fan of models shown without at least shadows turned on and the flat lighting makes it hard to grasp the overall vision.
Post pics of the printed model when you can. Would love to see them.
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@cotty said:
So you have some parts printed already? Do you have some pictures from the real parts? Whats the size of the assembled robot?
Height is roughly 21.5 cm.
Here are some printed prototype parts that I did in a low resolution, inexpensive FDM (fused deposition modelling) material that I used for testing balance, weight, joint strength and overall appearance and scale being correct.
I won't print the final pieces in a high resolution material until I am certain that I am satisfied with the 3D model. Making changes on a figure like this often means making changes to other contingent pieces so I don't want to do a final print until everything is ready to go.
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I just realized that there is a section specifically for works in progress which this is definitely a work in progress. Somehow I missed that. I'll post my next update in that section.
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The topic is now in the WIP section...
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This an update showing a comparison of the old and new forearm section (new is on top). The piece that fits into the forearm connects with a neodymium magnet that insets into the back of it (another inset being inside the forearm to fit the second magnet). This detachment is used to fit different weapons using the same magnet idea.
I wasn't happy with the rear portion of the original forearm being fairly simple and looking somewhat toy like with the big red button on the back. Once I got the back finished up I then felt like I needed the bottom portion to have similar style to balance it out. I might still modify the bottom portion a bit, or perhaps just change the color.
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Made a number of smaller changes and mostly finished up the back portion. I'm not 100% happy with the wing design yet. The hinges are relatively large to function correctly as a physical model, but I might make them into a sliding retractable design. Not sure yet. The jet booster/power pack is probably finished other than possible changes in scale.
Three quarter front w/closed wings
Three quarter back w/closed wings
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Oohh very nice!
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Thanks!
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Just a little info update:
I've made a couple of small changes on this in the wing design but the bulk of my time has been going toward writing and drawing a comic book that uses this design as a central character. Going from 3D to 2D is quite a brain bender and I'm not a super fast drawer, but it's slowly coming along. -
A true puzzle!
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Looking good so far, now I'm looking forward to the finished print!
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looking very cool.
cheers!
_KN
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Thanks!
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