Thread: Making scales on a printer.

I have access to a 3D printer at my work and I'm fairly certain that I could arrange use of it for personal items on occasion. My question is simple; could somebody here design some scales in CAD software?

The printer can get create models that are very intricate. If your design has raised lettering, recessed lettering, spikes, tentacles, whatever, it will get printed. The models are rock solid and can withstand a good amount of impact.

Here's the material it will be made of:
FullCure720 Transparent Materials - Objet Geometries

So if anybody wants to send me some CAD drawings (STL or SLC files) I'd really appreciate it. If all goes well I would print two pairs and mail one back to whoever designed them.

Is this like one of those rapid prototyping machines.. sounds like a cool idea

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

Is this like one of those rapid prototyping machines.. sounds like a cool idea

Yeah it's pretty slick, too. Unfortunately I don't know how to do anything in CAD. I guess if nobody chimes in I could always bring a razor in to one of our engineers and see if they'd design it. But that's boring -- I want creative shavers!

Damn, if only I knew/had CAD...

Well drats. I guess I can take a drawing and have someone at work design it in CAD. Then I can post it in the help files.

I thought of an additional question; would there be any reason not to create the scales as one piece? Meaning that the spacer would not be a separate piece and you'd only need one pin where the blade swives.

EDIT: Philadelph and any other scale makers; if you give me a PDF drawing of some ideas and include the dimensions, I might be able to use that.

I'm not too bad at designing in 3dsMax.

I've done some work in CAD but it's been a little while. Let me see if I can "acquire" a copy to "practice" on and maybe I can mock something up for you. I'll let you know progress. I also have friends who are proficient who would help.

Concerning the uniscale, I know one the concerns is flex and strain on the wedge and pivot point. If the material being used is flexible enough to be under the constant pressure than one would be fine. I'm thinking, if you can, make one design and make it a two piece and a one piece. It'd be easy enough in CAD.

That would be so useful for making prototypes
and casting a silicone mold from those.

I can work in autocad have been for 8+ years.

What type of files does the system recognize?

I also have to find my copy since I migrated to a MAC i got rid of my PC software.

I can get trial softwares of CAD software for MAC which are easy to use.

I just need to know what extensions and files the system uses.

Awesome Idea.

Originally Posted by 0livia

That would be so useful for making prototypes
and casting a silicone mold from those.

That's exactly why we have the printer in the first place. I work I.T. for a medical device manufacturer, and it's much cheaper in the long run to test out implants and surgical tools with the acrylic rather than going through the whole machining process.

The engineers that use it have a few novelty items they've printed -- the coolest being some sweet chess pieces. The rook is about normal size (say the size of your thumb for reference) and has the brickwork recessed, a small doorway, a spiral staircase with steps, and a crazy-small double helix down the center for support.

I figure why not load up some scales and see how it goes. I got a PM about it today so we'll see!