3D printing

[mtbc]

Earlier this week I went to learn how to use a 3D printer at the library in Perth. I still have to schedule the induction but that can wait until other matters have settled. Initial investigation has already brought encouragement:

• The printer is an Ultimaker 3 driven by Cura software that runs fine on my Void Linux laptop.


• Cura can import STL files that define surfaces simply by tesselating triangles. Given my background in computational geometry, those are something I can comfortably generate.


• As well as printing with PLA plastic the printer can also produce water-soluble structures with PVA to support overhangs mid-print. Cura can generate these supports.


• The printer is available at trivially cheap rates for printing small items.

The concern that now seems most obvious to me is how well a PLA interior rear-view mirror clip for our Fiat Panda would survive repeatedly being in the sun on a hot day. I think that the library also offers printing with nylon which could be a far more suitable choice. Incidentally, they have a 3D scanner also.

Update: The Fiat Panda reached a premature end-of-life before I was able to schedule the induction.

Comments

[goldibehr]

I've heard good things about free software developed by google for 3d design called 'sketchup'. The people I used to work with used it to prototype small custom enclosures for electronics (less than 6 inches on a side.)

[mtbc]

Interesting: one can easily try it out at https://www.sketchup.com/products/sketchup-free