3. 3D Impression#

Prusa-Slicer#

The software I used to 3D print my model is Prusa-Slicer for arch. It’s a user-friendly and open source software that takes an STL file as input, allows modification of multiple parameters regarding its impression and converts it to GCODE which can then be used in a 3D printer.

Printer#

The printer model used is Original Prusa i3 MK3S & MK3S+ with a nozzle of 0.6.

Instructions concerning the printer#

  • Ensure the printer bed is clean before printing
  • Make sure there is enough filament
  • Take the SD card and put the .gcode file in it

How to replace the filament#

Select the option to replace the filament in the printer. Wait for it to heat. Then insert the filament into the printer until there is a traction.

How to print#

Here are the steps to follow:

  • Import the stl file in Prusa-Slicer
  • Modify the piece by changing the brim, the scale, adding support, …
  • Slice the piece
  • Export the result in the .gcode format
  • Transfer the file to an SD card and then insert it into the printer
  • Select your file on the printer and start printing

Impression of the Beam Half Circle#

I printed the beam half circle model described in the second module using these parameters in Prusa-Slicer.

OpenSCAD Parameters#

circle_radius = 5;
hole_radius = circle_radius*0.8;

distance_btwn_circles = 12;
distance_btwn_pieces = 25;

height = 4;
arc_width = circle_radius*0.2;
arc_height = height*0.4;

Slicing#

Here is what a slicing looks like. We can see the path the printer will follow, the impression time. We can add support if necessary and we can also rescale our piece.

Result#

The piece printed successfully and I could play with it to test its elastic properties. It was not perfect though as the arc was a bit too polygonal.

Assembling Pieces#

The objective was to print the pieces meant to be assembled designed in module 2.

First Try#

With a base_length of 12mm and a base_height of 3mm, here is the result I obtained.

It was decent but did not fit properly. It was also way too small.

Second Try#

The parameters this time were a base_length of 36mm and a base_height of 9mm.

This time the pieces fit properly in a robust way. I learned that printing small pieces accurately can be very challenging. The best way I found to make the pieces fit correctly is to use the same parameter for the two pieces and also to use an error factor of a few millimeters to account for the imprecision of the printer. If it’s still not perfect, the try and error method can be used as a last resort.

I can now technically change the cylinder shape into a more beautiful/complex one to make a handsome statue !

Problems#

Sometimes I would find that my piece is a bit too small or too big despite having good proportions. Instead of overthinking how to modify the parameters in OpenScad, it’s often way easier to adjust the scale directly in Prusa-Slicer.

License#

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0