Thread: 3D printed Scales or using Sugru

Has anyone experimented with 3D printed scales, or building / shaping scales with Sugru?

I have seen posts about creating from wood etc, but didnt see anything about 3d printed.

Andrew

I saw a post on another forum about a 3D printed brush handle. I think you may get a better product with mechanical or laser CNC. In fact, I'm suprised no one has started making custom/personalized scales to order using that technology.

PS: May I ask what Sugru is?

Originally Posted by MattCB

May I ask what Sugru is?

Sugru is a brand name for a product that is basically silicone caulk + corn starch. It allows you to mold thick single layer silicone parts, take a look at the projects on Instructables.com that mention Sugru.

Jonathan

Sugru is some sort of mouldable silicone rubber, that sets to its shape, and is very hardy, grippy and easily cleaned.
*** sugru.com***

Would this be a viable material for scales?

I really dont know, I assume one wouldnt build the entire scales from it, but perhaps a basic scale-blank, with the sugru moulded over it to give texture, grip etc.

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

I really dont know, I assume one wouldnt build the entire scales from it, but perhaps a basic scale-bank, with the sugru moulded over it to give texture, grip etc.

Hummm....

I mean from what little I know I can't see why it wouldn't work for the FULL scales.
They make scales out of a lot of stuff...
Just wondering if this would hold up in the long run?

I will have to do a little more research on this now...

I think it's a cool idea but the plastic is really cheap when horn and wood are more luxurious... Maybe a water jet cut scales would be cool

Up until recently I had access to a professional level, OBJET 3D printer (a machine that was partly owned by Weta Workshop and used by them to make models for 'The Lord of The Rings' and various other projects) - the effort required to model a part, print it and post-process it (most things still have visible ridges where the layers are deposited, even with a micron-accurate machine such as this) would make anything but the most elaborate, decorated scales not worthy of the time and money. Making a mould for casting in another material would be the best application, as already suggested.