Thread: Making scales on a printer.

Originally Posted by singlewedge

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.

They'd have to be STL or SLC files. I can find out if other formats will work on Monday.

I'm not that familiar with the various CAD softwares -- from what I read from the printer manufacturer's site, it seems that most programs can export to one of those files. We use NX at my company so that's the only one I can vouch for.

EDIT: For singlewedge, claytor and Piet:
http://redeyeondemand.com/CADtoSTL.aspx

There are instructions for setting various CAD programs to save as STL. AutoCAD and SolidWorks are both listed.

There's a Dutch company that prints prototypes and anything else for online customers but they use a different technique. They print the objects out of a box filled with plastic? particles of 0.1mm in size. That can still be nice but not very detailed.

Your printer uses 0.016mm layers which is much better for fine details

I think for a stylish pair of scales autocad is most suited, but if you would like scales with e.g. a gun, science fiction or fantasy theme I can help you out.

Edit: If you print the scales as two sides and a wedge you can easily take a mold from them for casting because of the flat innersides.

I'll take a crack at it in Autocad. It looks like it can export STL files.

It might take a few days.

Wicked cool idea though.

Mark

theyve got these crazy one touch routing machines now, they get fairly detailed. wont yield as finished a product as the machine your talking about..
i knew a guy that had access to one of those back in the day, he was always givin out these crazy dradel type geometric odities with moving parts. his were kinda brittle like macaroni though...
great idea

Originally Posted by 0o.Mark.o0

I'll take a crack at it in Autocad. It looks like it can export STL files.

It might take a few days.

Wicked cool idea though.

Mark

Sweet. Just send me a PM when you have the STL and we'll see what happens.

Originally Posted by The0ctopus

theyve got these crazy one touch routing machines now, they get fairly detailed. wont yield as finished a product as the machine your talking about..
i knew a guy that had access to one of those back in the day, he was always givin out these crazy dradel type geometric odities with moving parts. his were kinda brittle like macaroni though...
great idea

We have an older 3D printer that uses a fine powder and compacts it for the part. It yields a good model but similar to what you've said, if you dropped it or hit it too hard it would crumble. It was kinda like Tylenol.

The new one we have is probably just less than 2 years old and uses an acrylic base. If the parts were sterilized they could actually be implanted. They have printers now that use titanium. Don't think we'll be getting one of those anytime soon, but damn would that be sweet.

Originally Posted by commiecat

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.

Hey What's up????

I am an exoerienced 3D cad modeller. Send me the dimensions from pin to pin... and heel to toe on the blade... I will rock you some scales ready for the Rapid -Pro machine... One catch I want a pair as well.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Archie

Hey What's up????

I am an exoerienced 3D cad modeller. Send me the dimensions from pin to pin... and heel to toe on the blade... I will rock you some scales ready for the Rapid -Pro machine... One catch I want a pair as well.

Cheers

Well this is more of a "I want to see how this turns out" thing, so go ahead and draw up some scales that you could use and I'll see if I can print them out. If you can make it as close to standard then that'd be cool but I honestly don't have any razors right now to put these on. I'd prefer some details that would be difficult to carve/cut by hand just to show off, so go wild. I'll print two pairs -- one for myself and one to mail back to the designer.

Send me a PM when you have a model. I mentioned up-thread that the files need to be in STL or SLC format. This printer is at my workplace so I can't guarantee that I'll print them, but I'd say that it's 95% likely.

Cool......

Hate to bump this but there were several posts about making CAD files, but I never heard back.

So is there anyone else interested? Read the thread for specifics. Basically, if you know CAD and can make some scales, send me either an STL or SLC file and I can print them as a very durable acrylic-based material.

I'd print two pairs, one pair for me to keep and one pair to be mailed back to whoever sends me the file(s).

I'm glad you bumped this; I had not seen it. I may toy around with it this weekend