Thread: Making scales on a printer.

How will you convert dwg/dgn or dxf extension to slc/stl?

I can dabble a little of 3D in autocad. Wouldn't be too much trouble to extrude something in 2d.

Originally Posted by davik

How will you convert dwg/dgn or dxf extension to slc/stl?

I can dabble a little of 3D in autocad. Wouldn't be too much trouble to extrude something in 2d.

Well I'm not exactly familiar with the various CAD programs. Our engineers use NX which I can troubleshoot on a basic level, but I've no idea how to create a model in it.

AutoCAD can save files as STL so conversion would be done in the application:
Rapid Prototyping & Direct Digital Manufacturing - RedEye - CAD-to-STL

They have to be 3D for this experiment as the printer will create the actual scales in an acrylic. If you feel like having a go then PM me with the STL files.

Originally Posted by commiecat

Well I'm not exactly familiar with the various CAD programs. Our engineers use NX which I can troubleshoot on a basic level, but I've no idea how to create a model in it.

AutoCAD can save files as STL so conversion would be done in the application:
Rapid Prototyping & Direct Digital Manufacturing - RedEye - CAD-to-STL

They have to be 3D for this experiment as the printer will create the actual scales in an acrylic. If you feel like having a go then PM me with the STL files.

I tried sending a PM but I must have done something wrong because that message is not in the sent folder.

I'll just post the links here.

mediafire link to stl file:razor3.stl

Unfortunately I can't upload a preview jpg from work because of a stupid firewall. If you want a preview of the scales, I'll upload it later.

*note: the slot for tha blade is two milimeters wide, I'm hoping the material used is flexible enough.

Originally Posted by davik

I tried sending a PM but I must have done something wrong because that message is not in the sent folder.

I'll just post the links here.

mediafire link to stl file:razor3.stl

Unfortunately I can't upload a preview jpg from work because of a stupid firewall. If you want a preview of the scales, I'll upload it later.

*note: the slot for tha blade is two milimeters wide, I'm hoping the material used is flexible enough.

I got the PM and just sent you a response. They have the file loaded but the printer operater wanted to confirm the length first because he's seeing it at around a foot long. That'd be a killer blade.

Okay, so I'm terribly impatient and the shop guys seemed bored so I had the scales printed out despite the discrepancy in scale. That's right, I used the word scale twice in that sentence with completely different meanings.

As expected it was way too large but I hope you can at least see what this thing does and the potential it has if painting could be done right. I told the guys that it would be too large so they printed up some smaller ones, which were all too small for a razor but look awfully cute.







Those are all single pieces. Not to sound picky, but I'd actually prefer two scales without a connecting piece. Even with the larger size, the bowing seems to be a bit much.

What do you guys think about painting them? Like, how to paint them, types of paint to use, etc. The model material absorbs paint.

Krylon makes a Fusion product that would be worth a shot. Since it's applying to plastic it'd have to bond to it.

I've reduced its length. The problem was that the drawing units were set to inches, and I used metrics units as reference - such a newbie mistake.

I can see the potential to make unique scales, such as adding a text relief or to puncture intricate patterns... depending on how precise that printer can be...

Here's what I've done to it.

Feel free to correct me in any way in any way, or even sketch something that I'll try to reproduce.

Originally Posted by davik

I can see the potential to make unique scales, such as adding a text relief or to puncture intricate patterns... depending on how precise that printer can be...

Yes yes yes! Do text relief or add texture or crazy spikes or something -- no point in using the printer for the kind of stuff you can just cut out of a plexiglass sheet.

From the manufacturer's site:
PolyJet™ technology enables horizontal layers of just 16-micron (0.0006"), exceptionally fine details, and ultra-thin walls down to 0.1-0.3mm typical (accuracy varies according to the geometry, part orientation and print size).

It's both accurate and intricate. If you're taking requests then I'll say that I adore some of Max and Philadelph's designs. Not to mooch off their creativity, but check out some of the more unique synthetic scale designs here for inspiration:
Custom Vintage Straight Restore Gallery : Acrylics & Synthetics

And Philadelph has a few here:
Straight Razor Place Forums - Philadelph's Album: My Keepers

So if you're up for modifying the file more, go for it -- or send me the file for the new drawing you did and I'll print it out.

I'll put my back into it this weekend then.

It's terrible, I've done the model but failed to convert it into one solid object.
The only thing left was to join the thin layer of texture to the razor scales. My idea was to make a texture similar to snake scales, and apply it to the model, but it refuses to fuse them - something about non aligned vertices. I'm not expericenced enough to work it out.

You can print the stl file I made, though without the snake scales they're just uninspired.

If anyone can help, please do. Here's the dwg and stl

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