This week's design involved 3d printing a complex geometry. I experimented with
fractal geometries emerging from simple rules.
Sample of rule used
I used Rhino and Grasshopper to produce a variety of geometries based on the rule.
Variations of design
Final Design
I decided to use the Z-Corp 3d printer to print this design due to its really fine detail.
However...
The excavation of the print from the powder was going surprisingly well.
However, the geometry was hollow at the center and filled with powder which pushed
the walls. The external supporting structure could not withstand the pressure and at
some point it crumbled apart. Bottom line, don't use the Z-Corp except if you have
a very solid model, and maybe not even then...
After the failure of the first design I decided to use the Maker Bot which produces
more rigid prints. However, having used it in the past I was aware of how hard is
to break the supporting material when having an intricate design. Therefore I produced
a simpler design based on the same rule.
Second Design
3d printed result
The result seemed pretty good this time. However, my fears about the
supporting material were true...
After a lot of effort in breaking the supports, the final result was pretty good.
I experimented with 123Catch and I created a 3d model of me.
