~ Dimension! ~

Week3: 3D Scanning and Printing

3D Printing

The test shows that 0.5 mm is the smallest an extrusion width can be, and 0.4 mm is the smallest a hole can be for it to stll exist. The holes are a smaller than the correspennd extrusion of the same height, likely due to the thickness of the extruded material. This reminds me of kerf in lasercutting, but operating oppositely, in the additive direction.

The test piece ran smoothly.
The Sindoh printers were suprisingly simple to use - slice using 3DWOX and export as a .gcode file, then download and plug it into the priter via a USB.
Documenting the documentation of the test.
The actual test.

Failing to Reproduce Fascinating Research

Several Papers on fascinating 3D printing structures involve altering the design's microstructures to create different physical properties:
  • Microstructures to Control Elasticity in 3D Prints
  • Spin-It: Optimizing Moment of Inertia for Spinnable Objects
However, the method by which these researchers apply their algorithms is still obscure and hard for a non-researcher in the field to replicate.

After trying several things, I decided to create a simple hollowed hemisphere with a textured pattern. It cannot be made subtractively since there is a gap of air between the inside and outside parts of the hemisphere, which could be drilled into and filled with say, a glow powder.
semicircle-textured.stl

I did end up using 3D printing in week 5 to make bearings to mount a spinning chromotrope and in my final project for housing the electronics.
Model showing texture
Finish printing.
Attempt at ribbed texture on iside of semisphere, goal to project pattern on the surface.

3D Scanning

I decided the most beginner approachable method for this would be photogrammetry via a mobile app. Unsure at the quality of various apps and dubious about their low user base and low rating, I downloaded 3 apps to test.
  • roomSCAN
  • MeshVideo
  • ARAi
Object 1
Object 2

Singular Success

Trying to scan object 1 of mine, only MeshVideo created an end product I could see. The rest left me on a "loading" screen or crashed...
I found it a bit cool how these photogrammetry apps kept the texture and surface color of the object. I then experimented with rotating the object and keeping the camera still versus the normal method of moving the camera around the object for object 2. It did not end as well, likely due to changing shadows.
Object 1, you can see the surface it is on featured in the 3D model
Another angle of Object 1
Object 2, the flat surface it was on apppears very warped.
Another angle of object 2
Relevant Files:
Bottle.usdz | Mug.usdz