Entry Nine - Printing Intricacy
As I learned how to control the various parameters of the 3D printer, I started designing increasingly more complex structures with fine details. This was challenging because replicating the intricate 3D design as an actual printed part did not always go smoothly. What looked precise and clean in the design file sometimes ended up looking like a tangled web of nylon in the actual physical structure. I learned to play with extrusion speed and temperature to achieve fine details on my prints. Below is one attempt that shows a 3D printed tank. While I was able to get clean print at the top, some of the finer details on the side and front had flaws. It is a skill in progress …
Front of 3D printed tank - flaws visible due to non-optimal extrusion temperature
Side of 3D printed tank - intricate side structure was hard to print reproducibly from the design
Top of 3D printed tank - most successful side of the tank in terms of cleanly reproducing design features.