Questions tagged [3d-printing]
The process of creating three-dimensional objects out of plastic or other materials using a device similar to a printer.
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Ideal way to create internal thread for 3d prints
I created a two piece case for an electronics project.
The pieces are joined with M3 screws. The screw enters a 3d printed cylinder.
In order for the screw to secure itself, it connects to a nut I ...
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How to engineer a click from small concentric discs
I am designing a device which clicks when rotated so as to wake up an accelerometer, allowing the device to run on low power and wake to take a reading.
I have access to SLA and FDM 3D printers. When ...
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How to model this object?
I'm trying to make a 3d model of this showerhead holder
I did this STL file using cadquery:
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Designing a tea strainer: What should I do first?
I hate to ask a somewhat broad question, but here I am with no one else to turn to 😅. Specifically, my question is: What should I do first?
Let me explain the context to make my question a little ...
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Tolerances in the manufacture of mechanical parts (plastic)
It is necessary to make an adapter ring for connecting the smartphone to the microscope eyepiece (turn from ABS on a lathe, or 3D printing). Microscope eyepiece diameter is 33mm.
What should be the ...
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Mechanism for turning a thumbwheel potentiometer
I am trying to devise a method (3d printing or injection molding) in order to turn a potentiometer via a thumbwheel mechanism.
Take a look at this picture, from an old commercial product that I am ...
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Reverse engineering a thread
I have a thread in an actual product, that I want to replicate in a 3d print.
I have no clue on what to measure, and how to replicate it.
This is the thread:
One possible solution is this: I have an <...
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Stuck Allen bolt in e3d hotend
I was having bed leveling issues, so I wanted to make sure I had my x axis level. I moved the z axis right to the top so it would align itself. But in the process, I must have ripped the cable clean ...
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I'm wondering if the parts I have ordered to be vacuum casted and made have instead been made using 3D printing
The reason why I'm asking this in the first place is that I have observed striations on the parts I have received.
I was under the impression that vacuum casted parts would not have striations that ...
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How do I calculate the strength to weight ratio of a material
I want to manufacture something using metal 3d printing. And I'm now choosing the material. Stainless steel is stronger but much heavier than aluminum, so I want to calculate which material can ...
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How to design a gear decoupling system?
I'd like to convert my stupid door lock into a smart one.
I already have a gear for the lock knob. Now I'd like to design a gear decoupling system that will be connected between the knob and the motor ...
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When should a bolt and hole be tapped at an angle, if ever, from a structural/strength standpoint?
Assuming the head of a bolt makes proper contact with its surface and clamps properly, and tapping an angled hole is not an issue, when would an angled bolt and hole (relative to the primary surface) ...
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Optimizing fully 3d-printable shaft detent/index mechanism
I am building a vertical-mount deployable tool storage device. Normally, it is in the "locked" position, but when I turn a knob, it becomes unlocked, unfolds, and the tools inside can be ...
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How to stop gear from wiggling despite connected gear being fixed in place?
I have designed and 3D printed a gear system with three gears. Two identical gears at each end with a smaller gear in the center. One of the larger end gears is to be rotated by a stepper motor, the ...
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Why sometimes it is very difficult to tighten the screws when threaded inserts are used?
I designed a part using CAD software to combine it with a mechanical component which already has holes on it. The locations are correct as I have the CAD file for that component from the manufacturer.
...
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Building CAD Models for simulations and 3D Printing
Is there a tool that allows you to make changes to models so that they can be used for both 3D printing and static simulations in SolidWorks. For example, I want to have a part printed and to deal ...
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For a given a molten metal (say copper), how do you determine the best material for a 3D printer flatbed? What about circuit board?
Suppose we had a 3D printer that can spew molten metal out of a 0.1mm hot nozzle and that we can control the heat at the last 5mm of the Tungsten hot nozzle's tip.
I'm wondering then how would you get ...
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How are 2D views from a 3D CAD Model stored in STEP-File with Boundary Representation generate for engineers to define details? And why?
I am new in this topic and need some help. There are 3D CAD models (stored as STEP Files with the boundary representation) and some engineers need 2D views of these models for further processing. With ...
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Solidworks - The protrusion disappears when I enter into sketch mode? What am I doing wrong?
I am fairly new to Solidworks but know basics of it (basic only). The have made a shape (which I have 3D printed as well), but I need to change the dimension of the protrusion now. Here is the design
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How should I split this part into two?
I’ve attached an image of a part I manufacture using 3d printing. I start with gold filament before switching to black mid-way. I’m hoping to simplify production by printing this as two pieces instead ...
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Eject Circuit Board From Jig
I have a jig I am working on that accepts a circuit board. When the lever is pressed I would like the board to be ejected to the left - as shown in the image.
What I am finding is that the board is ...
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Does this CNC machine exist?
About ten years ago I had an idea for a cnc machine that was meant to basically use multiple axis to airbrush finished milled or printed 3d objects. I still have my detail drawings i worked up for it.
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XL timing belt missing Dimension!
I'm trying to design and 3d print a XL pulley. I think there is a missing dimension that I can't find in the spec tables.
we've got pitch circle, teeth height, belt thickness... but I can't find ...
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Achieve mechanically water tight snap-in-place joint
I'm not sure how to ask it but i'll try
I want to 3d-print 2 half spheres with a screw cap that then can be clipped once (can't un-clip later)
And can be filled with water (lets say its food safe, i'...
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Fuzzy texture in soildworks
Is there a way to add a "fuzzy" texture to a body in solidworks?
Something like this:
The purpose - to 3d print a body with a fuzzy surface to get better bonding
Any other ideas to improve ...
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Open 3MF File in another Program With Macro
I made a macro a few months ago to save a .3MF (alternative file format to .STL for 3D printing) which I love, but I'd like Solidworks to Auto-open the 3MF with PrusaSlicer when the file is saved.
Is ...
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How is the table of a 3d printer called?
There is this table, flatbed on the 3d printers. I need such a table which can move up and down, and I firmly believe there are such components on the market, but I can't find anything because I am ...
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Question about tensile test of model from research paper [closed]
In this paper they made a tensile force test on their four different models with four different pore size structure to show that pore size is not affecting on the tensile force. But it seems that they ...
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Mechanical joint that break at specific force
I am designing a joint which I want to break at a specific force. I want to design a 2 parts connected by a joint that breaks when a certain amount of force is applied and thus prevent any damage to ...
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Is there any cost effective static stress simulation for rapid prototyping (FDM / 3D-printing)?
I've been using the static stress simulation (computed locally) which, until recently, has been free with the Personal licence of Fusion 360. Is there a reasonable alternative?
The cost that Autodesk ...
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Calculating Z-axis Torque on a 3-D Printer
I recently built a large CoreXY 3D printer and I am wondering if my 4 z-axis stepper motors combined will have enough torque to accelerate the build plate with a heavy 3d print. During the building to ...
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Why are many compliant mechanisms only flexible in the joints?
I've been playing around with 3D printing some compliant mechanisms, mostly to get precise linear motion, and I've noticed that many commercial compliant mechanisms are often designed like this:
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What are the limits of small 3D printed gears?
How much tangential force should I expect a 10~20mm pitch diameter/1.5mm gear module 3D printed rack and pinion system to support without breaking nor sliding?
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Sizing a spring
I am attempting to 3D print my own Quad lock mount and require a spring. I've taken some measurements but don't know how to search for where I can buy more springs. Dimensions:
12mm height, 20mm OD. ...
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Polypropylene material characterization
I'm trying to make an evaluation of the available 3D printing options of polypropylene and I'm having difficulties comprehending material characteristics that make PP PP-like.
I realize this sounds a ...
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How to calculate the adhesion I need to keep a 3D printed bending part straight?
3D printed parts cool down during printing, resulting in thermal contraction which causes a bending moment and separation from the printing bed.
The issue is solved by increasing adhesion to the ...
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Calculating Gearing Ratio from Constrained Rotational Linear Arc and Horizontally Opposed Rotation
I'm 3D printing an aircraft throttle unit as a POC and am trying to calculate the gearing ratios that are required in order transfer the full range of linear motion into a directionally opposed sensor ...
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Recommendation of different materials for 3D printing flexible parts
I am planning to 3D print this part from solidworks.
I am hoping to achieve a good level of flexibility with the clasps in this part.
Thin circular arc in the Top drawing.
and
Wider circular arc in ...
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How to use mesh as a reference object in Solidworks?
Suppose I want to design some device against a scanned 3D model like eyeglasses. I have imported STL model and drew a reference plane by three points of it.
I can ...
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3D printer printing out cotton-candy like material after repeated use
I recently purchased a JGMaker Magic 3D printer. It worked well for about 3 months [first picture], but now it is having a lot of trouble.
As you can see in the images below, when printing new pieces, ...
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Where can I find technical drawings for computer parts?
I want to 3d print a custom computer case, I have the skillset to do so, however, I do not know where to find the technical drawings required. I need drawings for a 280mm Radiator, an ITX Motherboard, ...
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Small scale manufacturing [closed]
Some background: I am working for an ed-tech startup and we are hoping to release our first product soon but have been hitting a lot of hurdles with our current manufacturing strategy. We want to ...
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Why didn't 3D printing become a standard commodity after around 2012?
Around 2012, you had big news coming out about 3D printing: Things like replacement body parts being produced for about 1% the cost, individuals being able to produce guns off the printer, etc. You ...
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Can wet welding be done in mineral oil?
I'm interested in knowing whether or not submerged welding can be done in fluids other than water, specifically mineral oil in this case. The reason I want to know is that I'm looking into designing ...
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Help understanding this dimension sheet
I am trying to currently model a few parts for my custom 3D Printer. I have found some flanged lead screw nuts i'm going to use, but i'm having a hard time reading the dimension sheet. Specifically, ...
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How do you create a mounting device for a PCB if the PCB's mounting hole positions aren't documented?
I'm trying to create a place for these PCBS to mount onto:
https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Prototype-Soldering-Compatible-Arduino/dp/B072Z7Y19F/ref=pd_cart_vw_crc_1_2/133-3052301-7665733?_encoding=UTF8&...
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3D Printing Models exported to DWG from STL using 3DS Max have missing surfaces
I want to edit some STL projects with Inventor. According Autodesk documentation, since Inventor is not able to edit mesh models, the most practical way without installing other software in my ...
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Is it possible to grayscale a MPO file (3D camera) for a CNC carving
I had/have a 3D camera back in the day, and I gotten a few pictures. I kinda stopped using it since there wasn't anything I could do with the MPO files. However, the camera might gain a new life if I ...
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Drilling PCB 3d printer bed
I need a heated surface for a project and was thinking of using one of these PCB heater beds. But I'd need to drill a few holes in it - can I do this without stopping it working? Thanks
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Difference between perpendicular and transverse loads?
What is the difference between perpendicular and transverse loads? I saw this on a forum for 3d printing, but I couldn't find any online explanations on what the difference between both measures of ...
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