Tips for scaling down large models
Hi,
I have quite a lot of experience printing things from files and making minor tweaks in slicer software to improve the quality of the printed object. Where my skills lack are on the 3d modeling side of things.
I have taken on a rather ambitious project at work which involves taking full scale STL or STP files of factory equipment, scaling them down to a printable size, and printing scale models.
Scaling the models down is not a problem but as I suspected the walls are too thin to make a good model.
My question is, is there software that's not too difficult to learn that could take an existing .stp or .stl file and tweak various wall thicknesses to make a stronger printed model?
RE: Tips for scaling down large models
If the rendered wall thickness is thinner than the external perimeter extrusion width, Prusa slicer will omit that portion of the model.
you could try reducing the extrusion width of the external perimeters towards 0.4mm Print settings>Advanced
you could try slicing for a smaller nozzle choose a different profile in PLATER You may have to add say 0.25mm nozzle profile from Configuration wizard, or make your own profile.
you could try setting XY Compensation in Print settings>Advanced... to a value larger than zero. say 0.1 or 0.2 mm, this artificially makes the walls thicker
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
NOT a straigtforward task. However, if your firm has the design files, as the .stp (step) file format suggests, then there might be a way.
Talk to your design team. Ask to be given *copies* of the files and access to a *copy* of the in house CAD software that *in no way* interacts with the live files (because your changes would cause chaos). Also ask to be given a short lesson on the edit -> build sequence.
Within the definition section(s) will be the dimensions of all parts/stock, if you are lucky they will be in a shared library that you can edit once for all. Accept that the models are static and will not function and just change the thickness of critical parts to suit before scaling.
If this can be done it will be much quicker than learning third party software, importing and devising workarounds, plus if you hit software difficulties there is likely to be someone in the next office with the appropriate expertise.
Cheerio,
RE: Tips for scaling down large models
I'm not aware of any software that does that automagically. If the outside of the object is all you care about and its innards are not relevant, another option might be to use CAD software to fill in the model.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: Tips for scaling down large models
Thanks for the info. I spent a little time last night in TinkerCad and was able to duplicate my model. It isn't nearly as detailed but will work. Its time for me to start dabbling in 3d modeling more.