Tag Archives: MeshMixer

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Initial prototypes and Designing

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Bust

Last week, I was not able to create my 3D Printed bust but I was able to do so this week! A classmate took a scan of myself that I uploaded onto Meshmixer. The original scan had some creaks and empty spaces but Meshmixer did a great job editing the scan. I was able to close the STL file by simply selecting a function called Make Solid and Close Cracks. Afterwards, I exported the file and opened it in Cura. The file was to small to be seen so I then selected all and scaled the item up (10000). After making some other edits in Cura, I then began the 3d printing process. In total, by bust took 45 minutes to print and I am thrilled with the results!

FaceBack
Project: Hydroponic Vertical Garden

This weeks class was mainly devoted on creating the initial prototypes of our final project. My part in the project is to create a voronoi patterned bottle holder to fit a 2 liter as well as drip nozzles.  I spent most of the weekend researching this history of voronoi diagrams and the results of my findings can be found in my last blog.

https://publish.illinois.edu/digitalmaking2018/2018/04/09/once-a-semester-project-voronoi-pattern/ 

I went to the FabLab in hopes of finding someone skilled in Meshmixer to help me with parts I found difficult, but the students there were more familiar with other softwares. Thus, I went to Youtube and found great tutorials! After familiarizing myself with Meshmixer, I really enjoyed working with the software and created a wonderful bottle cage that I initially felt apprehensive about.

Bottle Cage

I was able to print the drip nozzle and the bottle cage. The drip nozzle was printed in less than an hour. Whereas, the bottle cage holder took nearly 20 hours to print! Initially, our team 3Dream wanted to have 8 plants but after taking into consideration how long it takes to print one bottle cage holder, we will now print 4 of them and 4 drip nozzles.

Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog and see you next week!

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3D Scanning

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This week, our class learned the basics of 3D scanning and I realized how there is no longer a limitation of representing 3D in 2D.

Why is 3D Scanning important

3D Scanning can be used when it is difficult to model an object, adding  or fixing items that already exist (eg. Alma Matter), and in aiding to preserve items.  Museums are using the scanning to preserve old artifacts and to make the print look like the original for an exhibit! Additionally, it allows for a documentation and preservation analysis that were not available before. Researchers can get a much better understanding of the historic artifact using this technology.

Check out the link below to see what the University of Iowa is doing to preserve artifacts with 3D scanning:

https://archaeology.uiowa.edu/preserving-artifacts-3d-scanning-blumberg%E2%80%99s-unusual-iowa-celt

Scanning in class

After learning the basics of 3D Scanning, some of my classmates were able to make a 3D printed bust of themselves! They did that by having another classmate take a scan of them from an iPad that had an attachment. I am not quite sure what the attachment was but I believe it was a structure sensor which is essentially a strip of cameras and sensors you strap to your iPad that can be used to scan, measure, and project things into the world around you.

Ipad

Afterwards, there are a couple more steps before the busts can be created and MeshMixer was the new modeling software  introduced to assist us with the project.  MeshMixer is a prototype design tool based on high-resolution dynamic triangle meshes and is a part of Fusion 360. We are primarily using this software to clean up our 3D scan if needed. Next week, when I am able to create my bust, I will go into the steps and processes required to make a personalized bust! I am very excited to get to do this project and enhance my skillset in this field.