Book Image

3D Printing Blueprints

By : Joe Larson
Book Image

3D Printing Blueprints

By: Joe Larson

Overview of this book

A new industrial age is here. Machines designed to build useful and interesting objects have moved from the factory to the home. Whether you have a 3D printer or not, learning how to design your first 3D models is the best way to become part of the 3D printing movement. 3D Printing Blueprints will teach you, step by step, the tools and techniques of using Blender, a free 3D modelling program, to build 3D models for printing with simple and fun hands-on projects.3D Printing Blueprints uses engaging and fun projects that teach Blender modeling for 3D printing through hands-on lessons. First you'll learn basic modeling and make a small simple object. Then each new project brings with it new tools and techniques as well as teaching the rules of 3D printing design. Eventually you'll be building objects designed to repair or replace everyday objects. Finally you'll be able to even tackle other people's models and fix them to be 3D printable. Through the course of doing the blueprints you will custom build one-of-a-kind objects that you can call your own. Starting from a custom vase formed from a picture, lessons will progress to a multi-part modular robot toy. Then simple machines will be designed with custom gears and functions. Eventually you'll learn how to download models from the Internet and make custom objects. Finally you'll be able to build models with near real life specifications and make a print that can be used for small object repair. 3D Printing Blueprints will teach you everything you need to know about building custom 3D models to print successfully on modern home 3D printers.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
3D Printing Blueprints
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Taking measurements


This would be a very simple build using the tools taught in previous chapters. So this set of instructions will focus on using a different paradigm of designing. In this build, the Apply button in the modifiers will not be used so that the object remains modifiable until the end. This technique works well for simple shapes but can be a problem when the geometry of the model becomes increasingly complex.

Before opening Blender, some measurements must be gathered. Careful measurements need to be taken of the finger that the ring will be on and of the SD card. A digital caliper is an excellent tool to take measurements with:

My middle finger measures 19.3mm at the widest point. If a digital caliper is not available, another way to measure a finger is to wrap a piece of paper around the finger, mark where it overlaps, and use a ruler to find your finger's circumference. Then consult the next chart to find out the standard ring size and diameter:

Circumference (mm)

Circumference...