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

Making the connector


Start a new blender project, clear the workspace, and save the file. Create a new directory under the Makerbot Blueprints directory in Documents called Ch 5 Robot Toy. Enter the directory and save this file as Peg.blend.

Tip

Instead of designing everything in one file in this project, multiple files will be generated. This is a good way to keep parts organized, and keep the outliner from being overrun with objects. This is especially a good idea when the parts being designed might be reusable in future projects.

  1. Add (Shift + A) a Cylinder to the scene. Change the cylinder's Radius to 3.5 to bring it to a total diameter of 7mm.

  2. In the Properties pane under the Object tab change the name of the cylinder to PegBody.

  3. Rotate (R) the PegBody around the y axis (Y) 90 degrees.

    Tip

    If the rotation is accomplished with the key sequence R, Y then type 90 and press Enter to end the rotation action, it doesn't matter what view it is done in, the result will always be the same.

  4. In the Front...