1 Topic by aed

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Topic: Printing large objects

Apologies if this is a silly question - what is the recommended way to go about printing something that is larger than the print surface.

For a simple example, let's say I ultimately wanted to build a 12"x12"x12" cube using the solidoodle which only prints 6"x6". Would the right way be to break up the 12"x12" into eight 6"x6" and then attach them together? If so, what attachment is recommended - should I change the borders of each of the 6x6 so they somehow overlap and then screw them in together? Anything typical used by the 3D community for this?

Let me know your thoughts.

Thank you!
aed

2 Reply by nickythegreek (edited by nickythegreek 2013-03-06 22:13:38)

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Re: Printing large objects

You would probably be better off printing it in 9 3x3's.  You can use acetone to meld the surfaces together.

3 Reply by jon_bondy

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Re: Printing large objects

My experience is that none of the parts that I print are sufficiently precise to allow them to be joined after the fact.  Do a small test run of 2-3 parts before expending a lot of filament.

4 Reply by cmetzel

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Re: Printing large objects

I did this in 6 pieces and got it to join together very crudely with jb weld and some filing.  I designed in some dovetail joints but they were too small to be practical.  I'm used to designing for steel machined components so I'm constantly battling with my experiance to make sure I'm designing for this technology and it's limitations.  I got it to work though, waiting for my wife to get around to painting it and I'll post finished pictures.  Took so long to print I don't think I'd do it again, haha

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/1078/lic … der-6-pcs/

5 Reply by aed

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Re: Printing large objects

nickythegreek wrote:

You would probably be better off printing it in 9 3x3's.  You can use acetone to meld the surfaces together.

Hi Nicky - can you explain to me why that is better? Is it because of error/deviations in printing a 6x6?

Thanks
aed

6 Reply by aed

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Re: Printing large objects

jon_bondy wrote:

My experience is that none of the parts that I print are sufficiently precise to allow them to be joined after the fact.  Do a small test run of 2-3 parts before expending a lot of filament.

Thanks Jon. Most of the pieces I print are also not entirely accurate so what you're saying makes sense.

7 Reply by aed

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Re: Printing large objects

cmetzel wrote:

I did this in 6 pieces and got it to join together very crudely with jb weld and some filing.  I designed in some dovetail joints but they were too small to be practical.  I'm used to designing for steel machined components so I'm constantly battling with my experiance to make sure I'm designing for this technology and it's limitations.  I got it to work though, waiting for my wife to get around to painting it and I'll post finished pictures.  Took so long to print I don't think I'd do it again, haha

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/1078/lic … der-6-pcs/

Thanks cmetzel, looks cool and would love to see those pics!

When you printed the dovetail joints, did they actually "fit" together after coming out of the printer or were they of slightly different sizes making it less robust?

8 Reply by nickythegreek

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Re: Printing large objects

aed, getting a full 6 inch x 6inch cube without warp would seem like a work of magic.  I meant to say print 9 4 inch cubes.  As getting a quality 4inch should be much more attainable.

9 Reply by aed

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Re: Printing large objects

OK makes sense. Unfortunately it's more like 27 4x4x4 to get one 12x12x12 sad

10 Reply by nickythegreek

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Re: Printing large objects

it's amazing I made it this far with this horrible math brain.

11 Reply by aed

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Re: Printing large objects

One more question: would using PLA reduce warping? Is that something I can just plug into the extruder like I do ABS?

12 Reply by cmetzel

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Re: Printing large objects

I printed my license plate holder with support on the underside so that the top would be consistent facing outward.  Unfortunately the dovetails were buried in the support material and cleaning them was a mess of filing and sanding.  They never really fit well only basically used them for lineup for the gluing and clamping.  If they were on a little larger of a part and bigger than 1/4" they would have worked well I'm sure.  I've gotten other things to fit male to female quite nicely. 

Search for PLA and read about it on Ian's blog.  PLA would reduce warping but if you have an enlcosed build environment and use hairspray you shouldn't warp.

13 Reply by helagak (edited by helagak 2013-03-07 15:58:41)

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Re: Printing large objects

aed wrote:

OK makes sense. Unfortunately it's more like 27 4x4x4 to get one 12x12x12 sad

really youd only need 26. no need for the center cube. :-P

still that would be the worst way to try and make a 12x12x12 cube! you'd be better off creating the 6 faces and gluing them together. as with any manufacturing process, you have to work within the strengths and weaknesses of your tools.
(i understand, you still cant make a 12x12 face. so they would have to be cut up to. so something like 4 6x6 pieces. so that would still take 24 prints...)