What can I do to get this to print? (Page 1 of 2)

Can you upload a fixed stl?  Unable to open it and shows it's only 27 bytes.

SketchUp file is in newer version

Here's also some pics of it for those that don't want to bother with the stl/skp

Don't see how you could print this without any support.  You may have to send this out of house to get printed. Some place like shapeways or similar.

This model will take some work before you can print it reliably, especially with those two tabs on the bottom. As you gain experience you will learn how to design with printability in mind. For this model i would suggest looking into Meshmixer. There you can do custom support only in the areas where you need it. Attached is an example I threw together in Meshmixer. I wouldn't try to print this without re-doing the support with smaller and more strategically placed columns, but this will give you an idea of what you can do with it. If you decide to go that route one tip would be to first scale the model down within Meshmixer. Anything full size will eat up memory and CPU like you wouldn't believe.

needed minor repair in netfab also. but if you dont need the 2 bolsters on flat side that would be best side to have down then very little support needed for the 2 screw eyes. make support thin and linear for easier cleanup.

Mitch

I have successfully separated the nose piece and redesigned a few components so I didn't need the protrusions on the bottom. All that is left to be concerned about I think are the eye mounts that stick out. I may need to cut those out as well since the important detail is also facing down though I didn't have much trouble with that part printing.

If it doesn't work, then I will look into pullling the whole front off and make that a separate piece.

I think I am getting the hang of it now. Really want to try out Meshmixer. Might have to dig out a laptop with Windows 7 on it.

And thank you for repairing it, but I have netfabb as well. The things that needed repaired had no effect on the printability. They were simply some reversed faces because I had repaired solids from the inside in those areas (sketchup does some really wierd stuff with attaching lines and faces that make no sense and is not consistent.) Those areas printed just fine already. What I was having a hard time getting to print was the nose piece (would completely fall apart even with supports), those side pieces (warping), and the eye hinges (overhanging things.)

Supports didn't help or I wouldn't have come asking for advice. I think they might have if I had a cooling fan, perhaps. But there is a lot of sagging even with extrusion turned down to 60% and temps as low as I can make them without the extruder clicking. I have tried in both ABS and PLA so far. I am getting close, but still having issues getting those overhangs to print.

Also, of course the goal is for me to learn what to do because there will need to be iterations of this and I doubt I can come and ask for people to repair it for me every time. But, I do thank you very much for helping!

So, meshmixer worked on XP for you? hmm.....

Edit: Just read in the forums over there that v2.3 was working on XP, but it got broken in the 2.4 version which is the only one they have available for download. Grrrr

Which part are you referring to when you say "screw bosses?" Do you mean the parts that are overhanging the most? Unfortunately for its application, it cannot be changed. I have cut them out though and printed them by themselves and they came out great. I just need to open up the slot they go back into just a bit (tolerances and all that.)

So, so far so good. I am getting a little warping on those side pieces, but that is going to be a pain to cut out. I may look at adding a coin to them to hold them down.

I have a feeling that my supports settings are probably not optimal. I wouldn't expect them to be perfect, but completely drooping, sagging, and distorting the part is not something I expected. Almost makes them useless!

I still need to add two more servo trays on the bottom side! I am going to get a bit creative there and just make them so I can glue them on. I will probably be removing a ton of unneeded material as well in this model.

More like "necessary ally." Oh, how I dream of a day when you just hit print and everything just comes out exactly as you designed it. One day!

I just learned that we have one at my work that has been broken down for about 7 years. I am not sure why they never repaired it. I am working to transfer it to my department so I can fix it and see what it can do. I even put a few probes in to make sure it is given to me if they plan to toss it. I forget the exact model, but it is a large Z-Corp SLS printer.

It was probably abandoned because the people that knew how to use it had moved on. I work in the avionics industry so there is all kinds of stuff laying around, abandoned. Every once in a while I convince the company to let me take it.

Cross your fingers for me!

yes many none technical bosses abandon tools they dont know how to figure out lol. what slicer are you using for G-code?

I have only been able to get good prints and settings for things like support etc using the new version of Slic3r that comes with the latest repetier host. gave up on skienforge even as it seem stuck on stupid