Monday 28 January 2013

Smooth as a babies.....

I'd taken a scan of my partner when she was pregnant, but only just got around to cleaning it up ready for printing on the weekend. She was 38 weeks at the time of scanning. Unfortunately the head didn't work very well at all, so had to settle for just the torso.

Here is the original piece straight off the printer.




And here after 2 hours in an acetone vapour bath.



6 comments:

  1. Reminds me a little of prehistoric fertility statues.

    BTW one user who was also reluctant to use the steamer found a way to get around the bottom-up problem of a room-temperature bath. He soaked a cloth or something in acetone, and wrapped it around the inside of the bucket. This way there was a vapor source at all levels.

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    1. Hi Ian,

      Thanks for the tip. Sounds like a good idea, I'll try it out.

      I was also wondering about suspending the acetone above the model and letting the vapor wash over it as it sinks. Although that might have the reverse effect and melt the top more than the bottom.

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  2. Well.. a minute ago i learned of 2 (new to me) methods to smooth out prints..
    warning: adult stuff :)

    http://www.makerlove.com/Surface-finish/index.html

    via https://twitter.com/3DPrintingBuzz/status/300524838085337089










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    Replies
    1. Ha! very interesting. I wonder if they know about passive vapour smoothing ? Much easier than painting with ABS slurry.

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  3. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20130226-smooth-surfaces-of-abs-3d-printed-parts-with-acetone-vapor.html

    really cool method & simple.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, but I'm not too sure about leaving the lid off while inside a room. Acetone vapour is nasty. Sure does clean out the sinus....
      I do like how much faster it works though.

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