3D Printing Stack Exchange
3D Printing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [3d-models]

Use this tag for questions about 3D models.

For questions regarding troubleshooting, design, and best-practices in creating or using solid 3D models for 3D printing.

312 questions
37
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7 answers

Will 3D Printed Dice Be Fair?

Is there anything to the process of 3D printing that might make the dice unfair/land on a specific side more frequently? Or will any imperfections be negligible, thus making the dice fair? I'm more concerned about making a d20 than anything else, so…
Jaich
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29
votes
9 answers

What kinds of gaps/tolerances should I use when designing pieces that fit together?

Let's say I'm modeling a simple box with a lid. Just as an example, we'll say the outer edge along the top of the box is 50 mm x 50 mm. With 3D modeling software, it's easy to build a lid for this box to surround the top with an inner edge size of…
Joel Coehoorn
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19
votes
7 answers

Tool to measure in STL files

I want to create parts for a 3D printer using OpenSCAD. Having some STL files from the vendor, but nothing else (no technical drawing, no CAD files). Does anybody knows a free tool, that allows me to measure distances between 2 selected…
Thomas S.
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16
votes
4 answers

Do 3D printers really reach 50 micron (0.05 mm) accuracy?

I've always been wondering about the actual accuracy of 3D printing devices. When looking for the perfect machine to buy, I looked at the speed, price, filaments supported etc, but also accuracy. I once asked somebody who could give me some advice…
StLuke5
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13
votes
2 answers

How to upload my works to Thingiverse without making my real name public

I want to upload some of my works to Thingiverse without making my real name public (displaying it on the profile page). I think it is OK to register my name to the site unless the make it public, and it is required by the terms to provide truthful…
MikeCAT
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13
votes
3 answers

Can toothbrush bristles be printed?

Is it possible to print toothbrush bristles using a common FDM 3D printer? I am particularly interested in the width of bristles, closeness together of each bristle, and the flexibility of each particular bristle.
J. Roibal - BlockchainEng
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12
votes
2 answers

How to 3D Print 5-pointed star object that doesn't have flat bottom and hole in the middle?

I'm new to 3D Printing. I've created this star from Blender3d. As far as I know, most printers require a flat bottom. As you can see (blue line is Z-axis, red line is X-axis, green line Y-axis), the star doesn't have any flat sides or…
junerockwell
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12
votes
2 answers

3D printing with blender

I have an object that I want to print in 3D. But I have a few questions about it. What are the things that I have to watch out for when 3D printing? I know how to change the metric size etc. Some people said that it's best to set the thickness to…
Ulus
11
votes
5 answers

What are some good FOSS or free tools for editing STL files for 3D Printing?

I'd like to customize and modify some parts on Thingiverse, beyond just simple scaling for 3D printing. I've been looking for some tools that convert the STL files into something that is easily edited, but so far all that I've found are really buggy…
Jim
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11
votes
3 answers

Grease for PLA sprocket

I am attempting to construct model tank tracks with accompanying wheels and sprockets. All parts will be printed in PLA. The tracks will be driven by electric motors. What would be a suitable grease for this project to minimize friction without…
HenrikS
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10
votes
8 answers

What is the easiest way to modify/resize an object inside a STL file?

I have this GoPro mount for a quadcopter as STL file. It looks as follows. How do I modify it so that it is wider and longer by a few millimeters but the screw holes stay the exact same size? Additionally the angle of the upper surface must stay…
Tony Stark
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9
votes
3 answers

Are self intersecting meshes dirty from a 3D printing perspective?

I have never much cared about self intersecting meshes when slicing with Cura. Geometry like the one below are often practical. I for instance add lots of rivets that self intersect with the base geometry: Now I have switched printer, and am using…
Gunslinger
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8
votes
3 answers

How to determine shell thickness for parts?

Let's say you're printing a container or some other object with no infill. What's a good rule of thumb for how thick to make the outside? I'm looking for something along the lines of millimeters thick per square inch of area. I'm thinking about PLA…
Joel Coehoorn
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8
votes
1 answer

commandline remeshing and simplifying tools

I'm currently trying to remesh and simplify some protein structure models (very large) to reduce the file size of the STLs I need to print from. The raw file before manipulation is ~4.9GB. I'm currently attempting this on my home PC (16GB Ram, AMD…
Joe Healey
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8
votes
1 answer

How to print a two color part with only one extruder

I'm planning my first project. I want to print an iPhone case with a flush letter on the back, but I want the letter in a different color (single extruder printer). The thing is the two colors will be on the same level. Do I create two separate…
Joe Blow
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