3D Printing: The art of slicing

As I continue to pursue my 3D-printing hobby, I'm finding that I've improved my pre-build design work. Even on the standard, free Creality Slicer application that came with my entry-level machine, I've found I can really begin tailoring pre-existing designs I've found online, as well as creating my own unique models. 

Layout of the Sliced Dodge Charger Design

Experienced 3D printers will know this, but "slicing" is (in basic terms) the word for programing a digital design so your printer can build it, level-by-level. The free slicing software offered with my modest machine lacks many of the more advanced tools an expert may want to design a serious product: either to sell or use for a complex task... a drone for example.

When I first began creating 3D prints, I stuck with free pre-designed files I could download from sites like Thingverse and Cults 3D. These sites provide open-source models offered by generous users who simply want to share their work with others. You simply create an account, download the 3D file you'd like to build and stick your new file in the machine. The next thing you know, your printer is building a replica of the Colosseum or the Space Shuttle. 

The top, front, of the Challenger

However, as I advanced in my hobby, I realized I needed to be able to customize, or even create, designs from scratch. If I'm going to build a robot or a satellite, I'll need to begin learning how to create my own model; then edit and improve on it from the first built prototype: enter the 1970 Dodge Challenger model.  

There are not too many of these babies on the road anymore, in part because 1970's American muscle cars, and the people who loved to drive them, were (to put it lightly) a bit high-strung. Just watch Vanishing Point (1971), for an example. That's Exactly why I wanted to add the Challenger to my (little) car collection ;)

Anyway, I looked at a few pre-made designs for the old Challenger on the Internet as well as numerous photos of the famed car, and got to work. I originally tried a small-sized version -about the size of a Hot Wheels (do they still have Hot Wheels?). It came out okay, but it was a bit disappointing. Details such as the mirrors, headlights, back mufflers, etc. either didn't come out, or broke off very easily. The big problem was that my modest machine has a very small build-plate, and limited area to create a bigger, more complex models. 

The print

My solution was to create a larger model, but in two different pieces. This way, I could create a nice big car even with the limited space I had. To do this, I flipped the car in my design vertically, with the back of the car on the bottom, and the top of the car on top. In doing this, the software understands that you're only making one half of the model in one build, and you can still save the other half to build later. Once you're finished, you can either glue both sides together, or program notches in the model so they snap in place. Pretty cool. 

I'm still very much a learner when it comes to 3D printing. Both my machine, and the free Creality Slicer application I use are entry-level. However, I have experimented with some much more complex SAAS paid applications which allow users to make much more complicated designs. 

SelfCAD is a great web-based system that you can use to basically make anything; plus it's very reasonably priced... However, these types of systems require a bit of expertise. So, the amateur -like myself-, may want to consider the cost before going further than the basic slicing software.          

The Expanse: A look into the future?

Museum of Science & Industry

One of my best friend's dreams is to be an astronaut. I, however, would never go to space. Well, we agree to disagree. 

My friend believes the "final frontier" will bring wonders; I think space is a lot of nothing, and some rocks, and gas giants. And, if we find someone, or some thing, up there, it might just be terrible. 

Perhaps I am traumatized by watching Alien, Aliens and (good god!) Event Horizon. But, I think we humans do best on our little blue marble called Earth. If we want to explore space, we can always send a neat robot. 

However, in spite of my fear of space, I still love science fiction. I'm currently about half-way through the second book of James S. A. Corey's "Expanse" trilogy. The Expanse book series, and well-done television show on Amazon, shows what I believe is an accurate version of a space-venturing future. Earth is over-crowded, and humans have ventured to Mars, and have even created colonies on asteroids and moons of Jupiter. In cosmological terms, this is a pretty humble task; of all the billions of planets, stars, light-years and parsecs in just the Milky Way galaxy, that's like barely leaving our own back-yard!

 

It's not Star Trek. There are no spaceships that can break the laws of physics (that we know of currently). Space, in The Expanse, is a tough and brutal place. Brave, blue collar, space workers are regularly injured on-the-job by space rocks, ice chunks and work accidents. -Think of a coal miner from West Virginia, but in a space-suit.- Not only that, but the challenges families face in this fictional series are serious; cancer is rampant due to Solar radiation, which we are protected from on Earth. Individuals who are born in space, grow up differently due to the lack of gravity; their muscles and bones are used to weightlessness. If they go to Earth they will have a terrible time coping, as it would be like having pounds of iron on their shoulders.

When it come to physics, the Expanse series truly tries to be accurate as well. On Earth, with our lovely gravity, if someone shoots a gun, the bullet shoots away and the shooter stands still. In a gravity-free environment, the shooter flies backward as fast as the bullet shoots forward. Not only that, but a projectile, like a bullet, can puncture a dome or a ship that contains the oxygen we humans need to breath. Bad news! 

When it comes to fighting wars in space, it's a crap shoot. It's basically firing stuff in every direction and hoping for the best. God forbid your spaceship is punctured, because then you're toast.     

James S. A. Corey, "The Expanse",  New York, New York: Orbit: Hachette Book Group, Inc. 2012