3D Printer File Question

[hemmjo]

I do not have a 3d printer yet. Would like to, but too many other things going on right now.

Currently, I need to make a small foundry pattern to cast a few plugs for square steep tubing. I could make this from wood or plastic as I have done many times in the past, but I got to thinking wish I had a 3d printer. I know I need a special file to feed into a printer. I investigated some and found some free 3d software. BUT, there is always a but, My computer is too old to run it. (everything I have is old

I have a friend that teaches where I used to teach. They have 3d printers. How difficult is it to create a 3d file for something like this? I hate to ask him to do this for me if it takes a long time to make the file.



Thanks,

John

[carl blum]

Hi John:
It isn't hard. The only challenge for the printer is the 0.230" radius on the top, but some printers might be OK with it. Otherwise you could add the radius after printing the rest.
I use a free 3D modeller called OnShape that is similar to SolidWorks. Here are the steps I would take:

1) On the top plane draw a 2" square and extrude it to 0.25"
2) On top the square draw second square 1.8" and extrude it 0.75"
3) On top of the 1.8" square draw a 1/3" square and remove material to 0.7"? deep
4) Put a 0.25" radius on the eight corners
5) Add a 5° draft to the sides and corners
6) Put an 0.125" radius on the top corners
7) Put the 0.23" radius on the very top

It took me about 15 minutes to model, here is a link:

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/00...c98eba1908ab6d



Good luck, Carl.

[hemmjo]

Thanks Carl, sent the file to my friend. Be made me a few but have not picked them up yet.
I will post a thread when I use them as patterns to cast them in aluminum

Thanks so much!!

John