Monday July 11, 2016 at 4:54pm
Jonathan Pawson, an Engineering student at Cambridge University tells us what he has been up to during his 4 week placement with Solid Solutions.
Week 2
The finished prototype 3D Printed
Second week almost done and the 3D printer is currently in
the process of printing out the first prototype of the lock holder (after a few
hiccups!).
Again this week has involved more training courses; assembly
and sheet metal, which have both followed on from last week and branched out
into more specialised areas of SOLIDWORKS.
I’ve also been working a lot more on my personal project and
have developed the design up to a point where I am now printing out the first
prototype.
(The finished
prototype, mounted using hex bolts)
I’m using a MakerBot Replicator 2 to print it out. It’s very
simple to use and comes with its own software that takes the .stl file from SOLIDWORKS
and works out the path the printer extruder nozzle needs to take.
(The
MakerBot MakerWare makes it easy to position the model for printing and to
customise the print properties)
The first prototype has just been printed! It’s at a low
quality (to speed up the printing process, which still ended up being 3hrs!)
and has warped quite a bit due to its positioning on the bed (that will be
something to change for next time), but it’s happened and works well for a
first run. The hex bolts fit well and the D-lock can fit partway into it, but
doesn’t twist into it, due to the warping and the tight fit.
(The first
prototype with a D-lock, in a funky colour design because the spool ran out
part way through!)
To try and combat this problem I’ve printed it out in a different
orientation so it is standing up. The second print proved to be a lot more
successful and the lock easily fits into it.
Now
time to test it out!
Jonathan Pawson