6.5 Acoustic enhancement with bells or other sound balls in the interior
To make objects that may need to be rolled or otherwise moved, easier for non-sighted and visually impaired students to find and follow, additional devices can be added to models that are hollow or have only a small amount of filling. Ideally, this should happen during printing with an interruption planned directly in the slicer […]
6.4 Additional information in the form of a key
Introduction Additional model information can be included in the same way as a key helps interpret a map, providing context and clarification to the reader. This is especially true for complex models where the orientation of the model and salient points are not intuitively obvious. We recommend that you create 3D objects along with a […]
6.3 Additional information via NFC, QR codes or voice
Braille can be added to a 3D printed model for visually impaired learners, as described in article 3. Braille. Raised black lettering is also possible. However, this option is limited to a few, important pieces of information due to the space required. In practice, a model often needs to be supplemented with a wide range […]
6.2 Size
Foreword This article does not discuss the educational aspects of designing a model. Aspects such as the so-called “hand tactile space” etc. can be found in article “2. Principles in designing models for VI students”. This article focuses on technical aspects concerning the size of models. Thinking about size in the design process of a model […]
6.1 STL files for sharing models
If you search for 3D models in databases, you will usually find them for download in STL format. This is currently the most common file format for sharing 3D models. When modelling in a CAD software, the model is first saved in the software’s own file format. Since this file format is only understood by […]
5.6 Use of materials
There are a lot of different materials you can 3D print with. In this article we will focus on materials that can be printed using FDM printers. Depending on the specific requirements or purpose of the 3D model, some materials will be better suited to the job than others. If these materials don’t fit your […]
5.5 Printing orientation
The orientation of the model in the 3D printer impacts a lot of different factors and can make the difference between a good or a bad print. In this article we explain the difference choosing the right orientation can make and what to consider when choosing the orientation of the model. Printability The most important […]
5.4 Nozzle size
The hotend of many common 3D printers is fitted with a 0.4mm diameter nozzle as standard. This nozzle is often retained and then exchanged for a nozzle with the same diameter after a certain period of time or as soon as it is worn or blocked. However, it is worth considering replacing the 0.4mm nozzle […]
5.3 Support
What is support? FDM printing involves printing thin layers one on top of the other. A polymer filament is heated, making it more fluid and once the nozzle has placed it in the right location it hardens. Theoretically, if several layers are printed and the subsequent layer is slightly bigger than the layer before, gravity […]
5.2 Wall thickness
During the slicing process, the wall thickness must be defined in the slicer. The reason for this is that models are designed as solid bodies in the CAD program. The thinnest possible wall thickness is always chosen because this requires less material and shortens the printing time. Reference value Although it is difficult to quote […]
5.1 Infill
As a rule, models for 3D printing are designed as solids that do not have a predefined wall thickness. For example, if a cube needs to be designed and printed, it is constructed as a “solid” cube in the design software. Only the outer walls are defined, resulting in a closed outer shell. The combination […]
5. General Cura advice
Using the G-code preview The preview of the G-code has been improved again and again over the course of many Cura updates. While in the past the use of additional software (primarily repetier host) was recommended, today the preview function is very powerful. After the model has been loaded into Cura, placed on the print […]
