CMSC 838G - Spring 2004
Prof Guimbretiere

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Homework #3 (due 03/16/04):
Using the Z corp 3D printer

The goal of this homework is to become familiar with the Z corp 3D printer , the rapid prototyping printer we will be using in the class.

Software and manual

The printer is located in #3252 and is connected to Vellum on which the ZCorp software has been installed. The manual for the printer is on the shelf next to Vellum. Please keep the manual in the lab.

I set up a Yahoo calendar so that you can reserve a machine in my lab or check if a machine is available (including Vellum, the 3D printer, and the MicroScribe) . If not reserved, machines are on a first come first served basis. If you made a reservation and you are more than 15min late, the reservation is canceled. The account name for our calendar is RPatHCIL. The password will be given in class. Please note that the MicroScribe and the 3D printer are connected to Vellum.

Assignment

It is recommended that you work in team of two, but you might elect to work by yourself if you wish.

For this homework, you are asked to create a 3D printout of the model you created for homework #2. For best results you should:

  • Be sure that you model is watertight. We discussed in class techniques to be used to make you model watertight, but for more detail you might want to look at the online manual provided with Rhino (Import and Export/File formats/Other file formats/STL, or use "watertightness" in the topics search),

  • So that the model is light you should be careful to hollow it. A simple way to do so, it to either scale the outer shell inward. Another way is to use the "offset surface" function and then simplify the resulting surface. In either case be sure that the thickness of your part is no less than .075" when printed. Do not forget to create a hole at the bottom of your model to be able to empty the powder trapped inside.

Please send you new model to me before class and bring your model to the class on the day the homework is due.
 

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