Metrology Minute – Resizing Section Planes for Custom 2D Cross-Sections
In this issue of our Metrology Minute, we will discuss how to resize section planes so that just the necessary geometry is displayed. This becomes extremely useful for very complex models where you want to draw the reviewer’s attention to a specific location on the model. In order to do this, the first thing we needed to do, in our example below, was to create the plane that we planned to use to create the partial section. We identified these three points first as circle centers and then we fitted a plane through those points as shown below. Next, we placed a point at the center of the large water pump cover radius and created an offset plane, parallel to our construction plane and passing through that point. This is the plane that was used to create the partial section. After we instructed Control X to create the 2D Section, plane control handles became available, enabling us to control just how much of the section was cut by the plane and exactly which cross-sectional geometry was shown. If we wanted to isolate just a single area where the large inlet was located, we could have reduced the size of the plane where just [...]
Freescan Combo 3D Scanner – New Kid on the Block
The Freescan Combo 3D Scanner is a multifunctional, hybrid light source, metrology-grade scanner. The tiny footprint makes scanning of tight quarters much more accessible than with traditional handheld scanners. By having four (4) working modes, the Combo is perhaps the most versatile, handheld scanner, on the market. In Laser mode, it offers multiple laser scanning options; multi-laser scanning (26 crossing lasers), single laser line scanning (for deep holes) fine line scanning (for very high resolution) and infrared (structured light) operations. In Infrared mode, the Combo offers scanning where targets are optional for highly detailed objects or subjects. And while the speed of multiple laser line scanning is 1.86 million points/second, the infrared mode scans at an incredible speed of 2.5 million points/second. Having a total tolerance of just 20 microns (.00078”) and a maximum resolution of just 30 microns (.0012”), this scanner is perfect for high-precision metrology applications as well as reverse engineering, organic scanning and just about any other scanning application. The resolution in Fine Laser mode, where the scanner uses seven parallel laser lines for scanning can achieve incredible levels of detail. Due to the compact size and revolutionary design, the scanner is amazing at capturing fine detail, even ‘seeing’ into very [...]
Exploring the Control X Measure Menu
This blog post will delve into the Measure Menu of Geomagic’s Control X software. While most users of Control X are interested in producing color maps, whisker plots, dimension checks, and GD&T analyses of the scan as compared to the nominal CAD model, it is important to note that there are several “mesh-only” functions for measuring a scan model that do not require a nominal CAD model. Geomagic Control X Measure Menu Options The Measure Distance menu simply measures the distance between two points. You just need to keep in mind that the distances are generated from the nearest vertex points on the mesh, not the actual selected point. The Measure Angle menu will measure the angle between two mesh faces, such as the chamfer and body scan below. The Measure Radius menu simply measures the radius of a mesh by selecting three points at the edge of a mesh cylinder. The Measure Area menu measures the surface area of the selected mesh. This measurement is in terms of units squared (for example, in^2, mm^2, etc.). Surface area calculations may be for both closed and open mesh files. The Measure Volume menu measures the volume of a fully closed, manifold mesh. The units [...]
Materialise Magics – Packing Programs for 3D Printing
Let’s take a look at how to incorporate 3D packing software into your plastic powder workflow. While most machines come with their own packing programs, Materialise Magics can be a fantastic addition to your process. In this post, we’ll explore an example of a build for Formlabs, XYZprinting, and HP plastic powder printers that were packed in Magics. Magics is a mesh manipulation software that specializes in 3D packing. The program uses the geometry of your model to efficiently pack your parts, whereas other programs simply use the bounding box of your models. Due to this, Magics is able to increase the packing density of your builds, reducing the overall waste material that you generate and the time needed for printing. The first thing you need to do is import some files into the program. Magics can interpret almost every 3D file type including STL, 3MF, STEP, Solidworks, Creo, Inventor, and other native CAD files. When using STL files, you will need to confirm the sizes of your parts, since the file type holds limited information on the units. Using the handy scaling tool, you can convert between millimeters and inches with the click of a button. After importing, the next step is [...]
Concept 3D-Printed Sneaker Made of One-Piece Construction
(Article reprint from AdditiveManufacturing.com) A new concept sneaker revealed at Paris Fashion Week makes use of 3D printed TPU not just for the sole, but the entire body of the shoe — a consolidation that hints at how additive manufacturing might further streamline footwear production in the future. The Reebok × Botter shoe was engineered with the HP 3D printing team based in Barcelona and manufactured using the latter’s Multi Jet Fusion technology. Reebok x Botter Concept Sneaker Engineered by HP premiered at the 2023 Paris Fashion Week. Photo Credit: HP Inc. Taking design inspiration from the shell of the predatory murex snail, the shoe features a distinctly ridged sole and a laced upper. The pairs showcased at Fashion Week were hand-painted to complement the colors of the Caribbean Sea found throughout Botter’s FW23 collection. Read the Full Article
Our CEO Wins the Distinguished INnovator Operators Award (DINO)
Congratulations to Rob Hassold, our CEO, for winning the DINO Award at AMUG2023 The DINO Award is AMUG’s most prestigious honor and is bestowed upon those with the highest levels of additive manufacturing expertise as well as a willingness to share that knowledge through contributions to AMUG, its members and the industry it represents. Each year, the DINO Selection Committee reviews submitted nominations and the list of conference registrants to select no more than 10 deserving individuals. The committee considers contributions to AMUG (speaker, volunteer, etc.); contributions to the AM industry; years of hands-on work with an AM technology; willingness to share and assist; skill level; and other subjective factors. Over AMUG's 35-year history, only 177 individuals have been awarded DINOs. We are very proud to be at the forefront of the Additive Manufacturing industry with a DINO award winner at our helm. Congratulations Rob!