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"Thoughts on 3d-pens for ship rigging" Topic


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1,062 hits since 28 Nov 2018
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Comments or corrections?

Personal logo Virtualscratchbuilder Supporting Member of TMP Fezian28 Nov 2018 11:37 a.m. PST

I was wondering if anyone has tried this for rigging larger sailing ship models.

Personal logo Parzival Supporting Member of TMP28 Nov 2018 11:39 a.m. PST

Grrr. The Bug strikes again.

Personal logo Extra Crispy Sponsoring Member of TMP28 Nov 2018 12:49 p.m. PST

I thought about this for a similar idea but it was a flop.

First, you have to be able to draw the line you want free hand, in 3D, in one go.

Second, the filament sags easily over any significant distance.

In the end it was frustrating and looked like c**p.

haywire29 Nov 2018 7:01 a.m. PST

What if you drew the rigging on "paper" and then glued in place?

I figure it would be too thick for rigging. Thread always seemed to be better for such things.

Andrew Walters29 Nov 2018 9:06 a.m. PST

I have not tried it, but I wouldn't bother.

The extrusion rate is constant, so the slower you move your hand the thicker the strand. So you have to move your hand in a straight line at a constant speed (two things I can't do), and then if you move quick enough to get a thin line it will sag. If you move very slowly the plastic has time to cool and you can got the full distance at a stroke without sagging, but now the line is really thick and since you were trying to hold your hand steady a long time the line is wavy.

Glue-soaked cotton thread – it's already cheap and easy. I guess it would be easier just to point the tool at each end of the line, but from what I know of the devices the result wouldn't please anyone.

Personal logo Virtualscratchbuilder Supporting Member of TMP Fezian29 Nov 2018 1:42 p.m. PST

Glue-soaked cotton thread – it's already cheap and easy

This is the method I am trying to move past. :)

Cerdic29 Nov 2018 2:08 p.m. PST

What you need is a trained spider…

SeattleGamer Supporting Member of TMP29 Nov 2018 8:33 p.m. PST

I would not try this with a 3D pen, but would if I needed rigging using my 3D printer. Because even a dolt like myself, when it comes to CAD software could probably draw some straight line. And then draw looped "spider webs" between those lines. And then have my printer print that.

I would just need to measure the distances needed, and plot that out, and let the 3D printer give it a go.

But as stated, to do this with a 3D pen you would need to draw it out on a tabletop, using a metal ruler to brace the pen, and then slowly, evenly pull the pen, to get a uniform thickness tot he rop.

Just no way I could ever pull that off.

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