The nominations for the2021 3D Printing Industry Awardsare now open. Who do you think should make the shortlists for this year’s show? Have your say now.
RepRap自我复制开源3D打印机的开发商创建了一个新颖的Python脚本，使用户能够获得与钢对应器一样僵硬雷电竞app下载的3D打印低成本PLA梁。
The open-sourceFreeCADprogram is designed to be as accessible as possible, as it only requires users to specify some very basic parameters. This includes the length, width, and height of the beam, as well as the thickness of the struts and the diameter and number of screw holes in the mounting blocks on either end of the beam. The script then automatically generates the entire beam in the form of a 3D printable model.
RepRap has already tested its program withCreality的无限Z带CR-30系统, which enables the printing of (theoretically) infinite-length beams. The script is also suitable with standard FFF systems but without a conveyor belt, the printed beams will be limited to the length of the build plate.
The company wrote in a blog post, “Lots of people have printed long I-beams on this type of machine, but we thought that we’d write a Python FreeCAD program to generate parametric beams more suitable for 3D printing, taking advantage of the fact that complexity is more or less free with this technology and that infinite-Z belt printers can print many overhanging shapes without support material.”
How does it work?
软件代表了梁结构res as repeating blocks of tetrahedrons, which are known to be very strong with most of the material lining the outer faces. This gives the structures a high second-moment of cross-sectional area, providing ample bending resistance in all directions. The diagonal struts are also angled to ensure belt printers with 45° printing angles can fabricate the entire beam without the use of support material.
Reprap的程序还自动在每个梁的末端生成安装块，从而使光束彼此或其他物体固定。较大的孔是允许接线，管道和诸如驱动轴等零件沿梁的中心延伸，而较小的孔则可以在较大的孔周围呈棱角递增。
像钢一样僵硬
Putting the Python script to the test, RepRap 3D printed a set of PLA beams and subjected one of them to a bending test using a simple weight and dial gauge setup. The length of the printed beam was 175mm and it weighed 47.7g. Its stiffness was determined to be 1.02 x 10⁻⁴ mN⁻¹, while its flexural rigidity (Young’s modulus * second moment of area) was calculated as 17.5Nm².
reprap弄清楚的是，相同长度（175mm）的5mm平方钢梁也将重47克。尽管钢梁在物理上比打印的对应物小，但该公司仍然打印了一个PLA梁，表现出与钢重量相同的刚度。此外，使用3D打印允许可变光束尺寸，使服务可以集成到束内部，并使附件和孔的复杂模式变得轻松。
RepRap’s open-source Python program can be found on Github here.
Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) software is integral when it comes to truly leveraging the design freedom granted by 3D printing. Earlier this year, 3D printer manufacturerStratasys公司和工程软件开发人员nTopologyadded a newMasking Fixture Module to their FDM Fixture Generatordesign automation tool. The software is intended to streamline the design process for 3D printed jigs, fixtures, and other tooling.
Elsewhere, researchers fromETH Zurichhave previously developed a computational DfAM framework capable ofautomating the design of complex multi-flow nozzles. The framework acts as an alternative to the conventional CAD software used by engineers today, but allows non-specialist users to design complex geometries specifically for additive manufacturing tooling purposes, such as FDM nozzles.
订阅3D Printing Industry newsletterfor the latest news in additive manufacturing. You can also stay connected by following us onTwitter, liking us onFacebook, and tuning into the3D Printing Industry YouTube Channel.
Looking for a career in additive manufacturing? Visit3D Printing Jobsfor a selection of roles in the industry.
Featured image shows two 3D printed PLA beams secured together. Photo via RepRap.
