Monat: Januar 2021

Cura Infill Patterns Display Models

This is a collection of Cura Infill Pattern Displays with models for 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, and 50% infill density. Cura project files (.3mf) are included for each of the densities for easy printing setup. The project files have all of the necessary support blockers.

I saw ccarbs 20% density model (remix source) and liked the idea, but it would require 120 grams and take 9 hours 46 minutes to print with draft settings. Ain’t nobody got time for that! And the amount of material is even more of a concern.

So I designed my own model from scratch for 15% density, which is what I typically print at. And since it was easy to change the density on the model and the density in the print settings I made models and project files for each of the commonly used densities in case anyone wants one of those. These models require about 1/4 the material and print time as ccarbs original model.

The first picture is a photo of a printed model but all others are rendered images that I made by converting the G-code from Cura to STLs using Voxelizer and then rendering the sliced STL models with Blender.

2021-01-22 update: added an OpenSCAD customizer in case anyone wants to create one for another density or make other modifications to the model.

Cura Project Files

The Cura project files are all the same except for the model itself, which indicates the density and the infill density setting specified in the profile. They all use the draft profile with the layer heights set to 0.2 mm and the number of top and bottom layers set to 0. The model has an overlap-modifying cutting mesh support blocker sized 136x88x2 at [0,0,0] with 4 top layers and 4 bottom layers specified. The model also has an overlap-modifying cutting mesh support blocker for each infill pattern with the appropriate infill pattern specified and are sized 19x19x11 at [X,Y,2] where X=[-48,-24,0,24,48] and Y=[-24,0,24].

After loading the project file, select your printer instead of the printer loaded in the project file (an Ultimaker Original Dual Extrusion).

The model and support blockers are all configured to use extruder 1. If you need to change them to use extruder 2 on your printer, you can select them all by CTRL clicking each of them in the object list and then set them all at once to use extruder 2 by pressing CTRL/2.

Change any settings you want in your print settings and make sure that the infill density matches what’s specified on the model.

Material and Time Estimates

The estimated amount of filament and time to print on my Flashforge Creator Pro using the draft profile are listed below. The time will be different for your printer and settings. I printed my 15% model using my usual settings (slower print speed of 40 mm/sec) and it took 4 hours 20 minutes.

15% density model: 33g, 10.92m, 2h47m
20% density model: 34g, 11.55m, 2h53m
25% density model: 36g, 12.16m, 2h59m
30% density model: 38g, 12.72m, 3h05m
35% density model: 40g, 13.38m, 3h12m
40% density model: 42g, 14.00m, 3h17m
45% density model: 44g, 14.62m, 3h23m
50% density model: 45g, 15.19m, 3h31m

Tip: Three top and bottom layers should be sufficient for the base. You can shorten the print time and save about 4 grams of material by changing the # of top and # of bottom layers to 3 in the large support blocker that encompasses the base.

Some of My Designs

Click an image below (opens in a new tab) or go to my designs page and see them all.

If you see some thing that you like , please click the ^Like button and turn that heart red .

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 

Thingiverse user pcoulbourne asked me if I could extend my flexing battery holders with integrated spring project to also support multi-cell compartments which house 2 or 3 cells in series and are held with a single plastic spring.

With more than one cell in a row the pushing force of the spring is prone to lift the batteries up at their joining point and push them out of the compartment. Also longer cells are more prone to cause warping. The solution to these problems was to add cutouts at the center of each cell to allow a better grip when manipulating the cells (and thereby reducing the warping!) and add an inside overhang between the cutouts to prevent the batteries from popping out.

The included fully parametrized SCAD file is an extension to the initial version, thus it can as well be used to generate all the single cell compartment battery holders from the initial project. However, the STLs included here are only the ones with 2- and 3-cell compartments for some of the more common cell types. I started by including ready-to print STLs for AA, AAA, C and 18650 type cells, others might follow. But of course you can easily generate multi-cell holders for any other cell type yourself by adding the corresponding module calls in the OpenScad source file.

Note that when having 2 or 3 cells secured by a single plastic spring, even small variations of the cell length may become critical, since the differences are dupli- or triplicated. Small differences can be compensated to some extent by varying the thickness of the pole contacts.

I suggest to load and unload the batteries from the plus end of the compartment (opposite side of the spring) and slide the cells there as showing in one of the pictures. Pushing the batteries through the overhang generates stress on the side walls of the case, especially for the smaller cells.

For any further details, please check out the initial version of this project.