So I FINALLY (3-month wait) received my FormLabs-2 3D laser printer. To test the limits of the printer and to see how fine of detailing I could do I first decided to print a very detailed and complex model that of course failed. I tried to print a model of the PAL Time Machine (TM). See below. I purchased this model from Turbo Squid.
But in the failure I learned a lot about what sort of detailing and the extent of detailing this printer would perform. I was impressed. Even though I was forewarned by the FormLabs pre-form program that my model would fail, after 18 hours of printing and 158.54 mL of clear resin, it did.
The TM model failed for a number of reasons as the generator pods, barber chair, dish support and control panel failed to complete. However, looking at the dish, all of the 365 pins around the dish and the dish itself printed flawlessly, as did the TM base, base feet, control panel year-day-hour display panel, the under panel filigree, most of the railings and related filigrees and rear inlays in the generator and the bolts on the base of the generator. On top of the control panel are three caged lights representing the changes in time and day; I was surprised that the ultra-small cage wires were printed.
Also note the extensive build-support structure, more of which was cut away after the print. The supports are generated by the pre-form program to help support the build during printing. The support is then cut or peeled away after printing.
See below:
So in all, if I wanted to print this again I would do it in pieces and assemble it.
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So for my next print I wanted a less detailed item so I chose to build replication of the interior gear in the older version of the 192 Control Tower. This gear is usually missing. It allows the men and the anemometer to rotate in opposite directions to each other. The gear after 2 hours of printing and 8.12 ml of clear resin, see below, was a success.
This is a plastic version of the gear. I believe the actual gear is metal.
MORE TO COME!!
