Page Comparison

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• be exported to .STL format, one model per file
  • We will not print any STLs that contain more than one model
• be less than 14"x10"x14", scaled in inches
• pass the Shapeways tests for "plastic, white strong and flexible" (3D Tools)
  • You must provide a screenshot of the test results (contains checkmarks and render of your model) for each file
  • We will not print any files without an associated screenshot
• have no naked edges
  • We will not print any files containing naked edges
• have a minimum feature thickness of 1/16". 
  • We will not print any files containing feature thickness under 1/16"
  • 1/16" is the minimum for simple and rectilinear geometries, but more complex geometries should be thicker to avoid printing issues
• Notes

Our Tech Desk staff will use the following submission process after accepting plastic 3D print jobs:

1. Student will be notified of the estimated cost and print time
2. Base cost for printing and washing is divided by number of people--not by surface area, volume, or numbers of objects
3. Models will generally take one day (overnight) to print and one day (overnight) to wash
   1. These general time estimates will not hold during times of large print volume when there is a backlog
      1. Models can typically be picked up in the morning 2 days after they are submitted.
      2. When printing jobs that do not require the wash process, the average time is 1 day

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Preparing to Submit: Naked Edges and Shapeways Tests

1. Export the .STL file in your 3D modeling software of choice
2. Run your model through the naked edges test (instructions below) in Rhino and make sure there are no naked edges:
   1. Select your entire model and then go to the "Analyze" menu on the toolbar, then click on "EdgeTools", then "Show Edges" 
   2. Select "Naked Edges" and confirm that nothing gets highlighted. 
   3. If there are highlighted lines please fix these before coming to the desk, as we will not print any files containing naked edges

3. If using 3DS Max utilize the "STL Check" Modifier to check for model watertightness. Watertightness is a property of a mesh that has no holes or naked edges, and thus would not theoretically admit any water or fluid.

4. Create a free account at Shapeways and click the "Upload" button to test your .STL file

   1. After uploading, go to "My Models"

      1. Click on the "..." and then "Open in 3D Tools"

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      2. Model must receive all green checks mark for "White Natural Versatile Plastic"

         1. When you see an image of your model appear in the window at the top of the Shapeways page, it may still take a few minutes to display results for all quality checks

      3. The photo below shows an example of the quality check results on Shapeways–this model didn't pass all of the required tests

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