The Faculty offers a rapid prototyping (3d printing & 2d laser profile cutting) service for University clients (students and staff) interested in producing physical 3D models of computer generated objects.

| 3d printing data sheet | 2d laser cutting data sheet |

See some examples >  Gallery

We will examine the model, prepare it for printing and provide a quotation for the cost (if any) and delivery time scale.

We can also provide 3d CAD modelling support if required.  Contact us to find out more >  E-mail

The model:

The model must fit within the build size envelope of the printer, as specified below.  For 3d printing The model will be made from a plaster based material (ZCorp) or a polymer based material (Objet).  It will be white/cream in colour, robust and rigid, ready for use.   The model can then be hand finished, painted, etc. or left in its natural state.  See some model samples > Gallery
 

2. Objet Eden 250 - slower, more costly but much better accuracy, resolution and surface finish quality.

Material: Photo sensitive polymer.
Build size: 260mm x 260mm x 200mm
Print Resolution:
X-axis: 600 dpi: 42 µ
Y-axis: 300 dpi: 84 µ
Z-axis: 1600 dpi: 16 µ

• You need to supply a 3D model file in either one of the following native CAD formats:
   3ds Max, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Rhino
  ...or in one of these neutral formats:
  DXF (Data Exchange Format), STL (STereo Lithography), VRML (Virtual Reality Modelling Language), IGES.
   
• Consider limitations of model build size. 
  Larger models can be made by slicing up the original model, printing off the parts and then bonding them together.  Model a 0.5mm clearance on mating surfaces.
   
• Be aware of thin walls.  Try to avoid walls thinner than 2mm, definitely no thinner than 1mm.
   
• CAD models must be constructed using solids or totally enclosed surfaces. 

Guidelines for modelling fluid flow models for use in the wind tunnel & water channel:

• The wind tunnel working section is 450 mm square. Recommended blockage factor (frontal area/ working sectional area) is about 10% if you want to do drag measurements, so that makes the model equivalent to about 140 mm square maximum. Unfortunately it runs out at about 18 m/s so scale effects are an issue.  If flow is deflecting to produce lift (e.g. on foils or sails) the ground effects start to be significant if the foil is nearer than about 2 chords from the ground.  3D effects would also have to be allowed for, which means leaving a gap at the ends of the foil, possibly at least 2 chords.
   
• The orange water channel is 450 mm wide by about 250 mm deep (variable). Speed is around 1 m/s.  The same sort of rules apply as above, with the added complication that if the model is too long, then bow waves are reflected from the walls and interfere with the stern wave system.  However, within the levels of measurement accuracy achievable at these small scales, these errors would probably get lost in the noise.