3D printed coral

smartwater101 · 02/14/2014, 01:17 AM

I've been meaning to update my 90g reef build thread. Lots of photos and updates to come... but I wanted to share this part of the build.

I haven't properly calibrated my printer, so the print isn't perfect. There is SO much to tweak but overall I'm happy with how its working.

This attempt was a failure on so many levels. Though, as bad as the print was, it could have easily been cleaned up... BUT my laptop was set to sleep after 4 hours so it never finished. Ooops.

For the next test I did some tweaks to the model in C4d. ( I prefer maya for modeling but my laptop can't really handle it)

Replicator G

Setting up my 7D to take a timelapse. The print time for this was about 5 hours.

Both pieces could have used a bit more cleanup before painting. But overall I'm pretty happy with how they turned out.

I used Fusion paint and Polyurethane clearcoat. As far as I understand, both are perfectly safe for a reef. ( I'm letting both dry for a week, before I put them in my 90g.)

hope you like!

billdogg · 02/14/2014, 05:59 AM

wish mine would grow that fast!

nice application of a cool technology

calebkraft · 02/14/2014, 06:40 AM

I'm pretty sure my printer could never have printed that in a million years.

Jeff000 · 02/14/2014, 06:46 AM

I so want a 3d printer. What one do you have? What other things have you printed?

LiquidShaneo · 02/14/2014, 07:52 AM

Hey this is seriously awesome! Care to share the model file? FYI I actively blog over at Advanced Aquarist about 3D printing in the Saltwater Aquarium hobby.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/sear...&submit=Search I have three printers: an old Makerbot Cupcake #2950, a Prusa i3, and a Graber i3 (my own design).

smartwater101 · 02/14/2014, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff000

I so want a 3d printer. What one do you have? What other things have you printed?

This is a FlashForge. I've just been printing random stuff so far. I do design & animation for a living and have always wanted to print some of my 3D stuff. I also do custom video game controllers so I'm experimenting with various design changes.

@LiquidShaneo This is just a modification of a prebuilt model from turbosquid. But I'm working on a few from scratch so I'll probably upload my digitata model once I'm finished with it.

calebkraft · 02/14/2014, 07:33 PM

what a weird and small world!

I taught 3d modeling for a few years (3ds max 4 and up!). I ALSO do custom gaming controllers, though the few that I've done have been for people with special physical needs.

I'm being loose with my definitions though, I haven't worked in 3d animation in 10 years or so.

smartwater101 · 02/14/2014, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calebkraft

what a weird and small world!

I taught 3d modeling for a few years (3ds max 4 and up!). I ALSO do custom gaming controllers, though the few that I've done have been for people with special physical needs.

I'm being loose with my definitions though, I haven't worked in 3d animation in 10 years or so.

Nice! I'll have to check out your stuff. Yeah I learned on c4d then used max for 4-5 years then moved to Maya for a year or so. Since most the work I do is in the motion graphics world, I'm back in c4d for the most part.

fmcarter3 · 03/31/2014, 11:39 AM

That is awesome. I was just on reddit and I came across this 3D printed protein skimmer.

check it out on the reddit post here: http://www.reddit.com/r/ReefTank/com...mmer_check_it/

karimwassef · 03/31/2014, 12:27 PM

What do you estimate the cost of setting up a system like that?
What's the material cost in the coral you printed?

02/14/2014, 01:17 AM	#1
smartwater101 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 382	3D printed coral I've been meaning to update my 90g reef build thread. Lots of photos and updates to come... but I wanted to share this part of the build. I haven't properly calibrated my printer, so the print isn't perfect. There is SO much to tweak but overall I'm happy with how its working. This attempt was a failure on so many levels. Though, as bad as the print was, it could have easily been cleaned up... BUT my laptop was set to sleep after 4 hours so it never finished. Ooops. For the next test I did some tweaks to the model in C4d. ( I prefer maya for modeling but my laptop can't really handle it) Replicator G Setting up my 7D to take a timelapse. The print time for this was about 5 hours. Both pieces could have used a bit more cleanup before painting. But overall I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. I used Fusion paint and Polyurethane clearcoat. As far as I understand, both are perfectly safe for a reef. ( I'm letting both dry for a week, before I put them in my 90g.) hope you like! __________________ 160 mixed reef: Hippo tang, Foxface, clownfish, 25+ nano gobies/blennies/cardinals Last edited by smartwater101; 02/14/2014 at 01:36 AM.

02/14/2014, 06:40 AM	#3
calebkraft Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: missouri Posts: 23	I'm pretty sure my printer could never have printed that in a million years. __________________ Thanks for your time, Caleb Kraft Current Tank Info: too many

02/14/2014, 07:33 PM	#7
calebkraft Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: missouri Posts: 23	what a weird and small world! I taught 3d modeling for a few years (3ds max 4 and up!). I ALSO do custom gaming controllers, though the few that I've done have been for people with special physical needs. I'm being loose with my definitions though, I haven't worked in 3d animation in 10 years or so. __________________ Thanks for your time, Caleb Kraft Current Tank Info: too many

02/14/2014, 05:59 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	wish mine would grow that fast! nice application of a cool technology __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

02/14/2014, 06:46 AM	#4
Jeff000 Electrician Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,653	I so want a 3d printer. What one do you have? What other things have you printed?

02/14/2014, 07:52 AM	#5
LiquidShaneo Reefer Join Date: May 2000 Location: Archbold, OH, USA Posts: 1,162	Hey this is seriously awesome! Care to share the model file? FYI I actively blog over at Advanced Aquarist about 3D printing in the Saltwater Aquarium hobby. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/sear...&submit=Search I have three printers: an old Makerbot Cupcake #2950, a Prusa i3, and a Graber i3 (my own design).

03/31/2014, 11:39 AM	#9
fmcarter3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: PA Posts: 2	That is awesome. I was just on reddit and I came across this 3D printed protein skimmer. check it out on the reddit post here: http://www.reddit.com/r/ReefTank/com...mmer_check_it/

03/31/2014, 12:27 PM	#10
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	What do you estimate the cost of setting up a system like that? What's the material cost in the coral you printed?