3D print for patterns

[bermudahwin]

Hey Chris...

maybe we can talk about printing me some moulds when you become super proficient.

Seriously, I am keen to see how it goes, as I am looking at getting a local laser cutter in Dereham to cut me some metal jigs, and I think 3d printing may be better for me to learn. I may well emulate you.

Harry

[chrisash]

That would be no problem Harry, also your always welcome down to see and observe once i have it up and running

The machines are quite cheap now, I just paid £163 for the latest version of the Ender 3 model which seems highly rated in the lower cost section

[bermudahwin]

Cool, thanks, Chris

[dikman]

Have a look at Thingiverse, there are all sorts of things to print that people post the .STL files for. There are even a few things for sewing (just search for sewing). Pretty good way to get started.

[sbrownn]

Most of the models you might 3D print for leather working really don't require a very in depth knowledge of CAD.  Start off by making yourself some cutting templates.  These are really just 2D models with the only 3D aspect being thickness.  To make a cutting template you begin with a sketch of what you want and then make it 3D using whatever the extrude feature in your program is called.  My favorite program is SolidWorks but there are a bunch out there and they all basically do the same thing.  Once your model is complete save it as a .stl file.  The .stl file is the file type the printer reads.  You can either use the software that came with your printer or an after market program to prepare the .stl file for printing.  I use a program called Simplify 3D.  It is easy to use and is fast.  

If anyone would like some basic instruction on how the process works, send me a sketch of what you want to make and I will lead you through it.  

[dikman]

Umm, the printer needs a Gcode file to print. You need a slicer programme to convert the .STL to Gcode, it also sets the print parameters. I use Slic3r but many use Cura.