If you have an .obj or .stl file for what you want to print I can look at it when I get home.

@IvenBach last time I did any modeling was in 2011 maybe, and it was a 3D model for a game I was working on, but all I was doing was editing a file that had already been created... I am not artistic... LOL

I will have to find some software and see if I can create something. looks like there are a few people here that have printing experience, and I can always reach out to my old boss or a couple of people I have seen streaming their 3D prints

Everyone starts somewhere. I've only used tinkercad for simple block shaped creations.

and I am sure there is an Exchange for 3D printing

There's also chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/79830/public-3d-printing-room where you can ask.

I want to make some Graphite Molds eventually. that is ideal for simple things

@Malachi If and/or when you do want a 3d printed prototype let me know.

@Malachi What kind of schematic would you require for that?

here is what I would be doing.

so I need a Positive to make a Negative to pour into

I like having a 2 sided thing, versus a one sided mold that only has a design on one side. but that is just me being picky

this can be done with one piece. if it is 2 pieces there needs to be peg and hole on either half so they stick together

there is also a way to use Styrofoam and then the Metal destroys the styrofoam when you pour it in.

@Malachi If you want the details of the logo to be included, you'd probably need a baseplate of sorts.

At least something meshy so it stays together.

Otherwise the parts won't stay afloat.

yeap, and that baseplate needs a certain girth to allow enough pressure during casting

I'm having a little trouble getting the dimensions right.

But afar from that it's not particularly difficult to make it 3D.

Base:

@Malachi You could probably take a mould half as high as the target height and use a duplicate of it, since the top and bottom of the logo are the same.

In other news, the Astronomy election got cancelled due to lack of volunteers.

Slightly better versions.

If anyone is interested in the files of this or a more refined version, let me know.

sorry I was taking lunch. I was thinking of the entire thing being solid, and the area that is white in the middle just being sunken in (recessed)

the outside white part being nonexistent.

@Mast 😬

@Malachi That would work.

I am looking for someone to make the 3D Model because I don't have a Printer and/or the knowledge to create one at this time. I should have been clear about that. I don't mind kicking in some money for it because I would be able to reuse this piece.

if anyone knows of a place where I can get a graphite mold made, that would cool too. I haven't looked into custom GRaphite molds yet

@Malachi Getting it printed is the easy part.

if I had a place to set up a 3D printer where the Cats and Dogs and kids would leave it alone, I might think about getting one. I need to clean up my Garage.... the wife still has some projects out there too....

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thank you, @Mast

@Malachi I know the feeling.

Casting it would be a multi-step process.

when I bought this house, I knew the Garage wasn't going to be big enough. now that I have Blacksmithing stuff in there I don't quite have enough room for all the vehicles, my bike Motorcycle just won't fit

1 and 3 are fairly easy, for 2 we can ask Ivan, I have no idea how to do 4.

so once I have a "positive" I can use sand to create the "negative" Mold

I've considered putting a printer in the attic, but the things are bloody noisy and my house poorly insulated.

so the 3D print would be an actual prototype, then I would create the mold from that

@Mast I didn't know they were noisy...

Oh yes, and sometimes a design takes hours to print.

So one one hand you'd want to run them overnight. On the other...

I know you want to keep an eye on them in case they aren't turning out, you can stop it mid way through

@Malachi For the first few, definitely.

what software are you using to create these 3D images?

Solidworks

do you know if it exports the type of files used by most 3D printers?

and is that free?

@Malachi No, but the files it exports to can be used by free software.

Although Solidworks can communicate directly with 3D printers as well, so it has some benefits.

But all 3D printers can handle STL and every 3D program can eventually churn out STL.

I think I might ask my old QA Director what software he uses, maybe see if I can get him to print them... shorter time getting the print to me too if he prints it for me.

thank you for doing this.

Np

I am really into this metal melting stuff, and I want to keep going with it.

You probably want curved edges, not those sharp corners though. Something to think about. I have no experience with metal casting whatsoever, but for 3D printing it seems to matter at least a bit.

I like the blacksmithing stuff too, but the Coal setup takes a lot of time because I have to set it all up and get the coal up to heat and then keep the fire tended to

rounded or square doesn't matter when I cast them, because I am going to sand and shine the thing anyway

so whatever is better for the print

Ok

I'll see if I can polish it up a bit further. Let me know if and when you need anything.

@Mast There's a few ducks I'd like to print this for as a gift.

Noise: Not bad. Not as loud as a microwave when it's on.

Like that?

You probably meant Rubberduck enthusiasts...

^

Sure. I assume you want the file as STL?

@IvenBach That's nice.

I went a tad overboard with printing ducks when I first started.

It's good practice :-)

LUL

I can't find the picture of Mug's lithophane I printed for him.

I have my CR duck here, I was thinking about creating a sand mold from it so I can cast an aluminum duck

Lithophane I made for Mug as a gift for everything Rubberduck has taught me.

Very nice.

@Malachi Sure, why not?

@IvenBach that's ..... freaking..... cool!

@Mast one of the guys that I watch (one that dumpster dives for stuff to melt), removed a bunch of windows or something and got chewed out by his wife for melting them down.

will you send me the files you created, if it isn't too much trouble? maybe we can create a Github for the files so that we can share 3D files

or use the CR Community one that is already up? it's been a while since I was in there