Author Archives: Marco Rainone

Math Exhibition using Low-cost 3D Printers: 3D model conversion tools

To print the mathematical shapes of the project “Math Exhibition”, I’ve selected the Ultimaker printers that are available, amongst others, in the SciFabLab.

There are two of the “original” model, one with a dual extruder.

After months of use, my overall assessment is positive: they are good machines, fast and accurate, despite some minor defect.

For these printers I’ve used the Cura program to “compile” the 3D model and transform it into a set of G-code instructions to send to the printer.

Actually, the Cura command “Load Model File” enables the loading of 3D models in these formats: STL, or OBJ, DAE, AMF, etc.

The first problem that has occurred in Project “Math Exhibition” was the fact that some of the 3D models were provided in X3D format, that “Cura” is not currently able to import.

Before performing other steps, it was necessary to convert the X3D files in STL format.
For this operation I have tested the use of two tools:

  1. Meshlab (open-source, developed by the ISTICNR research center, http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/)

  2. Netfabb (http://www.netfabb.com/)

Format conversion with Meshlab

Select: File – Import mesh

Select the x3d file. (for example: distel_200mm_full.x3d).

note_file_x3d_html_4262a6ca

note_file_x3d_html_6b5ce92c

To export in new file format: File – Esport as:

note_file_x3d_html_454f063f

Format conversion with Netfabb

Select: Project – New Project

Project – Add part

Select the x3d file. (for example: distel_200mm_full.x3d).

note_file_x3d_html_4262a6ca

note_file_x3d_html_240fb09e

To export in new file format: Part – Esport part – as STL (Ascii)

note_file_x3d_html_2b039bbe

Marco Rainone

Math Exhibition using Low-cost 3D Printers: introduction

forma_math_1_1024_768

The inspiration for this project was born when a colleague of Enrique Canessa has referred to this site:
http://imaginary.org/hands-on/four-math-sculptures
where are displayed beautiful representations of curves or surfaces described by mathematical formulas, reproduced with kind of professional 3D printers.


Naturally, professional printers have accuracy and print quality that absolutely can’t be compared with low cost 3D printers.
We asked whether, applying various techniques and precautions, objects of a certain complexity that are normally made with professional printers, could be reproduced also with low-cost models and which was the quality that could be reached in prints.