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Just started with shapeways and I'm wondering if any veterans here can give some tips or just things to look out for in general

Some questions I have off the top of my hat is whether the plastic shrinks after printing and if so how much?

Also what's a good distance to put between the ball and socket?

On another note:
I'm working on a replacement sword/tail for TFP voyager predaking and this is my progress so far. http://shpws.me/oAlC I've made some changes since but didn't update the model.

I wanted the sword and tail to be articulated and still fit the original T shaped peg on voyager predaking. I also redesigned the peg so he can hold it better in robot mode, hopfully... can't confirm until tested...

your design is looking pretty good so far. The material has some flex to it so I typically make my balls and their sockets the same size. This way they are tight enough to grip. If you go with the "polished" option then you'll get material shrinkage since the top layer is getting sanded off. It's also REALLY hard to predict just how much is going to be removed and plan accordingly.. especially when working at a tiny scale.

I know that Fakebusker83 (Ariel Lemon) on TFW was also working on a tail replacement but I don't think he's as far along as you are. Or if so, hasn't shown it off.

Keep up the good work, I look forward to seeing more of your stuff ^__^

wulongti wrote:your design is looking pretty good so far. The material has some flex to it so I typically make my balls and their sockets the same size. This way they are tight enough to grip. If you go with the "polished" option then you'll get material shrinkage since the top layer is getting sanded off. It's also REALLY hard to predict just how much is going to be removed and plan accordingly.. especially when working at a tiny scale.

I know that Fakebusker83 (Ariel Lemon) on TFW was also working on a tail replacement but I don't think he's as far along as you are. Or if so, hasn't shown it off.

Keep up the good work, I look forward to seeing more of your stuff ^__^

Thanks for the reply! That's good to know!
I currently have 2 different sets of balls, 1 exact and 1 about 0.5mm smaller than the socket prepared. Personally I don't mind either sanding or thickening the balls to fit but I'm not sure if that's acceptable if I actually release it for the public.

For the polished option, will it affect all surfaces of the parts uniformly? I can see them buffing the outer surface but what about the hard to reach places like the inside of the socket?

Updated my sword @ http://shpws.me/oAlC
Still haven't tested it but I'm fairly certain this would print ok...



Also added something new @ http://shpws.me/oCmW

Not sure if I should make another thread for them...

Incedius wrote:
Thanks for the reply! That's good to know!
I currently have 2 different sets of balls, 1 exact and 1 about 0.5mm smaller than the socket prepared. Personally I don't mind either sanding or thickening the balls to fit but I'm not sure if that's acceptable if I actually release it for the public.

For the polished option, will it affect all surfaces of the parts uniformly? I can see them buffing the outer surface but what about the hard to reach places like the inside of the socket?

The polishing process is basically they print out the object in WSF then toss it into a large rock tumbler with some polishing stones to grind off the outer layer of material. It's never the same thing twice and can sometimes leave your balls uneven.. (I know that doesn't sound right but how else to say it??) I tend to work on a ridiculously tiny scale so I've had no end of problems when it comes the polishing process messing up my joints. I've found it better to go larger and sand off if you need to. Of course it's always best for your customers if they don't have to modify things at all.

Incedius wrote:

Updated my sword @ http://shpws.me/oAlC
Still haven't tested it but I'm fairly certain this would print ok...



Also added something new @ http://shpws.me/oCmW

Not sure if I should make another thread for them...

That's a pretty neat idea, the shield

On this site, yeah I create a new thread for each item. Mainly because whomever is handling the Creative Spotlight for the week only looks for new threads, not looking for new things in existing threads. So if you want them to get listed there, go w/ a thread for each. ^__^

Thanks again for the replies!

I can't send PMs yet so I just want to say my thanks here for your suggestion in it.

wulongti wrote:On this site, yeah I create a new thread for each item. Mainly because whomever is handling the Creative Spotlight for the week only looks for new threads, not looking for new things in existing threads. So if you want them to get listed there, go w/ a thread for each. ^__^

Not true! We trail through all of them, but things sometimes escape.

If you want to make one thread for your own productions, just update the title like Tresob does for his Kreon upgrades.

Va'al wrote:Not true! We trail through all of them, but things sometimes escape.

If you want to make one thread for your own productions, just update the title like Tresob does for his Kreon upgrades.

I've been schooled! Sorry Va'al, now I know better. :/