CAD file 3D printing question

[CPDDET]

This subject is way out of my sandbox but hoping I can gain some insight.

I have a CAD file for some ships parts. This file was created by someone else but they have made it available for anyone online. 

The file is for 3d printing of several parts of Hemingways fishing boat, Pilar. 

However his build was for 1/12 scale pieces and my build will be either 1/24 or 1/27. 

 

Can the person, or company, 3d printing these resize them if I tell them the scale or percent size needed?

 

Is there a source that can be recommended for the actual 3d printing service?

 

Here in image of the pieces I need to have printed. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Dr PR]

Resizing 3D CAD files is easy. Most (all) CAD programs have scaling functions, and I am pretty sure any 3D printing company can do it.

 

You can even do it on you home PC using free software if you are so inclined.

 

Most likely the 3D files contain scaling information for the size the pieces were originally modeled in (1:12). But even if this wasn't available if you know the desired finished size of some piece - such as the helm (steering wheel) - they can resize the file to produce parts of the desired size.

 

There is a catch to resizing 3D print parts. If you go to a smaller size some of the thinner parts may become too small to print. On the other hand making tiny parts larger may result in really clunky and badly proportioned parts. Check the smallest diameter of the original 1:12 pieces you want to print and halve it for 1:24. Then check with the printing company's minimum dimensions requirements.

 

For example, the outer rim of the automobile style steering wheel in your photo looks to be the smallest diameter part in your photo. Be sure it isn't too small to print at 1:24 or 1:27.

[TJM]

Also, be sure not to scale the supports, at least if you do resin 3D printing. They will quickly become too small and the print will fail as the (weak) supports are ripped off the piece. A print service should be able to re-scale and add new supports that fits the new scale.

[Kevin-the-lubber]

That doesn’t look like a ready-to-print object, there are nowhere near enough supports. It looks more like a resin casting. Not that this would make too much difference, the model can be cleaned up a bit before printing if necessary. This will be easier if you have the actual CAD file but is still do-able if it’s the print file (usually called an STL).

 

In terms of getting the printing done, I have no first hand knowledge of printing companies in the states, but All3DP gives a rundown of the top companies, on their site. They may have a vested interest of course. You might find it worth asking here, via a new topic, as there’s a growing army of people with printers, or have a look on eBay. Here in the uk there are a few people that offer a service via eBay, probably much cheaper than the big names.

[CPDDET]

OK, looks like I'm going to take a step back and ask for some help.

 

First off I don't have a way to open the STEP file to see what's in it. At this point I'm assuming that the file is actually for the parts pictured in my original post. So lets start there.

 

Can anyone suggest a program (hopefully a free one) that will allow me to open the file or is anyone willing to open the file for me to see exactly what's in it? I could email the file to anyone who would be willing do this.

 

Dave

[Kevin-the-lubber]

Dave, I don't mind doing that for you. At the least, I'll convert it into STL format and you can then open that in TinkerCad https://www.tinkercad.com/login which is probably the easiest form of CAD for a beginner, and have a look for yourself. Just send it via messaging or attach it here.

[CPDDET]

Pilar v291.step

[Kevin-the-lubber]

What you've got here is a very nice 3D model of the whole boat at 36 inches long, give or take a bit. There are 579 different parts, which I'm attaching in the zip. On my PC, I have a preview pane in my file explorer, which would allow you to go through the unpacked zip more quickly. I have to dash now but will follow up later.

 

Pilar v291 Bodies.zip

[CPDDET]

Was able to unzip and open files in FreeCad program. Will follow up later with a few more questions.

[Kevin-the-lubber]

I thought I recognised this - the Patrick Matthews build, yes? The photo you showed, from Patrick's build log, is almost certainly of resin cast parts but these can just as easily be printed. As you're in FreeCad, find them and export them as STL's and they'll be good to print. The upper steering wheel is going to be pretty skinny at 1:24, about 1mm sectional diameter. But still perfectly printable.

[CPDDET]

5 minutes ago, Kevin-the-lubber said:

I thought I recognised this - the Patrick Matthews build, yes? The photo you showed, from Patrick's build log, is almost certainly of resin cast parts but these can just as easily be printed. As you're in FreeCad, find them and export them as STL's and they'll be good to print. The upper steering wheel is going to be pretty skinny at 1:24, about 1mm sectional diameter. But still perfectly printable.

Yes, Pat's scratch build. Can I use the STL's you sent me?

I plan on my build being at a smaller scale. In your opinion, how much smaller of a scale is possible to get these parts made? Pats model is 1:12 scale.

[Kevin-the-lubber]

As Pat has made this freely available you should be free to use the STL's. Attached are the wheels, scaled down to 1:24 & 1:27. It's a little hard to say for sure how small you could go without first knowing the thickness of the thinnest part, but a quick run through suggests he used 1/16" as a typical diameter and thickness for thin rods, planks and boards. If you go to 1:24 all of that will be 0.8mm which is slightly on the thin side but fine for a static model, possibly even okay for an RC once it's all assembled. If you scale down any further then it'll start to become a little fragile, especially for an RC. 

 

wheels.zip

[chris watton]

You may find it easier to rescale the parts once they're in STL format, and use the slicer program to scale.