Fill (infill) patterns for FDM-prints without closed volumes

3D Printing 3D Printers
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1

Hello guys,

I need to print a 3d part on fdm printer (makerbot2) and fill it with epoxy with metal powder (so that it has a specific density). The problem which appears - all of the fill patterns I have seen build closed volumes inside, so you cannot fill with epoxy the whole volume of part. And with 0% fill the model cannot be printed because there should be some supports for top layers inside part.

Do you know any software, which can build some irregular fill patterns so they dont make closed volumes or which can build supports inside part (best would be automatically)?

Thank you in advance

2

Hi Dima,

You can select the infill density and type in the makerbot print software. Although you will need some infill for the print to work you could try set it at low percentage. If this is not working you could shell your object in the CAD software you made it in and design your own internal supports.

Hope this helps,

Sasha

E8 Make

3

Use Simplify 3d to make a part with rectilinear infill for 10 -20 layers at 45 degrees and 10-20 layers at -45 degrees. You might need to use multiple processes that start and stop at different heights. But there will be gaps that your “fill” could flow through. Either that or model your infill inside the object with spaces for things to flow. That being said - your suggestion is difficult to implement. You might have better luck adding metal slugs (or possibly metal powder) to spots modeled in your print (with set pause heights) and then when it has hit a certain height, you add your density adding ingredient, then resume printing.

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4

Hi Dima,

Feel free to send us the file and we will see if we can do anything to help you (with no charge)

Thanks
Lingan

5

you need to create your model/part as a shell and increase print shell détente #

also add in post filling hole to your model /part

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6

Hi Dilma

Try choosing a low infill percentage and the rectilinear infill pattern. You will see that the “Infill Angle Offsets” at your right, will appear with the values of 45Âș / -45Âș degrees; remove one of them and add different values (like 10Âș / -50Âș / 72Âș) so you create a irregular infill.

7

You might want to put in your own internal support columns or do it via Mesmixer after leaving an opening on the bottom. Since you will be filling it, you don’t need it to have normal infill for compressive strength. Having individual branhing tree type supports that meshmixer can do will make it easy for your fill material to flow into the spaces.

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