3D printing: one year in
2024/9/28
As I have explained in my previous writing, I first became interested in 3d printing after seeing it at work in the STEM lab at school. I decided to purchase one for myself, and soon after, I printed my first piece: a little boat. Half a year later, today, the printer still doesn’t get much rest; do you know how many things a 3d printer could make? I already have a shelf of 3D printed objects ranging from extendable swords to a usable Bluetooth mouse (which wires were taken off another Bluetooth mouse)
One of my favorite printed objects is a compound bow from the game the Legend of Zelda. The creator of that 3d model meant it to be a cool miniscule toy to set on your desk, but I wanted it to be more than that. I wanted it to be an actual bow. And this is when I started editing or even creating models for myself.
I started by enlarging the model. To make it seem like an actual-sized bow, I had to magnify the model by 5 times on each dimension. Guess how long the model took to print. I’ll tell you: a total of 21 hours. Of course, the pieces were printed gorgeously, and I decided that it was a success-until I tried to put them together. I ended up having to drill multiple holes and used up all my hot glue sticks, resulting in a something that resembled a prehistoric bow dug out of a cave.
Despite the challenges of assembling the bow, my determination only grew stronger. I realized that if I wanted to be able to personalize models, or even start one from scratch, I needed a 3D modeling software. That’s when I decided to dive into SolidWorks.
I started by looking at online tutorials, which almost always labeled themselves as “beginner” or “easy”. Despite that, I couldn’t understand anything. To make things worse, the software's interface looked like nothing but piles and clusters of options which when pressed revealed more options. However, as I navigated through its features, I discovered tools that allowed precise control over every edge and corner of my design. With the assistance of my father (who used to design 3D models in college), I gradually learned to create 2D outlines, which could then be extended or spun into 3D shapes
With this new ability, I decided to tackle the challenge of redesigning the videogame bow. This time, I aimed to create a model that not only looked great but also functioned properly. I broke down the design into components, making sure to leave a few millimeters of space between objects to prevent them from sticking together due to precision problems (guess how did I know). I then tried to assemble the parts using another function, and it proved successful.
After finalizing the new design, I prepared the 3D model for printing. Once all the pieces were printed, I tried a new strategy. I used a combination of screws and glue, which resulted in a sturdy and functional structure. When I finally strung it up, I felt a surge of pride. What started as a downloaded digital model of a toy is now into a realistic-looking artwork that I could display or even use.
Learning SolidWorks not only improved my 3D printing projects, but also opened up new ideas for me. I realized that the possibilities are endless—whether it’s delicate designs for cosplay, useful tools, or a box of plastic threads (in the case of a failed print). With each project, I became more confident in my abilities, and I’m excited to see where this journey will take me next.