Replicating and Printing an Object in CAD
June 9th, 2012
Sandbox
![CAD drawing](/replicating-an-object/tripod_head_cover.png)
My DIY slider needs a standard 1/4” bolt to mount, but the one on my tripod was too short so I took some measurements and printed another plate. The plate is a quick-release clamp-on type, which is relatively small and easy to print.
![Original object](/replicating-an-object/tripod_head_1.jpg)
Normally with art sculptures, the object is scanned with a 3d scanner then cleaned up in a CAD program. The plate however is very geometric and ‘boxy’, so I modelled it directly. The CAD package I use is Rhinoceros 4 because it is free through my school.
CAD model
![CAD outline](/replicating-an-object/tripod_head_2.png)
Base profile of the plate.
![](/replicating-an-object/tripod_head_3.png)
Base profile extruded and the clamp profile drawn.
![Side view](/replicating-an-object/tripod_head_5.png)
Clamp extruded and chamfers added.
printing in ABS
I used ABS for this instead of PLA because it is supposedly better for mechanical parts. What surprised me was how much it shrunk. The whole thing shrunk almost 2mm (~3%), which made it a little loose on the tripod. If you are designing something for ABS, remember to calibrate your skeinforge settings or scale your stl file before you print.
![Printed object](/replicating-an-object/tripod_head_7.jpg)
Finished print off the printer.
![Comparison between old and new](/replicating-an-object/tripod_head_8.jpg)
High resolution images available here on Picasa.