Blog Post #11: Fabricating for a Function, Part 3

The 3D printing process was a bit challenging. I uploaded the STL file to FSU's 3DPrinterOS site and configured it using the settings we were given in class. Despite my careful design of the table-top towel rack to try to keep it within the constraints of the print bed size, I still got a warning that it exceeded the print bed size. I ended up having to scale it to only 85% of the original size.

Another challenge was that even though I used the exact settings that were recommended, the print job was estimated to take just over 6 hours, and I was aware there is a 5 hour per day printing limit. I called the Innovation Hub and spoke with Mason who confirmed all the settings I had used were the recommended ones. He adjusted my allotment to allow for the printing time. I also coordinated with him to make sure I selected a printer that didn't currently have any jobs on the queue so that he could start the job printing for the day before leaving, in hopes that it will be ready for me to pick up in the morning.

Later the next day...

The print job finished without incident and my table-top towel rack was ready for me to pick up today. Here is a picture of it on Mom's sink... 

And here are pictures of my table-top towel rack with hand towels and washcloths on it...

It is definitely small, but it does the job it is intended to do and avoids having to drape hand towels over the edge of the sink like we were doing before (see below), so it solves the problem it is intended to solve...

I had to record my demo video twice because I didn't realize there was a 100 MB upload limit on Blogger. Here is my first video demonstrating the fabricated object doing the job it was intended to do...

And here is a video of my Mom seeing it for the first time. A happy client means my project was successful! 😊