test 3

Test 3
extruded from bitmap image
line weight 0.75, 1, 2 ,2.5pt
Opacity to height tests 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% - line weight:2pt
extrusion height 3mm (0.1mm z offset to remove base)
0.2qulity print setttings; Ultrafuse TPU 85a filament settings


A 2nd run on this was done with the paper spray glued to the bed and using the mk3 0.2quality setting and the original Ultrafuse TPU 85a settings that had shown good results on the initial test.

TPU filament 80% finished as the layer height increased further stringing was apparent. 0.2 quality ultrafuse filament settings.

Test 2

Test 2
extruded from bitmap image
line weight 0.75, 1, 2 ,2.5pt
Opacity to height tests 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% - line weight:2pt
extrusion height 3mm (0.1mm z offset to remove base)
Filaflex 82a Original Print and filament settings

Following the initial test with an extruded image, a benchmarking test was done to determine line weight/thickness of the image file and the correlation between the build height and line thickness of the printed object, with thinner lines being less stable when building up height.
The initial extruded file from a .png file had shown a lot of discrepencies due to the aliasing of the image in jpeg format. to counteract this the new file was created as a .bmp to remove anti aliasing.

For this test, the manufacturers print and filament settings were used. The initial print presented a large amount of stringing in the filament and was aborted due to the paper deforming, causing the nozzle to make contact with the paper and blurring the print.

test 1

Test 1
extruded .png file
extrusion height 5mm
recreus fila flex 85a filament
PRUSA i3 MK3S

I wanted to begin quickly before being overwhelmed with the steep learning curve of 3d printing to see what would happen and how it may work. Research had led me to try TPU flexible filament as a starting point and to use old screenprints on fabriano gran designo (hot pressed) paper for the initial tests.

The file was loaded into prusaslice sofware and a generic flexible filament profile already on the sofware was used as the manufacturers profile was not available.

Once the .stl file was load into the software it became apparent that the extrusion algorithm meant there was a solid plate the dimension of the image file – corresponding to the 0% (white) of the image. As this was not wanted, the file was offset by a arbituary number dropping the model into the bed.

Later testing concluded that offsetting the z access by -0.1mm in the world coordinates placed the white plate below the bed of the 3d printer leaving only the extruded lines sat on the bed height.

The paper substrate was taped down to the bed and the printer was calibrated for the base layer to accommodate the thickness of the paper [-0.587] before printing commenced.

First Test Results

2.5.3.what

As a printmaker I am interested in the intersection of new technology with ‘traditional’ printmaking technology, what is often termed post digital printmaking. This has played out in works that have utilised the lasercutter to laser engrave printing blocks; to engrave back into screenprints in a subtractive manner; The use of a Cricut to drawer hardground etching plates to transfer complex geometric imagery into what would traditionally be an autographic process. And the use of 3d printers to create relief blocks for printmaking.

Through the Cricut experiments and producing the work ‘Burial Mound’ my curiosity has been peaked by the translation from 3d captured imagery to 2d imagery and vice versa. my curiosity has been peaked by the translation from 3d captured imagery to 2d imagery and vice versa.

With these thoughts in mind i am looking to determine the plausibility of 3d printing onto analog printed substrates in an additive manner. The idea is to test how 3d printing elements could be incorporated directly on prints. This could be utilised to add relief elements onto wall based prints or to allow prints to be taken into a sculptural mode.

Initial research and a starting point was greatly aided by [blog post] regarding 3d printing raised braille signage and documents as an alternative to the more cost intense methods currently used.

My initial suppositions were based on a number of factors that included.

  • What would be the best type of filament?
    – theorising that PLA may be too rigid to build up on a flexible paper surface and how might the 3d printed element need or want to be flexible.
  • How would the filament bond to the substrate?
    – would printing onto a screenprint (using acrylic ink) aid the material adhesion to the substrate
  • What would the limitations of the file type be?
    – How fine a line could be printed and to what height.

My initial interest in creating 3d models is located in the translation of 2d imagery and extrusion, using software such as Cura and Blender. The accessibility and ease of use made Cura a good starting point to create basic extruded models from 2d imagery.