Is it Possible to Print Around Metal Objects?

[Nicholas Flandin]

Hello everyone, I am new to 3D printing, and was wondering if it is possible to pause mid-print, put an insert into the print, then continue, and fully enclose the insert?  Thanks for reading this post, as well as for the very informative forum.

[delsydsoftware]

 As long as the metal insert doesn't stick up above the last layer printed (where it would hit the print head), it's very doable. I have put metal bells in homemade cat toys, and I've filled some models with sand mid-print to give them some weight. The Sailfish firmware offers a few pause options (standard pause, pause at Z position,etc) to make it easier.

[Laird Popkin]

+1 this.

Sailfish supports a Gcode command to pause at a specific height, so if you put that at the beginning of your geode file, it'll print that far, pause, then you fill the object and resume the print.

http://jettyfirmware.yolasite.com/v74-v44.php#zpos

[yournam...@yahoo.com]

One thing to be careful for is to make sure you have adequate bridging. I tried to print a penny operated bottle opener and I waited until there was a cavity large enough for the penny and I dropped it in. The next layer was supposed to print directly over the top of the penny but for whatever reason (temperature differential?) The next layer refused to lay down over the copper and instead all of the lines being drawn over it were loose and sticking up. It reminded me of oil and water, the way they repel each other

[Wingcommander]

I do it all the time - tapping in metal stringers to reinforce parts. Have a look at the 3rd photo in the link below.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:161832

You just have to print up to the level of the metal object, insert it, and then print over it.

I have also done something similar with pen inserts - embedding them inside the print.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:131840

[Gregory Sullivan]

Captive nuts , cat toys

[Erik Mendoza]

Simply, Yes.

Just as everyone has stated, you have to make sure you are on the correct layer, (at least the top of the object when inserted).

I have even done this with magnets. Take a look at these:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:191996

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:188964

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:188956

This is SLIGHTLY trickier, I had to add a dab of superglue to hold the magnet, as they are strong enough to jump up to the bar.