Dual Extrusion Setup with SolidWorks (Any Tips?)

[Jesse Vanderhoff]

I've been messing around with getting SolidWorks to play nice and setup some dual extrusion prints. So far I've tried inserting a part into an existing part and then hiding one part or the other while saving as separate .stl files in order to get the dual extrusion componets. The problem is that when I drop the parts into makerware I'm asked to move the parts to the build platform and when I do they do not line up. Even upon initial drop if I decide to not line up the parts do not line up. 

I've attached the original part file and two .stl files in case anyone feels like taking a look. 

Thanks all. 

[Tad]

Hi Jesse,

I'm not a SolidWorks expert but it seems to me that your part file is seriously messed up. It would be much easier for you to set things up for dual extrusion using 2 solids rather than this surface and 1 solid only.

I believe that in your current SLDPRT file you have placed your object too far from "origin" and that's why its not showing up in MakerWare (and you need to perform "place it on the platform" command). I suggest that you should start experimenting with 2 simple solids first to figure out how to do the dual extrusion design. 

Once again - my SolidWorks knowledge is very limited but I have already designed and printed some simple dual extrusion objects.

Cheers,

Tad

[Federico Boldori]

i proceed in this way with dualstrusion and solidworks:

i make and assembly with 2 part file: 1 for 1 extruder, 1 for the other.

Then i save in STL the assembly with the aggregation off (in stl options when you save)

So i have 2 stl generated, 1 for each part file and this 2 stl have the same origin, so in makerware they are imported correctly. For moving them i press CTRL+A in makerware and i move all togheter. Then always selecting all i can click move to platform and center without messing up with the origin or have the parts moved.

[Cary Andrae]

I use Solidworks to do my 3D modeling. I think if you are missing the stl file when importing unless you indicate move to plateform is because you have made your model in solidworks not at the origin point. Instead of doing everything in one part and hiding and save as, do it as separate part and do an assembly. From the assembly you can put all the parts together and save as stl format. In the setting option, let it create separate stl files for each part. Once in makerware, add in the base and then the logo. When ask to move to plateform, select keep position. Once you add the parts and keep position, the parts will be added and in the correct space on the model. Once you have all the parts added in, ctrl A and select all the parts. Do a rotation if necessary and then select the move and on platform and center. 

This should be able to solve the importing problem. However, best to start doing your models at the origin point in solidworks. This also applies to the assembly as well. However, looking at your design, my recommendation is to print the 2 parts separately and stick on the logo. The logo when you print as a stand alone piece, for the side which is facing you in the final assembly, flip that side to be on the build plate so that when finished printing, that side which contact the build plate will have a glossy finish. This way when you stick onto the namecard holder it can have a glossy flat finish. 

regards

cary

[Jesse Vanderhoff]

Federico- Bingo! Thank you for the help. That worked wonderfully. 

[Ken Hecker]

Jesse, the main thing to remember is that you HAVE to have the Origin of both parts in the same place, relative to each other.  Obviously from how your Logo buried itself in the Holder, they were not.  Then it is a simple thing to just drop them to the Platform, and then Center.  They should align automatically.   Like Cary I use SolidWorks exclusively for modeling.  I was concerned when a recent part ended up with a lot of holes (when checked with netfabb), but I just did a very complicated model, including two parts Mated before the .SLDASM was Saved As an .SLT, and it came out completely clean in netfabb.  I'm running it as a 20 hour print right now.  Not a two extruder object per se, but the Left Extruder is getting a workout applying the HIPS support.  Just wanted to give a plug for SolidWorks, as it does Booleans so well (even if DSS won't call them Booleans).

Ken

[Ken Hecker]

Oops!  Can't open it.  I'm using SolidWorks 2006, and all I get is "Future Version"  Obviously some features added in the last seven years.  First time I've run into that.

Ken