Monthly Archives: December 2019

CAD: ScriptCAD.org Prototype (2019/12)

Around February 2019 I bootstrapped a scripted CAD environment named “ScriptCAD”, and resembles closely to OpenSCAD.org and OpenJSCAD.org (which I co-developed for a couple of years) with a new take, developed from scratch:

ScriptCAD.org: ScriptCAD Logo 2019/11
  • Scripting capability using JavaScript
  • Separate internal representation from display representation
    • Triangulation or Implicit representation
    • only triangulate at late stage at display or export
ScriptCAD.org Internal Stages
  • Intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI)
    • Simple export various formats
    • Select top-level solids
    • Source <-> TreeView <-> 3D Model selection
Select Source <-> TreeView Item <-> 3D Model

The transparent Source vs Object Tree vs 3D Space has been in the back of my mind for a long time as I keep the connection of each stage intact and transparent.

  • Ease of use
    • hiding JS module complexity and notions
    • Browser use (either use built-in editor or drag-n-drop source with autoreload)
    • Command Line Interface (CLI) use

Screenshots & Examples

SpiritCAD.org Online as Preview

As of November 2019, ScriptCAD.org is reachable as an early preview (alpha stage), most examples work, some do not yet or display wrong output.

Note: there is only limited documentation yet (2019/11), and the API is subject of changes.

I still tune it to my use-cases and therefore API and overall design of the API might change, even drastically; once the API becomes more stable I will release the source code as well.

Some of use-cases (as seen in the gallery above):

  • coding low-level Gcode and use ScriptCAD to preview (render) Gcode including colors, scriptcad (CLI) outputs .gcode to actually print
    • testing single layer color mixed 3D Printing: forms, color mixing
  • ScriptCAD uses ThreeCSG/csg.js at its core to perform CSG operations, which can be very slow – hence, designing complex pieces can be slow as every change recomputes all again (I like to avoid this in future developments) yet as of 0.3.2 basic caching is implemented so only deltas are recomputed.

Introduction Video

The on-going development I document also. That’s it.

Misc: Formnext 2019 Videos

A few worthwhile videos done by 3DMN (3D Maker Noob), Vector 3D (Adam) and others at Formnext 2019. I will update this post as more interesting videos become available.

  • 2019/12/11: added 3DMN Trilab DeltiQ 2 video
  • 2019/12/02: added Joel’s (3D Printing Nerd) Formnext 2019 video

3DMN: BCN3D Epsilon

BCN3D Epsilon by BCN3D:

  • build volume: 420 x 300 x 400mm
  • dual independent extruders / printheads (IDEX)
  • price: 7000 EUR

3DMN: Craftbot’s Flow Generation

Craftbot Flow Generation:

  • dual independent extruders / printheads (IDEX)
  • build volume: 425 x 250 x 250-400mm
  • price: 3200-4000 EUR (plus VAT)

3DMN: Trilab DeltiQ 2 (Delta)

Trilab DeltiQ 2 (Delta) specifications:

  • build volume: 250mm diameter with 300m height
  • bowden style, optionally direct drive style setup (Trilab FlexPrint)
  • price: 2600 EUR (minimal configuration)

Vector 3D: Continuous Carbon Fibre by Anisoprint

Anisoprint mixes Nylon, PC, PLA, TPU and PETG with carbon fibres (CCF) in their continueous 3D printing procedure.

Vector 3D: Dyze Design & Craftbot

Dyze Design: High volume printing from pellets with 1-5mm large nozzles.
Craftbot: Briefly discusses “Craftbot Flow Generation” 3D printer series, not very informative (sales talk).

Vector 3D: More of Formnext 2019

  • Tiertime X5 by Tiertime: automatic bed switching
  • Prusa Mini by Prusa Research: low cost Prusa printer at 380 EUR
  • Phrozen by Phrozen3D: DLP printer
  • Raise E2 by Raise3D: dual independent printheads (IDEX)
  • BuildTak: build sheets / platforms
  • The Box by BLB Industries : really printing big > 1000mm with 1-14mm nozzles with pellets

Vector 3D: Best of Formnext 2019: FL 300 by FuseLAB

FL 300 Revolving Extruder

Adam from Vector 3D select the FL 300 by FuseLAB as “best of”:

  • revolving filament extruder (proprietary, patent pending)
  • dual printheads
  • price ~7000 EUR

It surely is an interesting design, but I wonder what this additional complexity adds in actual print quality.

3DNatives: Top 5 (Industrial) 3D Printers

  1. AM Polar i2 by DP Polar: rotating platform
  2. C3600 Ultimate by 3DCeram: ceramic printing
  3. Meltio M450 by Meltio: metal powder & wire printing
  4. T3500 by Tractus3D: huge delta, FDM
  5. LASERTEC 125 BY DMG Mori: 5 axis milling combined with direct energy deposition

3DNatives: Top 5 3D Printing Applications

  1. 3D printed boat by Autodesk, endless fiber & resin
  2. 3D printed car by BAC & DSM, carbon fiber & graphine
  3. 3D printed robot by 3DGence: PEEK, Nylon and PLA
  4. 3D printed bike by VMR: SLM metal printing
  5. 3D printed dinosaur by Lincsolution: SLA printed

igus: 3D Printed Wear Parts

igus: more infomercial, yet informative: wear resistant filament / prints (e.g. gears) with their own polymer mixture called “iglidur”, optionally also food save.

3D Alliances: Xact Metal

XM200C by Xact Metal:

  • SLM (Selective Laser Melting), metal powder based
  • build volume: 127 x 127 x 127mm
  • price 90K EUR (considered low-cost 2019/12)

3D Printing Nerd: Formnext 2019

  • Craftbot Glow Generation: closer look at dual independent extruders (IDEX)
  • DyeMension: eye wear with powder bed printing (SLS) and other applications
  • Raise3D: Raise3D E2 also IDEX
  • Desktop Metal: Desktop Metal Fiber contineous carbon fiber mixed with polymer, priced at 35K USD / year; Desktop Metal Shop System, binder jetting at 1600dpi (SLS)
  • BCN3D: closer look to Epsilon (IDEX) also presenting their BCN3D Cura with cloud printing
  • Loctite: resins and bonding polymers

That’s it.