Python Turtle Graphics for 3D Printing

As we've seen in previous posts on Turtle Patterns and Turtle Shapes moving your turtle around the screen is done by simple dictional commands and angled turns.

A similar process happens in 3D printing with DIY plastic extrusion hardware, such as Rep Rap, RepRap Pro and Makerbot.

Here the 3D printing extrusion nozzle is moved in a particular direction and for a specific length, before it halts and waits for a new instructions.

So, we could use Python Turtle code to simulate a 3D printing layer. Then put it into a repeating loop to create multiple layers. This loop could subtly change the direction and length commands to build quite complex and intricate shapes.

Here's a video of a Turtle code driven 3D printer in action.

The video was part of this 3D Printing presentation at the IPSJ Summer Programming Symposium in 2014.

The presentation also included a 3D Printer Turtle Graphics Python module and a code example of the module in use.

More Raspberry Pi Python Coding Tutorials

Affordable 3D Printing in Nexus Magazine

The April/May edition of the Nexus magazine has published a rewritten and slightly shorter version of my Affordable 3D Printing article.

Though shorter it still covers five pages and contains:
- overview of 3D printing concepts and history
- 3D printer anatomy
- 3D materials science and thermoplastic polymers
- significant developments and applications
- low cost desktop 3D printers
- potential impact of these affordable 3D printers

Here's an extract from the article:

A basic 3D printer is uncomplicated in both design and operation. Typically it’s a cuboid frame supporting a print bed which moves in a vertical orientation, forming the Z axis. Above this bed, motorised arms propel the printhead in an X and Y axis motion. The printhead guides and heats the print material, which is extruded onto the print platform, rather like ‘hot glue’.

How big is this cuboid shape? Well, that’s really dependent on the items to be printed. Small items only need a small printer - one which takes up no more space than a inkjet paper printer. For larger items the whole assembly is scaled-up, as exemplified by a number of initiatives looking into printing full sized buildings. Even with industrial sized construction and a printhead gantry running on rails, these machines are instantly recognisable as big brothers to the desktop 3D printer.

A 3D printer’s on-board computing requirements are pretty basic too. Being more akin to a motorised calculator there's just a few circuit boards, and a PC connection port to receive a multi-layered 3D digital model. Once a model is received, printing a layer simply involves controlling the flow of material and the printhead's X and Y motion. After each layer it will move the Z axis print platform according to the previously specified print resolution.

The processing power and software required to create 3D digital models can be provided by the powerful computing devices we already own. Harnessing our existing computing resources helps to keep down the start-up costs, and there's already a large choice of commercial and open source 3D modelling applications. Widespread 3D printer adoption would encourage software developers to create additional innovative applications, some of which could be targeted at tablet and smartphone devices.

This international magazine is available from your local W.H. Smiths, and the article itself can be purchased online from this page.

3D Printing In The News

My four page article, uncovering some of the most innovative and intriguing 3D printing news stores of 2011, is published in this week's Micro Mart magazine (issue 1192).

The wide-ranging list of applications includes architect's models, designs in chocolate, nylon bicycles, a UAV plane, and a collection of pioneering bio-engineering successes - such as printed blood vessels. Plus there's a look at some of the latest desktop 3D printing hardware and software for the DIY enthusiast.

Here's a couple of extracts from the article:

The eminent Radio 4 In Business programme presenter Peter Day covered the rise of 3D printing in manufacturing (goo.gl/XTxIr). It contrasted the difference between old-fashioned 'subtractive engineering' and the new Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) approach, which is based on 3D printing technology.

Using traditional subtractive methods rough blocks of raw material are moulded, machined and finished. It requires factory space, expensive tooling and can be a time consuming process. Invariably, much of the original material is discarded to create the final product.

An ALM process requires far less material. It builds up the final shape in a single process, fabricating a multitude of individual layers in a precise, computer-controlled pattern. The raw material can be metallic, ceramic or plastic powder, which is fused together by a precisely focussed laser in the printhead. The finished artefact is retrieved from the unfused powder, rather like pulling a child's toy from a sand pit.

March 2011 saw a news story on 'printed' bicycles from EADS, an organisation better known as owner of hi-tech manufacturing companies such as Airbus aircraft and Astrium satellites.

Called the 'AirBike' (because Airbus originally developed this technology) it's constructed in a factory next to the Airbus site at Filton. EADS use an ALM process similar to the one highlighted by Peter Day's programme. The print materials they use are powders based on metals such as titanium, stainless steel or aluminium, along with nylon and carbon-reinforced plastics, which are all manipulated at the molecular level.

To demonstrate their engineering prowess the complete cycle is fabricated in a single step operation. A dramatic process where a complete, fully operational bike is fused together within the powder - wheels, bearings, axle, saddle and all. The result is a cycle that's around 65% lighter than a traditionally manufactured alternative, yet just as strong. And one that only uses around one-tenth of the materials normally required.

Download the free Micro Mart iPad/iPhone app and purchase the magazine for only £1.49.

Affordable 3D Printing

Today Micro Mart magazine issue 1142 published my Affordable 3D Printing article.

It's a seven page feature which explores the following areas :-
- overview of 3D printing concepts and history
- 3D printer anatomy
- 3D materials science and thermoplastic polymers
- significant developments and applications
- low cost desktop 3D printers (such as RepRap and Makerbot)
- potential impact of these affordable 3D printers

It certainly was quite a different topic to explore, and proved to be a particularly interesting subject to research and write about.
Issue 1142 will be available until 2nd February, and is still just £2.