The world of 3D printers is now included in the majority of production processes thanks to technological stability and the improvement of technical materials such as ABS. The fields of applications are endless: medical, construction, production, ceramics up to the world of sculpture.
In this case WASP realized a 4 meter by 2.5 meter sculpture in ABS with the Delta WASP 3MT industrial 4.0 3D printer.
3D Scanning
We started with a small sculpture of a stylized bull, which was later to be replicated on a monumental scale.
Let’s start with a 3D scan.
In this project we used the Artec Eva 3D scanner, a tool for acquiring objects using structured light. It is a process in which a luminous pattern is projected onto the surface of the piece that will determine the digital reconstruction of the subject.
The file obtained was resized by scaling it from 20cm to 400cm. To 3D print objects of this size you need a large 3D printer and a quick printing process.
Pellet extruder for ABS
The solution is the Delta WASP 3MT Industrial 4.0 3D printer, which thanks to its size is able to make objects up to 1 meter of print even in ABS. Furthermore, the possibility of printing with the pellet extruder, allows the use of nozzles with a diameter up to 3mm, and therefore print objects with a layer height 10 times higher than normal. .
This means that normally by printing with the classic filament and using nozzles with a diameter of 0.4mm, a 10-hour piece with the pellet extruder can be made in just 1 hour.
On the other hand, the possibility of reducing printing times by raising the layer height value inevitably creates a coarser surface, characterized by the various printing layers. For many in the design world it also becomes an aesthetic and design feature such as the Iride or the Bike Chair.
But we will see in the following chapters how to eliminate the various layers during post production. .
Continuous printing in ABS with Delta WASP 3MT Industrial 4.0
Once scaled the sculpture, through Meshmixer software it was divided into several parts to optimize the fabrication times. Four printers worked in sync producing 2 pieces per printer per day.
Thanks to the technical improvements we implemented on the Delta WASP 3MT industrial 4.0 3D printer, in 3 days the 25 pieces in ABS were ready to be assembled.
The 50kg pellet tank with auto power supply and the material end sensor allowed the printers to work 24 hours a day without ever stopping. The system essentially recognizes when the pellet is almost finished inside the extruder and automatically feeds itself.
3D sculpture: ABS is an excellent material for post production
As the printers finished producing the missing pieces, two WASP operators began assembling the parts already made.
The choice of the material to be printed is very important, especially in terms of end use:
should it be placed outdoors?
will it be subjected to heat sources?
will it have to withstand impacts or compressions?
In addition, the choice must also be made considering whether the finished product must be sanded, painted or otherwise subject to post-production processes .
The 3D printed sculpture in question had to be smooth, painted and placed in a garden, so the choice of ABS was the perfect solution for this application.
3D sculpture and post production: ABS Juice
A mixture of acetone and ABS granules (you can also use waste or ABS supports), was used as a glue between the various printed parts. .
The diluted ABS in acetone allows a perfect adhesion / fusion between the various sections making the sculpture a single solid object, resistant to heat and weathering. .
Moreover, if used as a filler, the mixture is perfect to even out the entire surface.
With a spatula, gloves and mask, getting to the smooth piece is a snap.
Finally sandpaper in hand and the sculpture is ready 😉
