3D printing model buildings

STEP 2: Identify and remove unnecessary elements such as furniture, trees, etc.

EXPORT FILE

STEP 1: Export the simplified drawing from Rhino as DWG

STEP 2: Import into Rhino

STEP 4: Start extruding and trimming until you get the outer shell.

STEP 5: Export as STL STEP 6: Mesh Analysis/Correction STEP 7: Import to PreForm

Note: If the model will be printed in several parts, split it before exporting as STL

THICKNESS WITH RHINO

Instead of parametrically controlling the thickness of components directly in the BIM file, you can also use the BoxEdit component in Rhino.

This allows you to simultaneously scale a number of elements with respect to their center lines. BoxEdit is ideal for models that need to be scaled parallel to three Cartesian axes. Non-uniform scaling is a little trickier.

For non-rectilinear geometries, we suggest converting the part to a mesh and then using the Weaverbird thicken command, which simply offsets any non-standard mesh geometry outward by a given distance. Alternatively, it is possible to "split" complex parts into surfaces and then offset them instead of importing volumes from Revit.

SELECTING SMALL GEOMETRIES WITH RHINO

Another valuable Rhino feature is the SelSmall command, which allows you to select all elements in the Stage that are smaller than a custom bounding box. You can then select those objects and use

BoxEdit for individual scaling or just remove them. This is useful when you are dealing with a file that does not have a well organized layer system.

Although performing a logical connection on all geometries is ideal, often the problem can be solved with simple overlapping geometries. PreForm will interpret them as one closed geometry in most cases, but be sure to check printability with the "slicer" tool in the right pane in PreForm

. CONTINUOUS / LOGICAL JOINT GEOMETRY

Note : PreForm is Formlabs free software that prepares your 3D model for printing in Form 2. Once the part is set up, you can save it as a FORM file for future use in preform.

COMPUTATION WORKFLOW

Although it is a less common workflow, computational design is slowly being introduced into mainstream architectural workflows. Software such as Grasshopper and Dynamo are used to create parametrically generated geometries that are often so complex that they can only be created with 3D printing.

Since geometries are already easy to manipulate, it's usually best to create a separate component that allows you to easily control the basic dimensions of all thin objects. In this case, it's a simple matter of trial and error; running the exported geometries with a print test (PreForm,

MeshMixer) and resizing until you arrive at a printable file.

Model Diagnosis

All workflows described below share a potential "generic diagnosis". This is an optional (but often necessary) step to ensure that the model is fully printable. Free programs such as Autodesk's MeshMixer and Netfabb are tools that allow you to repair, smooth, cavity, and split 3D print files.

MESH FIX

Formlabs PreForm software uses Netfabb's built-in mesh fix, so NetFabb and MeshMixer must be used for custom fixes or to preview problem spots in print. Materialize Magics is a great proprietary tool that covers the entire preprint workflow for a wide variety of printer types. The mesh patching software part is most important to the Form 2 print workflow and can save you a decent amount of preparation time. Netfabb has a beautiful built-in model cutter that allows you to effectively split and restore large files along any Cartesian plane.

SPLITTING THE MODEL

You can also split the model in NetFabb, which splits and fixes the split parts into printable volumes. In Rhino, you will need to close open volumes. Be sure to leave a tolerance of ~0.25mm between adjacent parts, this will allow them to be inserted without friction.

For more information on tolerances, see our white paper.

PREFORM SLICER

Architectural models are very detailed and it is often difficult to isolate each print issue. A combination of the above practices and mesh repair software is usually used for almost all problems, but it's always wise to use the PreForm Slicer tool to make sure there are no thin unsupported areas and enclosed volumes (such as rooms with no doors, elevator shafts, and parking spaces) .

“Building and architecture structures are not meant to be 3D printed, they are meant to be built. This creates problems of scale and complex geometry. By combining Netfabb's powerful mesh repair tools with the precision of the Form 2, you can prototype and visualize designs faster and in more detail, benefiting more for your business and speeding up your project's design review process. ”

Matt Lemay. Lead Enterprise Solutions Provider, Autodesk Customer Service

Post-Processing

Joining

The modeling strategy section of this booklet covers some ways of splitting and aligning parts together, but glue is always needed to securely join. Architectural parts are bonded in two main ways:

CYANOACRYLATE

Cyanoacrylate (CA or Super Glue) creates a fast, strong enough bond, ideal for small to medium sized parts. CA does not bond dirty surfaces well, so be sure to thoroughly clean the part before applying adhesive to the surface of the model.

POLYMER

For smaller prints, you can use liquid resin as a binder. Dispense a small amount of resin into the tray from a bottle or cartridge, use a dropper or syringe to lift it up, and place it on the surface of the part to be bonded.

Join parts and wipe off any excess resin that may be spilling around the edges. To cure the resin and bond the parts, use a 5 mW laser pen at 405 nm and point it at the bonding area around the parts.

This method creates a chemical bond, just as if the part had been printed on your SLA 3D printer, but only applies to small bonding surfaces because a low power laser pen cannot penetrate the model deep enough to create a strong bond .

FINISHING

Parts printed on Form 2, especially matte standard resins, have a smooth surface as soon as they exit the printer. However, visible areas with supports almost always require sanding. In addition, you can prime and paint parts in any desired color.

GRINDING

Sanding will help you remove the support marks and any remaining inaccuracies from your model. Start by carefully dry sanding the surface of the part using ~150 grit sandpaper to remove large support marks and smooth out the edges of the joint. Once the surface of the part is smooth, wet sand with 320mm sandpaper to remove any remaining layer lines. Move the sandpaper randomly to avoid grain formation.

In most cases these two steps will create a fairly even finish, but you can continue to increase the grit size of the sanding paper by a factor of 2 and wet sand the entire piece until the surface is smooth enough.

Once you have finished sanding your model, wash the model in soapy water to remove any dust or debris and dry thoroughly before proceeding to the last step.

The architectural models are very detailed and it is quite difficult to access certain areas with only sandpaper. You can use different sizes of nail files to get to problem areas of the model.

PRIMER AND PAINTING

Priming is required before parts are painted to ensure the paint adheres to the surface. Priming can also make it easier to find areas that require additional finishing. A quick spray of primer over the model makes the support marks very visible, so you can instantly identify areas that need additional sanding.

General plastic primer gray matt shows details very well. Apply it to surfaces in several thin layers for best results. Continue sanding in critical areas, reapply a light coat of primer and repeat this process until the entire part is smooth. Most spray paints work best in warm, slightly damp conditions with no airflow, but always check the specific paint or data sheet for manufacturer's recommendations.

“Models are becoming rarer in a field where photorealistic renderings and virtual reality technology are advancing, but physical models allow architects to test spatial qualities in ways that digital models cannot. If we weren't using a 3D printer, we would be forced to spend more time visualizing designs through renderings and drawings. Being able to get a physical model of a complex design straight from a 3D CAD model gives us several impressive looks in less time.”

Paul Choi

3D -ip in the architecture

Visual embodiment of

Protecting ideas, winning the business

How it works

Savings

Digital model of the building made the design more efficient, and 3D-flip mockups has given businesses opportunities that were previously only dreamed of.

3D digital modeling (BIM) is used today by half of the architectural companies in the world, and few argue with the fact that the advent of BIM has made a real revolution. Architects have finally got the perfect way to quickly, clearly, visually and accurately convey their ideas to the customer.

It's time to master the innovative technology of the presentation of the physical model. The physical model is much more complete than the picture on the monitor, allowing the customer to understand and feel the architectural design. The architect also needs both models: a digital 3D model is required to analyze the components of the project, and a physical model is required to effectively assess the details and scale. More importantly, the physical model allows architects to speak in a language understandable to the customer, even the most distant from architecture. The client, on the other hand, gets the opportunity to evaluate the project on an emotional level, to perceive it taking into account all the subtleties.

The art of making architectural models by hand is certainly worthy of all respect, but it is so laborious that the creation of such a model in itself becomes a separate project. First, the architectural drawings are handed over to the model maker, who embodies the overall concept in the material. This takes two to four weeks. If the project has successfully passed the approval, the layout is finalized without significant changes. If not, the architect has to make changes to the project and submit a new version of the model to the customer for approval. Often, the process of manufacturing a physical layout stretches for months, which disrupts the deadlines and jeopardizes the fate of the entire project.

In the rapidly changing world of digital modeling, relying on hand-made approximations is outdated and costly. Now, if the production of the layout was fast, inexpensive and more accurate, this would open up very wide possibilities! The same 3D model could be directly used in the workflow… Z Corporation 3D printers make these dreams come true.

Visualization

The introduction of Z Corporation's first 3D printer to print 3D physical models brought with it a host of new possibilities. No longer constrained by the high cost and size of prototyping machines, designers began to regularly use visual 3D mockups early in a project.

Morphosis, a Tom Mine Architecture Award-winning company accustomed to working only with cutting-edge technology, was among the first to adopt 3D printing. Morphosis CIO Marty Doscher talks about the company's headquarters in Eugene, Oregon: "We have two 3D printers here, and any project goes straight to 3D from day one. "

Tom might do a couple of sketches on paper, but the rest of the work is done in 3D and there are a lot of 3D prints throughout.

Protecting ideas, winning in business

“The human brain works in three dimensions, not two,” explains R. “Partha” Parthasarathy, owner of the iKix architectural bureau. “Architects and contractors have relied on 2D drawings for centuries. But no matter how accurate these drawings are, there is always a danger that the customer will interpret them incorrectly.

As an example, he gives a recent story with a residential complex with hundreds of buildings. The client was quite pleased with the drawings, but as soon as he saw the 3D layout, he was immediately worried about the too dense placement of buildings. To dilute this heap, the architect had to place a swimming pool and a fitness room in the center of the complex. One can only guess how much a belated solution to this problem would have cost the customer — say, when half of the complex would have already been built. .. Having a 3D layout saved the architect a lot of time, and saved the customer from huge expenses for changes in the complex already under construction...

Jerde Partnership purchased ZPrinter 310 Plus printers and now uses them in the development of any project - from a skyscraper to a kiosk. The ability to 3D print in the office allows you to make models very quickly, and in addition, create models that would simply be impractical to do manually.

Just a week after purchase, the ZPrinter 310 Plus helped win the Jerde Partnership's San Diego Coastal Landscape project. The detailed physics model showed how the Jerde project enhances the contours of the landscape while maintaining its overall style. Al Waas, deputy vice president and chief designer of the project, says that creating the same layout by hand would require a week of effort from an entire team of specialists. And with the help of the ZPrinter 310 Plus, the layout was printed in just half a day. “The more detailed the project, the more complex it is, the more benefits 3D printing provides,” Vaas notes. And he adds that the use of 3D printers gives an approximately twofold increase in productivity.

How it works

Z Corporation's 3D printers work with BIM file formats to create 3D physical layouts from composite powdered plaster.

Z Corp cuts a model from software such as Autodesk Revit or Autodesk 3ds Max into thousands of horizontal layers. The printer's print head then makes thousands of passes through the powder, leaving a liquid binder at the intersection points. Where this substance comes into contact with the powder, the latter quickly hardens. Thus, printing at a vertical speed of about one inch per hour, the printer deposits the material layer by layer and creates a finished layout from powdered plaster.

Z Corp 3D printers are unique: only they can make models in color. No other technology for creating 3D layouts provides such an opportunity. In addition, graphics and photographs can be applied to the model to further enhance the resemblance to the original.

Z Corp software allows you to go beyond the size of the build area. The layout of the building can be divided into parts, and ZEdit Pro will automatically add studs and holes to them for subsequent assembly almost flush.

Savings

While a handmade mockup can cost thousands of dollars, the same 3D printed layout from Z Corporation costs only $2-3 per cubic inch.

“For medium to large projects, the cost of making a mock-up pays off almost immediately,” said Scott Harmon, Vice President of Development at Z Corporation. — Often, the device itself pays off very quickly — for example, if at the very early stage of the project, thanks to the model, it was possible to detect a serious error or the company became the winner of the tender, presenting its project in the most advantageous light. While 3D building layouts are relatively new, the majority of our clients are architects, who get value from the printer from day one.”

Speed ​​and scalability

Where it took weeks to produce a medium-sized layout, a 3D printer can do it in less than 12 hours. Z Corporation inkjet 3D printers do not smoke, produce a minimum of waste, and the material remaining unused during the printing process is suitable for further use. Printers print at resolutions up to 600 dpi, scrupulously reproducing the smallest surface details.

The Z Corp line includes the ZPrinter 310 Plus black-and-white printer and three color devices: the ZPrinter 450, the Spectrum Z510, and the high-resolution ZPrinter 650.

it’s impossible to print models one on top of the other,” says Scott Harmon. “Z Corp printers are able to print as many layouts as they physically fit in the build area by having a thin layer of powder between them. ”

Not so long ago, the Realization Group was once again convinced of the benefits of mass printing on Z Corp printers. When its office in Coral Gables, Florida, ordered 100 copies of the layout for marketing purposes, Realization Group was able to complete the order in just two days—thanks solely to its ability to print multiple copies at the same time with no loss in accuracy, quality, or reliability.

Along with the benefits of speed and affordability, a 3D printer is of particular value to aspiring architects. The use of 3D printing at an early stage of design allows you to quickly gain valuable experience, protecting both the architect and customers from costly mistakes caused precisely by a lack of experience.

Thanks to Z Corporation's 3D printers, which produce architectural models much cheaper and faster than by hand, 3D printing can now be applied early in the design process, making the entire process more efficient.

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