Saroj Manandhar, MatterHackers’ June Hacker of the Month, shares his secrets and techniques to reaching the modern, detailed prints all of us crave.
Saroj Manandhar, an Engineering Supervisor at The Toro Firm, first discovered about 3D printing when he attended a tradeshow in 1999, the place he set his eyes on a Stratasys FDM 3000. Proper then and there, he knew he needed to have one.
He got down to procure one for his firm as quickly as potential. “My aim was to combine 3D printing in our growth course of in hopes of saving money and time,” mentioned Manandhar, including that “in lower than a month, we had been utilizing the FDM 3000 across the clock to print our prototypes in a matter of hours moderately than the standard technique of creating molds that may have taken us a number of weeks and value fifty occasions extra.”
Since then, Manandhar’s firm has procured a number of different giant FDM printers, and so they have not regarded again since: “we develop our merchandise totally using 3D printed components. It additionally helps that 95% of our parts are plastic. We proceed to avoid wasting nicely over $250,000 in tooling yearly and lower down on growth time by 10 – 6 weeks per undertaking.”
Entranced by what 3D printing might accomplish, Manandhar waited for the day when 3D printers grew to become extra reasonably priced so he might start to work on some private initiatives. “I’ve at all times needed my very own 3D printer for a very long time,” states Manandhar, “and with the 3D printers now being extra reasonably priced, I lastly procured two Airwolf HD printers in 2014.”
With loads of follow utilizing Solidworks, Manandhar started designing his first print for pleasure: Ironman. “I thought-about it a private problem to mannequin the complete Ironman go well with,” claims Manandhar, “it took me a number of weeks to finish the mannequin and some extra weeks to print the components within the Airwolf and FDM printers.”
With outcomes like this, we would say it was positively definitely worth the wait.
Ironman MK17
So, what’s his secret to producing prints that appear to be they have been solid?
Step 1: Use an automotive filler/primer to coat the prints. Manandhar makes use of Dupli-color automotive primer.
Ironman MK42 – Top 46″
Step 2: Sand the surfaces. 200 – 300 grit sand paper is advisable.
Millennium Falcon
Step 3: Paint the components in your required coloration. Dupli-Shade and Rust-Oleum paint works nicely.
Robo Cop – ED-209
Step 4: Coat the print in 2-3 layers of clear polyurethane. Manandhar makes use of Rust-Oleum clear coat.
Hyperlink – The Legend of Zelda
Manandhar has printed loads of profitable fashions utilizing the above steps, at each his dwelling and at work. Due partly to his glorious prints, he hopes that 3D printing will proceed to develop into extra areas and develop into extra accessible: “I consider that our era has the duty to organize the following era in 3D printing – each faculty and faculty ought to tailor programs in ‘Speedy Fabrication’ and supply funding to maintain this system.”
“With the fast advances in 3D printing of not solely plastic, however different supplies equivalent to steel, carbon fiber, meals, organic, and even building supplies,” confirms Manandhar, “there isn’t a doubt that 3D printing will influence the best way we dwell sooner or later.”
We could not agree extra.
Do you suppose you have got what it takes to be our subsequent Hacker of the Month? Merely observe us on Fb/Twitter or e mail media@matterhackers.com. Inform us about your undertaking or 3D printed creation, and you might be featured in our subsequent e-newsletter. Hacker of the Month may even win 3 free spools of PRO collection PLA or ABS filament to additional their pursuit of 3D printing greatness.