3D printing progress

[Airspeed]

Following a long trail of finding better photos, experiencing printer failures and electricity outages, and finding ways to overcome assembly issues, I've now got 3 examples of the Film Footage Indicator, AM ref 14A/3312.
I've been unhappy with the wedge plate finish, and am doing a "final" try with different settings. Today's effort failed badly, so I have to watch the printer in action to see where the problem lies.
Meanwhile, here are some pics, note one of them has a (removable) wedge plate fitted, but that will go in the bin.
Firstly the learning curve:

Learning.png

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Top right unit has wedge plate fitted:

3 angles.png

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Some detail:

Cover & switch.png

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[TSR2]

I don’t know much about 3D printing Mike, but those look very good indeed

[Paul K]

Like Ben, I know next to nothing about the 3D printing process, but what you're doing there is very interesting Mike. One of the things I've read about is that because of 3D printing, we can now replicate long-lost moulds for castings, such as aircraft engine blocks etc.

[JohnD]

Looking good Mike

I’ve often wondered wether the detail can be produced fine enough to create aircraft model profiles. So producing 3D pictures that can be framed and hung.

I suppose cost would be quite prohibited.

John

[Airspeed]

Thanks for the comments, people.

John: The finest detail that I can print on my bottom-of-the-range hobby machine is with a 0.2mm nozzle, which can make layers 0.08mm thick.
This sounds good in theory, but I certainly could not print, say, an aerial wire on an aircraft profile 0.2x.08mm
The small indented lettering on the dial face,(2mmx2mmx0.75mm) and the raised screw heads are pushing the capabilities to the limit.
If you have an STL file that you're interested in, you could send it to me, and I'll print it to see what results.
Blender is available free to use as a building tool, but I find it rather complex. I use Tinkercad (also free), but you have to use it on line.
The material is only $30/Kg, so it's not going to cost me a fortune to give it a go, and I wouldn't ask for anything from you.

[Airspeed]

Another of those moments:
You know when you're trying to print another one of these:

20mm.png

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...and you know it's going to take 12 hours, so you go to bed.
Then you get up at 05:30 to turn it off, and find that it's done this:

20mmouch.png

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Do you make funny noises?
Me too

[Paul K]

Don't worry Mike, it'll look nice in a Christmas tree.

[FlyTexas]

It'd be nice if you could melt it down and reuse it.

Brian