May 17, 2022
Description
Go watch the video at:
https://youtube.com/shorts/8tZuE-807uA
This project is a print-in-place suncatcher. UV resin is applied to the 3D printed part while it is still adhered to the print bed surface. The model is a two-filament, single-extruder design with a filament change at Z:4.1.
I mixed the resin in small batches to waste as little as possible. After removing the piece from the bed, I applied a final layer of clear/white to the backside to give a smooth, uniform finish. The whole project was completed with less than 120mL of resin.
Important lessons:
1 - SHAKE THE BOTTLE OF RESIN
2 - Resin shouldn't be cured too quickly; don't put the UV lamps too close.
3 - UV lamps will harden the resin, but will still be tacky. Place in the sun to fully cure.
4 - Using a blow torch to pop surface bubbles is high risk and low reward. Distortion of the 3D printed frame occurs quickly.
5 - Degassing the resin in a vacuum chamber would have made a night and day difference in the finished product.
6 - The contrast between colors with and without white pigment is jarring. Adding a miniscule amount of white to all colors would have been favorable.
Untested theories:
1 - Mold release spray could help with uncured resin on the print bed and scraper tools, but may cause issues with bed adhesion.
License:
Creative Commons - Attribution