A description of process:
I used the Extruder Turtle library in Python to generate the codes for the four shapes that cannot be created by the slicer. For each shape, I had to create movement patterns and initialize parameters such as radius, height, size, etc. For the first object, the code draws two horizontal lines and creates freestanding spiral line in between. For the second object, the code builds “reverse” Christmas tree pattern that has freestanding lines. For third object, the code builds wavy circle by combining non-planar Z movements. For fourth object, the code create frequent sharp bumps.
An explanation of why my shapes cannot be generated by a traditional slicer:
First object – This object cannot be generated by slicer because the code creates a suspended freestanding spiral line without support between the two walls.
Second object – this object was generated by using random forward movements with an angle of 203 degrees and frequent Z-lifts. It cannot be developed by slicer because it has freestanding, unsupported lines and non-planar movements.
Third object – The code was inspired by Euclidean formula and the code creates wavy circle with random bumps and non-planar z-axis movements. That is the reason why slicers can’t generate it.
Fourth object – The code creates small bumps at every fifth angle, thus it is hard for slicer to generate it.
A discussion of iterative design process:
I kept changing the code based on visual from Rhino and adjusted the shapes to ensure that they couldn’t be generated by slicer. Then after printing i would change some components such as variables for radius or length to finalize my code and shapes.
Code folder(zip):
A screen shot of each g-code file from Cura:
Final printed artifacts:
Wavy circle with non-planar z movements:
Freestanding spiral line between the two lines:
Frequent bumps
Reverse Christmas tree
Hey Bat,
I’m not sure if it’s just a me thing, but it seems your final print pictures aren’t loading. I really liked your cura representations of your prints, so I’m curious if they turned out the way you expected. I think the reverse christmas tree is especially cool.
Hi! I’m not sure, it might be a bit slow to load the pictures. I can see the pictures on my end. Pictures are 15 mb when I put them so that might be the issue. And yes, the final prints came out the way I expected!
Hello Bat,
I would love to see how the printed forms turned out, as well as you’re reflections on the difficulties encountered during the printing process. It may be the way your objects in Cura, but your Reverse Christmas and Wavy Cirle objects seem like they are relatively flat. How dooes each object look when printed? Did you encounter any problems during the printing process?
Hi Nathan!
The objects look similar to the Cura representation! I encountered few problems with printing such as the objects randomizer is too big interval or bumps are too far away but after few retries it worked!
When I first saw your prints I was definitely amazed with the ideas that you came up with and presented in Cura. Was wondering if you had issues uploading the photos or if it was just on my end since I saw this post initially a couple days ago. Looking at your Cura previews I was curious as to what your extrusion rate and width were since the first too look to have wide lines compared to your final two Cura designs. I like simple yet interesting your first design is, it reminds me of like a one string guitar or instrument that all you have to do is strum the inner spiral and it makes a boing noise. With your second and third design I like how chaotic and hectic they are with the amount of movement they have in them! Finally, with your last design I like how you gave it a rigid wave that I’m sure printed out very cool, anything with added texture and a change in the x and y axis always creates some interesting final prints!
Hi, Andrew!
Thank you for your reply. I’m not quite sure but I think the picture file is large and takes a bit of time to load. Next time I’ll try to compress it. Regarding extrusion rate and width i didn’t change much and used default values of Extruder Turtle Library. And thank you for your comment!
Hi bat,
Your second object looks great, and I also like your reverse Christmas tree. I was wondering if you had any problems with the nozzle colliding with the printed part when you were printing the fourth object?