| "Solid" vs "Enclosed" [message #44435] Fri, 24 February 2012 17:56 UTC |
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I recently uploaded a 2" dia x 2" long cylinder with an indentation across the top of it. As a solid object, it priced at about $50. I then redid it as a hollow cylinder (1/16" thick walls). SURPRISE! No change in price???
But then when I put a 1/2" dia hole in the base, the price dropped to only $17.
Does this mean that I would pay for the powder INSIDE the object (because it had no way of escaping when removed from the printer), even though the FUSED material that makes up the object walls is considerably less volume?
Do I always need to provide a "port" for hollow objects and what is minimum size? If 1/2", are two 1/4" holes on opposite sides the same thing?
Also: if I ordered several odds and ends, but you could print only ONE of them... which would it be? (sorry, had a bad humor attack...)
VERY much enjoying your products and services, by the way! Thanks a lot!
Maranatha
RMc
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| Re: "Solid" vs "Enclosed" [message #44439 is a reply to message #44435 ] Fri, 24 February 2012 18:08 UTC |
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| Greek2Me wrote on Fri, 24 February 2012 17:56 |
Do I always need to provide a "port" for hollow objects and what is minimum size? If 1/2", are two 1/4" holes on opposite sides the same thing?
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Exactly. The software will automatically remove internal geometry that is not connected to the outside, which is why it came to be the same price. The software removed the hollow inside.
The Mad Moder
michael@shapeways.com
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| Re: "Solid" vs "Enclosed" [message #44447 is a reply to message #44435 ] Fri, 24 February 2012 21:39 UTC |
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In some materials you can make a tiny hole so the software detects it but the material gets trapped anyway.
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| Re: "Solid" vs "Enclosed" [message #44677 is a reply to message #44447 ] Wed, 29 February 2012 22:56 UTC |
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Hmmmm.... I'm puzzled. Since the model was originally created via AutoCAD as a hollow object and then exported as a *.stl file for upload, how do I tell the software NOT to fill it back in (by deleting internal voids)? Is simply adding a small hole enough to "connect" the interior void to the exterior shell? And if the hole is so small that the material trapped within can't be flushed out, do you still pay for the full volume, or only the material that was hardened during the printing process? Just looking for the most cost efficient means.
Thanks.
[Updated on: Fri, 09 March 2012 12:47 UTC]
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