http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php Shapeways: Bring your creativity to life in 3D http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=54789&th=11043#msg_54789 I am new to this.

I've designed a grating (holes in walls) using semicircles that connect at the points. There is NO gap. The points meet.

Are these edges (where the semicircles meet at the corners) okay for Shapeways?

Will my object print okay?

Thanks!

ATTACHED: Two images of my grating, as seen on a red surface. The gray area are holes.



]]> beagley 2012-10-03T14:42:50-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=54790&th=11043#msg_54790 Youknowwho4eva 2012-10-03T14:44:59-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=54791&th=11043#msg_54791
Thanks for your reply. I was reading the how-to article on manifold stuff and I thought, "Uh-oh. I think I'm doing that!"

This is one example, I actually do it in lots of places when I want holes in my walls.

Perhaps I will have them overlap .25 mm or something. Or have the holes overlap .25 mm. Think that would work?

(Or I'll just design something else. Plenty of ways of making an attractive grate without this!)]]> beagley 2012-10-03T14:49:27-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=54793&th=11043#msg_54793 individual materials rules for holes, wall thickness and separation. ]]> Youknowwho4eva 2012-10-03T15:03:48-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=54795&th=11043#msg_54795 Okay, .0001 mm would be nice and invisible... but: How do I find out minimum "separation"? That is not on the materials specs.

Is that "Min Wall Free"?]]> beagley 2012-10-03T15:12:02-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=54798&th=11043#msg_54798 Youknowwho4eva 2012-10-03T15:32:09-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=54801&th=11043#msg_54801
When I visit the specs for Strong and Flexible Plastics, I see numbers for "Embossed Detail" and "Engraved Detail". This is neither of those things, I don't think. I also see "Accuracy" so maybe I should use that number?

I don't see how far apart two shapes, or two holes, need to be.

I liked the way you said it! What's the minimum "separation"?

]]> beagley 2012-10-03T15:47:15-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=54803&th=11043#msg_54803 Youknowwho4eva 2012-10-03T15:59:34-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=54821&th=11043#msg_54821
Thie solution here is not an issue with, nor dependent upon the printer. You don't have to worry with what the printer is "capable of".

The .0001 offset is purely a mathmatical/geometrical need, and is not related to the abilities of the printer.

It could be a .0001 gap, or a .0001 overlap.. the need is only not to have them identical.

This is because the computer software can't figure out which you intend.. the .0001 change is to give the software a "hint" as to how to arrange the surfaces.]]> stonysmith 2012-10-03T21:10:09-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=54853&th=11043#msg_54853
I guess my question was two-part... 1. would my shape be rejected, and more importantly 2. would it be rejected for a good reason (i.e., it wouldn't print well). I can upload the shape to answer #1 but not #2.

I now understand that I can pass the manifold error check by separating or joining my holes by whatever minimal amount my software supports. (.01 mm I think, as I am in Tinkercad).

I HOPE your comment also implies that the printer won't have any problem creating these walls. ]]> beagley 2012-10-04T13:35:13-00:00