[X] My Assistant

[vjkane]

As some of you may know, NASA has released 3D-printable files for many of its spacecraft and a few planetary bodies and surfaces (your own 3D model of Vesta, for example). I suspect that I'm not the only one here who would like to have a collection of high-fidelity spacecraft models.

I'm wondering if anyone here has printed these models? Many seem to have problems the prevent them from being printed with several commercial services I've checked with using any of their printing models. For example, the solar panels on the Juno model are too thin as are the edges of Cassini's high gain antenna, its booms, and the shields around its thrusters among other parts.

The Curiosity model does appear to be printable, and a number of people have printed out the 50 parts or so and assemble them (see here). Curiosity is on my list, but I'd like to print some of the other models, too.

Does anyone on this board have the experience with 3D printing to suggest specific printing companies who might be able to handle fine models? Or tricks of printing or materials? Or perhaps you've spent the time to building up your 3D editing skills and have editing the problem areas to create printable files?

Thanks!

[neurothing]

Hi All,

My first time posting although have admired the work and discussions here for years. Diving in because I've been doing 3d printing of space terrains for and with NASA projects and personnel for years, and I understand people's frustrations with what's being offered by their website. Most of their models were developed for animations and hi resolution images rather than 3D printing. I'm currently working with the Northeast Planetary Data Center to develop large scale (printed) models for planetary geologists (http://www.geo.brown.edu/BrownNASADataCenter/content/3D.php). All of our models are designed for and been successfully printed on standard 3D printers (RepRap, Makerbot Replicator, Wanhao Duplicators, etc) and have been cross posted on the NASA 3D resources site (e.g., http://nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov/detail/gassendi-crater).

Because the data center has invested in a 3DP Unlimited printer, we're now doing large scale prints (1m x 1m x 0.5 m). Current projects include everything from specialized sensor holders to use in the partial vacuum of the Ames Vertical Gun, to a multi-panel 3 m long Valles Marineris and the list will go on. I'm doing most of the data analysis/workflow based on converting raw laser/radar altimetry data but would love to connect up with those of you with experience in stereo photoclinometry to expand the range of models we can build (I'd *really* love to develop decent 3d models of Enceladus/Europa that aren't artifact laden).

Thanks!

Seth