3D Printing
After graduating last year at Iowa State, I decided to get a 3D printer for myself as a graduation gift, and since learning how to use it I have been modeling and printing a variety of devices for use in my everyday life. Often, my designs will be a replacement part for something that has broken, a modification of someone else's design, or a small tool.
Recently, I have been using 3D printing as a means to assist in woodworking projects. Industrial CNC machines are prohibitively expensive, but basically robotically control a router to cut designs into wood. By printing tools that constrain the motion of my router, I am able to retain a great deal of design accuracy at a small cost. This design experimentation has taught me a lot about the manufacturing process, especially the differences in additive vs. subtractive manufacturing, and how important it is to understand your manufacturing tools during the design phase.
Below are an assortment of 3D prints I have independently designed, and their use-case. All were designed using either Fusion360 or Solidworks.
Blanket Ladder
Rung holes were cut using a router following a 3D-printed jig.
These are facemask holders that have an opening to sit on a ponytail.
A fluid mixer modified to fit on a pencil that could then be put in the chuck of a drill.
Side tables that used a 3D-printed jig to accurately align screw holes.
Leg stands for a TV that face inwards instead of out, due to the original legs not fitting on the dresser.
A food bowl riser that used 3D-printed guides to help line up the hand-cut dovetail joints.
This is a drawing package for the food bowl stand that I used to keep organized and accurate measurements during the manufacturing process.
This is a 3D-printed replacement for a turntable driver inside a microwave.
