Print this Fish: 3D Printing Challenge

Challenge: Print this fish or any other fish model from the Toucan Virtual Museum http://www.toucan.co.jp/3DCG/3ds/FishModelsE.html Document your strategy for preparing, printing and assembling the model and share photos and your stl model. Bonus points for models with fully printable fins. Bonus points for models that can be printed on a FDM hobby printer. Bonus points for multiple fish models. Winning prints will be shared on the designmaketeach.com blog.

Goal: Document strategies for 3D printing complex biological shapes on a school FDM 3D printer.

Goal: Models will be printed and used in a summer STEM camp to study the biological adaptations of fish.

UPDATE: netfabb posted a printable version of this model and promises a tutorial. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:97145 Looks great.

Instructions

The attached model in .3ds format is from the Toucan Virtual Museum http://www.toucan.co.jp/3DCG/3ds/FishModelsE.html which gives permission to use the model on their site. The model was scaled, repaired and cut in NetFabb Studio. Model was printed in two halves on a PrintrbotJr using natural PLA. Model was glued together using zap-a-gap. Tail section had gaps. Side and lower fins did not print correctly.

Printing Ideas:

-Print with support.

-Cut model into multiple components.

-Increase thickness of fins.

-Remove fins and print separately.

-Remodel fins.

-Make fins using other materials.

Full color screenshots are from MeshLab, a tool developed with the support of the 3D-CoForm project