architecture production facilities

3D PRINTING GUIDELINES -

Model Structure and Submissions -
1. Models should be at least 1/8 thick. We cannot be responsible for thinner models.
2. Models should be structurally stable. Take into consideration the weight of the powder and the
forces that it would exert on your models during excavation.
3. The connection between individual pieces should not be a point-to-point connection; there
must be sufficient mass to hold the model parts together; no pin connections.
4. Models should be checked by student first; the student submitting the model should go
through the following procedure:
A. Make sure that all surfaces are facing the same direction. This will eliminate NORMALS
in your models.
B. Delete all duplicate surfaces/solids in your models and make your model watertight.
C. Double check the thicknesses and connection points of your models.
D. Export all models to ZPRINT as an STEREOLITHOGRAPHY (.stl)
E. If submitting more than 1 model, each model should be exported as its own .stl file.
(This gives the monitor flexibility of placing your models within a build)
F. In ZPRINT check for NORMALS in your file: EDIT_NORMALS_INVERT ALL NORMALS. If
you see a white surface in your model that means you have a normal and should go back
and fix it; if everything is black, you are ready to print.
G. In ZPRINT save your file in the following format:
date_professorsname_yourname.zbd
Ex: 090309_lcombs_sdolezal.zbd
* If you have more than one model just add a number at the end of your name. Files that
are not saved in this format will not be accepted, it is extremely crucial that your file is
named correctly.
5. When intending to submit a file you should take in to consideration your deadline. This means
that you should give yourself at least 48hrs (during the semester) and 1 week to a week and a
half (during finals and mid-terms).
If your final is December 8, then your file should be in by November 30th.
6. We reserve the right to refuse any models that seem incorrectly prepared or have an
undetermined structure.
Please be considerate with monitors - we are here to help.
* Please visit the Architecture Shops webpage to download the 3D Submission Guide, 3D Print
Tutotial and Guidelines, as well as the ZPrint software drivers:
http://www.pratt.edu/academics/architecture/architecture/cnc/
Printer must be selected as 310/Mx Offline and Powder Type is ZP131.


Tips and Suggestions for Making a Successful Model -
1. When modeling in RHINO, MAYA, or 3D MAX it is better for you to model already at the scale that
you will be printing.
Always keep in mind the size of the build box - 8 x 10 x 8.
2. It is always easier to build your model out of surfaces and then give it a thickness in RHINO by
typing the following command: OffsetSrf (Once you type that in you are given different options, make
sure you click on the SOLID option and that you give it a thickness of 1/8). If you build your model in
3D MAX or Maya you can either import it into Rhino or simply import it into 3D Max and SHELL it as a
solid with the correct thickness.
3. To be absolutely positive that all surfaces are facing the same direction, in RHINO you should type
the following command:
UNIFYMESHNORMALS, automatically flipping all surfaces that are not facing the same direction.
4. If you are creating a sectional model and you are cutting the section from a complete model, you
should cut the section first and then give it a thickness.
5. If you wish to solidify meshes in your model, type in the command offsetMesh and follow the
instructions in the pop-up box. When adding thickness to surfaces, OFFSETMESH tends to offset
cleanly rather than creating several separate solids. To do this the surface needs to be meshed first
and then offset. If working in full scale, the resolution of the mesh of the print scale model may be
much lower than that of the full scale resulting in many fewer facets to describe the surface, making
smooth curves very jagged. This seems to be a units issue. The best solution for this so far is to copy
the full scale model into a new file set with smaller units (causing the model to be scaled down) and
then scaling the model to its final printing size. Of course, it is highly suggested to build the model for
printing in the final scale.
Pricing and Model Retrieval -
1. Fall 20110 - 3D Printing is $8 per cubic inch; we round up to the nearest inch.
2. We charge the total from your PrattCard, so please load funds onto your card and bring it with you
when submitting model(s). Cash is not accepted.
3. Payment is due upon submission! Unpaid models will NOT be sent to print.
4. Please pick up your model(s) as soon as you know its completed; ask monitor for an estimated pick-
up date.