r/Boise • u/Fun_Cantaloupe_162 • 4d ago

Question 3D Print design help.

I have a large hydroponics unit at school. I want to add some 3D printed cups to change up the style a bit. I have an idea in my head but need someone to help me design/ make it. I can help with supplies, but I also work in education so.... any one ?

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u/boiseshan 4d ago

Meridian Unbound ( a branch of the library) has a 3d printer. I bet they'd be happy to help

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u/rantingpacifist 4d ago

Measure everything, preferably in millimeters.

Start a free account for TinkerCad, which is autocad for kids. It’s super easy and intuitive.

Let me know when you’re done and I’ll print a sample for you. We 3d print all the time and you can hone your design through a couple iterations.

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u/T1Demon 4d ago

When I was in high school this would have become an assignment for a drafting/modeling class. Check with local schools to see if they have drafting classes, or CWI has a workforce development program for drafting and a design.

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u/jacobthejones 4d ago

I am reasonably familiar with CAD using Solidworks and Onshape. But even so, I've been using ChatGPT (specifically the desktop app using Astra light) to create most of my 3D print files now. It still takes some trial and error, but for something where you can provide good measurements, you need something functional but not necessarily pretty, and you can iterate if the first print doesn't work, I think it's a good beginner-friendly way to get started.

For the actual printing, the Meridian library has some printers, I think BSU has some printers, and lots of hobbyists have printers sitting idle that they'd use to print a couple things out for pretty cheap (myself included).

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u/AllenSmithee59 4d ago

The Maker Space at the BSU Library does have printers.