topic making cuts in all surface of a shell - for example to save material in 3d printing in Inventor Forum

making cuts in all surface of a shell - for example to save material in 3d printing

c_a_pears — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 11:36:42 GMT

Does anyone know if there is a way to apply a patterned cut out to all faces of your model.

Such as small square, rectangular or hexagonal cut out

for example this might save weight or reduce the material used

my example is I'm making a desk holder made by 3d printing

with different size compartment

I don't mind if there is small holes all over.

Ive made by extruding rectangles and shelling them out so 2mm thick walls

can anyone advise the most efficient way to make some cut outs that might pattern around every face?

I don't really mind if there is a circle, square, rectangle, hexagon, etc.

The only way I would know to do this myself, is to make 1 cut out, and then pattern it in x and y for each wall.

see attached the part I'm currently modeling

kacper.suchomski — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 13:48:44 GMT

Sketch the cutout and Extrude it.

You can then duplicate it using the rectangular pattern.

c_a_pears — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 16:58:26 GMT

Hi kacper

thankyou for your help

sorry I didnt explain my question enough

I was hoping maybe for something with less manual input, as Id like to apply it to a full model of every face.

I wonder if there was an automated or semi-automated way of doing this.

If not I guess my best bet may be in the software for 3d printing itself.

by editing the infill etc.

WHolzwarth — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 17:15:42 GMT

I think, that it is possible with 3dsMax or Revit (for big sizes)
A Fusion tutorial can be found here, but it's not working over all surfaces:

Generally, a task for Rhino with Grasshopper. But some learning is needed.

James_Willo — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 06:42:00 GMT

Fusion also has a lattice function, although I've never used it.

WHolzwarth — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 08:49:07 GMT

Thanks for pointing to Fusion lattice, James.
I tried it and could see it, but it seems to be only a Fata Morgana. I couldn't get a mesh or solid.
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-support/how-to-convert-volumetric-lattice-to-solid-body/td-p/12351038

c_a_pears — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 13:07:53 GMT

Thanks all. There are some useful things to look into there.

I've been playing around with print settings and having the desired results by printing with infill only, so no 'solid' layers.