Hi,
Just found this, hopefully people who actually know what they're doing might be able to make some suggestions (I'll understand) to do this.
I have a grid of buttons that belong in a TV remote (OMOTE/CAD/Button Grid.stl at main · CoretechR/OMOTE) . Trying to get this printed properly, we only have 1 option, FDM. We'd like to be able to use other materials and still get the definition/etc. When printed, it looks like -
It starts to get a bit wonky because of the "connector" pieces (That are necessary, keeps the parts from rotating/moving/etc) . It looks like -
and
I've tried a few different ways to cast it
1) Create a base of only casting material and let it full dry (I'm using Smooth-On Mold Star 15 SLOW Platinum Silicone Rubber in all these examples). I spray a release on the base, place the button matrix, spray it all again and put another layer of casting material. Since the item isn't very rigid/heavy the casting material gets underneath and it's unusable
2) I again create the base. I then mix up a tiny batch of casting material, and with a paintbrush try to paint around the edges of all the items, put the item down, and place a weight on it. Once fully dry, spray it all and cast the rest. I've yet to be able to have this come out 100% correct.
3) I again create the base. I then mix up a tiny batch of casting material, but pour enough so there is just a sheen ( there should be a 1/2 covering of the bottom lip), weight it and let it dry. That looks like -
(The slots on both sides are for being able to match top and bottom. I didn't quite get it to not go over the connectors/etc, so I cut it away carefully with a knife. It was good enough. I then placed the matrix in position and weighted it for a day. (Connectors will break if I personhandle it at all). I poured the casting material on it and went to sleep. Next morning, the grid floated to the top. I had to cut it out of it's tomb.
At this point, I don't know what else to do. Please question/comment, everything will help.
Thanks!
Tuc
Just found this, hopefully people who actually know what they're doing might be able to make some suggestions (I'll understand) to do this.
I have a grid of buttons that belong in a TV remote (OMOTE/CAD/Button Grid.stl at main · CoretechR/OMOTE) . Trying to get this printed properly, we only have 1 option, FDM. We'd like to be able to use other materials and still get the definition/etc. When printed, it looks like -
It starts to get a bit wonky because of the "connector" pieces (That are necessary, keeps the parts from rotating/moving/etc) . It looks like -
and
I've tried a few different ways to cast it
1) Create a base of only casting material and let it full dry (I'm using Smooth-On Mold Star 15 SLOW Platinum Silicone Rubber in all these examples). I spray a release on the base, place the button matrix, spray it all again and put another layer of casting material. Since the item isn't very rigid/heavy the casting material gets underneath and it's unusable
2) I again create the base. I then mix up a tiny batch of casting material, and with a paintbrush try to paint around the edges of all the items, put the item down, and place a weight on it. Once fully dry, spray it all and cast the rest. I've yet to be able to have this come out 100% correct.
3) I again create the base. I then mix up a tiny batch of casting material, but pour enough so there is just a sheen ( there should be a 1/2 covering of the bottom lip), weight it and let it dry. That looks like -
(The slots on both sides are for being able to match top and bottom. I didn't quite get it to not go over the connectors/etc, so I cut it away carefully with a knife. It was good enough. I then placed the matrix in position and weighted it for a day. (Connectors will break if I personhandle it at all). I poured the casting material on it and went to sleep. Next morning, the grid floated to the top. I had to cut it out of it's tomb.
At this point, I don't know what else to do. Please question/comment, everything will help.
Thanks!
Tuc
