This Instructable covers making a 3D file in SketchUp and then exporting the file so that it can be printed up by Ponoko. The item being made here is a level-3 Menger sponge.
This Instructable is an entry for the Google Ponoko Challenge. It ends tomorrow, Dec. 17, so if you have an idea for an entry do it soon!
This Instructable is an entry for the Google Ponoko Challenge. It ends tomorrow, Dec. 17, so if you have an idea for an entry do it soon!
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Signing UpStep 1: Starting with a cube
The Menger sponge starts with a basic cube. In theory you would be subdividing each face into 9 pieces and then "pushing through" each middle face to create a hole. This technique would work fine for the first iteration, but become a huge problem in the 2nd and a massive headache for the 3rd. Instead it's easier to build up.
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I would love to see it added to the 3D print group I have just started
http://www.instructables.com/group/3Dprint/
Thanks
What did this cost for example?
Nice Menger Sponge!
It would be so awesome in gold plated steel.... epic win!
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=2fb27d07c11af89eeae3eee872e388f6
Bruce
http://regularpolygon.blogspot.com/2010/08/plugin-menger-sponge-10.html
Just out of curiosity, how big is the finished model, what material did you use for the final model, and do you have them available for purchase on the pokono site? I want one!
As for 3D CAD programs, I've used most of them, including Sketchup. I found Sketchup really almost impossible to use to do anything. OK, it's free but . . . The major CAD programs have all kinds of features that make doing repetitive tasks, like this, easy--once you learn how. They are difficult to learn, admittedly, but so is Sketchup, frankly. That would be just about my last choice. Considering how hard it is to use, you did a great job. Kudos!
I've used a few different 3D CAD programs, although not extensively, and each has different uses. SketchUp is, like the name says, good for sketching. I've seen it used in architectural consultations, for example.
I think that if your uses are more intense it wouldn't be something you'd turn to. In the DIY space it's very useful.
"Congratulations to Ed Lewis, aka Fungus Amungus, who created an all-around fantastic Instructable for using Google SketchUp with Ponoko 3D printing to win the Google + Ponoko Challenge"
http://blog.ponoko.com/2010/12/21/announcing-the-google-ponoko-challenge-winner/
Now let's see this in gold-plated stainless . . . LOL
For your technique, you'd need to push through 192 small squares (64*3), 24 medium squares (8*3) and 3 large squares for a total of 219 pushes through.
I've never used Alibre, but on SketchUp it would take me far longer just to set up one face of small squares to push through than to make the whole model (about 5 minutes).
it'll probably just end up as a parametric mess of for loops...
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5321
size = 99; //side length
level = 3; //menger level
intersection(){
rotate([0,0,0])translate([-size/2,-size/2,-size/2])singleSide();
rotate([0,90,0])translate([-size/2,-size/2,-size/2])singleSide();
rotate([0,0,90])translate([-size/2,-size/2,-size/2])singleSide();
}
module singleSide(){
difference(){
cube(size);
for(i=[1:level]){
for(j=[0:pow(3,i)-1]){
for(k=[0:pow(3,i)]){
translate([-size/2,j*size/pow(3,i),k*size/pow(3,i)]){
//echo(round((j+2)/3)==(j+2)/3);
//echo((j+2)/3);
if(round((j+2)/3)==(j+2)/3){
if(round((k+2)/3)==(k+2)/3){
cube([2*size,size/pow(3,i),size/pow(3,i)]);
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}