Double Spiral Ballpoint Pen Body
by benbrandt22, published
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View MoreSummary
This pen body was designed to add an interesting geometric flair to an otherwise ordinary pen.
The part was designed to fit the ink refill from the Bic Cristal pens, which can be found here: http://amzn.to/2lndAQm
Watch the design and build process here:
https://youtu.be/G04E5-SYqZU
Print Settings
Printer:
Dremel Idea Builder
Rafts:
Yes
Supports:
Yes
Resolution:
High/Fine
Infill:
100%
Notes:
I printed mine using Simplify3D software and my Dremel Idea Builder, using PLA filament and printing in High detail with 100% infill (solid).
The software will likely try to add support material on the inside where the ink will go. This would be too hard to remove and you can get by without it. Instead, I used manually-added supports on each end, and along the outside to keep the pen from rolling as it was being printed.
How I Designed This
The pen was designed in Fusion 360. First the ink refill was measured and modeled, and then the pen body was modeled around it. Before making the larger model, I created a few "pen tip" test pieces with different hole diameters to find the best size hole for the ink to fit in.
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You say: "The software will likely try to add support material on the inside where the ink will go. This would be too hard to remove and you can get by without it. Instead, I used manually-added supports on each end, and along the outside to keep the pen from rolling as it was being printed."
Yet your specs indicate to use supports. Should supports be "No"? It's a bit confusing...
Good question. Supports are indeed necessary as I described, below and on the outside of the pen. This is why I indicated to use supports.
If you use automatic support generation in your 3d printing software, there's a chance it will add supports inside the pen where the ink is supposed to go. I can't say for sure as everyone's software is different.
If I had said "No" on supports then the pen probably wouldn't adhere well to the print bed, and the pointed end wouldn't have proper support for the steep angle.
So... use supports, but you might have to manually add or remove some of the ones that are auto-generated.
nice model, printed with point up, 0 supports, 10mm brim. slight post process sanding to clean up the ball.
could you share the fusion file? it would be sweet to dual print the spirals :D
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