3D Printed Scale Models

Partial or full scale 3D printed models allow rapid prototyping and testing of features such as parts fit, basic geometry, strength, part interference, inferface matching, and others. It is a useful step that can be used to validate designs any time a 3D model is available.

Protocol

• Use FreeCAD CAD files to generate STL files for printing.
• Use the 3D printing softeware to scale the parts for faster printing.
• You can then observe features and fit of parts using such scale models.

Procuring Part Files

Search for similar models available off-shelf using 3D Printing File Repositories. Note that requests can be made to certain sites for generating 3D Printing Files - and uploading them to a repository if the file does not exist already - for free. See list of Services for Generating 3D Printing Files.