Back in 2012, a YouTube video made by National Geographic showing how a huge adjustable wrench was printed on a 3D printer. In the clip, a wrench is first of all scanned into a computer, down to the accuracy of 40 microns. The image is then sent to a Z Corp's 3D printer. Within 90 minutes, it has created a fully working, robust copy of the original wrench that even features the adjustable head.
After watching this video Daniel Norée decided to make one on his own printer, a Makerbot Replicator. The wrench he wanted to print is not a "print-several-pieces-and-then-assemble" version but also a fully working wrench made in one print job.
Norée's wrench is modeled after an original Bahco wrench with alterations to fit reprap style printers. Then the model was sent to his Makerbot Replicator and printed at 0.2mm in ABS, see the results below. "I like to think i came pretty close. All you need to do is to remove the internal support and your done!" writes Norée.
This new working wrench has become popular on Thingiverse. So if you would like to try it yourself, get the source files here. Keep in mind this is a proof of concept, and you might have some issues during the printing process. But keep trying...and good luck!
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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Don wrote at 9/20/2013 5:25:55 PM:
It was scanned and then the data points were edited. The video I saw clearly showed them editing the 3D model after the scan.
Bruce wrote at 9/5/2013 9:05:35 PM:
Correction: The original Nat Geo video was a fake as the scanned part was different to the printed part. You can't scan internal internal parts.