3D Printing a Solid Edge Design

If you haven’t seen my previous posts on this topic, they are here and here.

Now that I have some experience using the 3D Printer, I need to step up my game and design something for it to print.  Before that, let me get on my soapbox for a moment.

<Soapbox on> There are two types of Diabetes.  Type 2 (aka Adult Onset Diabetes) is usually related to lifestyle issues like obesity, although it can also be triggered by pregnancy.  In Type 2 Diabetes the patient may be able to improve with diet, exercise, and weight loss.  Type 1 (aka Juvenile Diabetes) is caused by an auto-immune disorder in which the body attacks the insulin-making cells on the pancreas.  Since Type 1 patients cannot create insulin, they must have it externally administered (usually via injection).  Some patients use insulin pumps which administer the drug throughout the day. Type 1 patients cannot get rid of Diabetes by diet, exercise, or weight loss.Please don’t suggest the latest diet plan you saw to get rid of Diabetes to a Type 1 patient. <Soapbox off>

I know someone with Type 1 Diabetes, and they have an insulin pump.  The pump came with a handy belt holder, but it broke.  Aha!  I can 3D design and 3D Print a new pump holder!  I’ve got a mission!

I designed a holder for the insulin pump using Solid Edge (Synchronous Mode).  It took about 30 minutes, and most of that time was applying blends (a real Solid Edge modeling expert could probably cut that time in half).Then I saved it as an *.stl file and handed the file over to a “slicing engine” named Cura. This software slices the object into horizontal sections and then makes decisions on how to 3D print it.  G-code creation is automatic, once you have some key settings established.

I printed it with the open end (where the belt hook attaches) down.  That meant the flat area at the bottom of the holder (top of the print) would be unsupported.  The printer didn’t care though, and just smeared plastic across the opening until it closed the gap.  It was kind of funny to watch, but as you can see from the bottom of the holder, it created a rough surface.

Analysis: it works!  Less than 3 hours after beginning the design, I had a prototype to hold in my hands (and check for fit).

In my next post, I will go through the Design/Slice/Print process in more detail.

Footnote: Science of medicine has made huge strides in treating both types of Diabetes in the past 20 years, and I’m predicting that a cure for Type 1 will be discovered within the next 20 years.  For more information about Type 1, visit American Diabetes Association.