"The aged-copper 3D printed Yoga Frog and Garden Toad we produced are a great example of how versatile 3D printing with paper can be", Alex Lorenzo, CEO, ALLAXIS 3D Printers
"The puzzled look on people's faces when we inform them that the 3D print they're holding in their hands is made out of paper never gets old," says Alex Lorenzo, CEO of ALLAXIS 3D Printers. "That's why we enjoy creating finishes that keep people wondering what they're made of. Typically they guess stone, marble or metal... anything but paper."
ALLAXIS 3D Printers, provides 3D solutions, including Mcor Technologies SDL (selective deposition lamination) paper-based 3D printers, across a wide range of professional and industrial markets. The Company is a division of Digital Illustration & Design, which has specialised in 3D CAD services and the sale and support of CAD systems, large format plotters and scanners for more than 25 years.
Mcor 3D printers create complex, physical 3D models from paper. Mcor 3D printed models can be tapped, threaded, hinged, made water resistant and flexible. They can print hollows and moving parts and they can even be disposed of in the recycling bin for cradle-to-grave sustainability.
Although the tough, durable and stable 3D models produced on Mcor 3D printers do not require post-printing finishes for many applications, the ability to sand, drill, tap and apply coatings to the paper-based 3D prints unleashes many new possibilities. And since paper is 70% porous, Mcor's paper-based 3D printers provide countless options for post-printing finishes.
This unique aspect of Mcor's paper-based 3D printed models intrigues Lorenzo. He came up with the idea to create 3D printed models that look remarkably like objects made of aged copper, but at a fraction of the cost. He tested this idea using a relatively simple technique on frog and toad digital 3D files he downloaded online:
"We used ordinary white copy paper in our Mcor IRIS 3D printer (which can 3D print both photorealistic colour and monochrome models) to produce pure white 3D printed frog and toad models.
After quickly and easily "weeding" the final prints from the surrounding paper (which we recycled), we lightly hand sanded the models using a light, 220 grit sand paper.*
Next, we dipped the models into a container of low bloom, cyanoacrylate (super-glue) for a period of 10 to 15 seconds.*
The 3D prints were then hung to dry.
After the 3D prints dried thoroughly, we gently sanded them to remove any final signs of printed layers, and the pieces were ready to be finished.*
For this project we selected a product called Sophisticated Finishes – Patina Green. They offer several types of finishes from which to choose.
Two solutions come with the kit, Copper Metallic Paint and Patina Green Antiquing Solution.
We simply brushed the metallic paint onto the models and, while still tacky, we sprayed them with the antiquing solution. The antiquing solution interacts with the metal flakes in the metallic paint creating the appearance of corrosion. We were careful to let the antiquing solution pool in areas for the most realistic effect.
The models were set aside dry for 24 hours and, voilà, we created Yoga Frog and Garden Toad models that look like they are made out of aged copper."
Sanding, coating and use of cyanoacrylate in this process are not required for many applications using Mcor 3D printers.
Lorenzo is delighted with the results. "The aged-copper 3D printed Yoga Frog and Garden Toad we produced are a great example of how versatile 3D printing with paper can be."
www.mcortechnologies.com
