Coping with integrating low-cost 3D printing and surface models: A case study on Prusa i3

Abstract

The article describes one of the possible ways how to create a physical terrain and surface models using a low-cost 3D printer Prusa i3. In the first part, there is a summary of currently used technologies for 3D printing, their descriptions and basic characteristics. Then the open-source 3D printer Prusa i3 based on the RepRap project is shortly described as well as available data used for the testing. The rest part is focused on the whole process of transforming elevation data into a form, which can be printed on the 3D printer. Main attention is given to transferring raster format of digital elevation model into a physical 3D model using Rhinoceros 5, slic3r and pronterface software. The procedure for modelling in Rhinoceros is described using step-by-step instructions and simple formulas. Several freeware alternatives are mentioned as well. Also the user interface of slic3r is described in detail with some recommended options. In the case of the Pronterface software, the user interface and functionality of all important buttons and settings is described. In the final part, the output results, possible problems encountered during the process of printing 3D models and their possible solutions are described in detail.