Last week I promised you the STL file of the tiny 3D printed car (video here) produced by David Sun on the Objet Eden 3D printer, so here it is. Thank you David! Please take into account this is a big file and could take some minutes to download. (The car here is scaled to 2cm long)
Based on some of the feedback and questions received so far, let's just clarify here and now that there was no post-assembly of the wheels involved in producing this model car. Both the car and its fully functional wheels and axles where printed together in a single seamless step.
This is one of the great technological advantages of inkjet-based 3D printing which, unlike many other rapid prototyping technologies, is able to jet both a 'build' material and a water-removable 'support' material at the same time (It's also useful here to note that Objet Connex machines take this a step further and jets 2 'build' materials and the removable 'support' material simultaneously).
Using this multiple material jetting process, its possible to create tiny separate 'free-floating' bodies (in this case the wheels) - kept apart and in place within the larger model by the support material.
In the example of this tiny 3D printed car then, once the print run is finished, the support material is then washed away from around the wheels and axles. What remains is the fully-assembled car with its freely-revolving wheels.
If you can produce anything similar or smaller, don't be shy to drop us a line! Send your photos and videos to me at sam.green@objet.com
