![\"rd03\"](\"http:\/\/dcyale.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/rd031.jpg\")
<\/a>On the right is a handle sticking out.\u00a0 Since it’s only supported on one end it’s an unsupported wire.\u00a0 Although this is a cylinder, a wire can be square, triangular or just about any cross section.\u00a0 The arm of a human figure would be considered an unsupported wire if it was sticking out.<\/p>\nOn the top is a frame.\u00a0 Since it’s supported on both ends, it’s a supported wire.<\/p>\n
All this is important because each of these features have different design specifications.<\/p>\n
WSF has the advantage of being cheaper, but has less detail and has a slightly grainy surface.\u00a0 Some models can be polished which smooths it and gives it a shinny surface,\u00a0but most importantly, it won’t print in as\u00a0much detail\u00a0as the more expensive FUD.\u00a0 Model made in FUD are more expensive, but have a smoother finish and finer details allowing you to do models that won’t work in the SWF material.<\/p>\n
Below I have made a chart that shows the minimum dimensions WSF and FUD can be printed in for various types of features.\u00a0 The features are on the left, and you can look across to see the minimum dimensions possible in each scale in inches (If you think in Metric I’m sorry- I’m too old to change now, but I will post a Metric chart).\u00a0 If you look at an unsupported wire- think of the handle on the radial drill press above, in Z scale it would have to be scale\u00a09 inches in diameter\/\u00a0 That’s pretty big.\u00a0 In N Scale it would have to be 6 1\/2 inches, and in HO 3 1\/2 inches.\u00a0\u00a0 At 3 1\/2, although too big in diameter, it doesn’t look too bad.\u00a0 The model shown is HO scale.\u00a0 Of course in the large scales it’s even better, but in 3D printing cost is partially dependent on size, so there’s another trade off.<\/p>\n
Next time- Embossed and Engraved Details.<\/p>\n