Turning one part into a bunch of smaller parts for 3d printing

jbm

I've designed a stand for my laptop but it's to big for my 3d printer, I'm wanting to cut it into smaller parts with interlocking joint points but i can't work out how to cut up the original part into smaller parts along the joining points I want to make. The only idea I've had so far involves making a bunch of cuts using the "split" tool.

this is the part as it currently looks:

this is the cut I want to make:

bruce_williams

@jack_mavor

you are almost there.  Extrude that sketch as surfaces (make sure it extends to all faces of part or more), then do a Split with that surface.

bruce_williams

@jack_mavor

you are almost there.  Extrude that sketch as surfaces (make sure it extends to all faces of part or more), then do a Split with that surface.

rune_thorsen229

jack_mavor said:

I've designed a stand for my laptop but it's to big for my 3d printer, I'm wanting to cut it into smaller parts with interlocking joint points but i can't work out how to cut up the original part into smaller parts along the joining points I want to make. The only idea I've had so far involves making a bunch of cuts using the "split" tool.

HI @jack_mavor. It looks like a nice design. We work with 3D printing as well. If you make a clean cut of your parts to let them fit your printer, how do you assemble them?
I found that there is a catch on positioning if you are interested: https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/comment/60673/#Comment_60673

robert_scott_jr_

Hello jack_mavor. Based on past experience on fitting 3D printed parts together, I would not print the entire piece(s) as is after the split. I suggest doing two other splits before and after the connection split to render smaller 'test' pieces to print. After printing the 'test' pieces and fitting them together, you may find the need to take .004-.008" of the faces of one of the pieces to acquire the fit that pleases you. That may avoid wasted many hours printing pieces that don't fit. - Scotty