Physical Prototype
The MeMa Physical Shell is a physical deployment for the Memory Machine. It consists of a 3D Printed Shell and Internal Hardware. This guide can be split up into essentially 2 sections, how to print the shell and how to connect the prototype.
The MeMA 3D-Shell was printed using PLA Plastic on a Flashforge Creator-3. The test-shell was printed using GEEETECH Filament, with a nozzle temperature of 220°c and a build plate temperature of 65°c. However, these should be tweaked to your devices. settings. It is also reccommended to perform a test print beforehand, to avoid wasting large amounts of filament.
There are 2 supplied mema models in the repository, a whole-piece model and a 4 section model. Due to the large size of mema, we reccommend printing the 4 section model, and then combining afterwards, however if your printer is able to print the whole-piece model, then this would provide optimal strength. These models are all available in the modelbank directory, alongisde gcode for the flashforge creator-3. If you are using a different printer, then you will need to slice the models yourself, using a model slicer such as Cura.
⚠️ If your 3D printer does not support a large build plate, you can break the model down furhter using Blender. (Tutorial) Blender is a free, open-source, general purpose, 3D Modelling Software that can be used to split down a 3D model.
- This was the tried and tested method of printing the MeMa3 shell. It is highly recommended to print MeMa using this technique. However, if you have a 3D printer large enough to print the MeMa shell in one, this will provide heightened structural integrity.
- The models available to print this are available in
modelbank/, but will require slicing by whatever 3D modelling software you desire. - This guide will provide settings for the Flashforge Creator-3 3D Printer, please tweak these settings according to your own individual setup
MeMa3 was printed using 40% Hexagonal Infil, with a 4-layer thick shell and generated supports and brim. Supports will most likely be required due to the complex structure of MeMa. This resulted in each part taking approximately 18 to 23 hours a piece, depending on complexity and required supports, e.g. the front 2 pieces take longer to print.
Temperature & Adhesive Settings (Flashforge Creator-3)
Just another note that these worked for the Flashforge Creator 3 with GEEE PLA, these will most likely change depending on your individual printer setup, and should be set as the result of multiple test prints. Guides for finding the best settings for your printer are available online.
Right Extruder Temperature of 220°c or 428°f. Build Plate Temperature of 65°c or 149°f. This was printed using GEEE PLA, however any PLA should work.
⚠️ Do not touch the extruder tip or build plate while it is hot.
When printing MeMa, we used a total of 2 Reels (2kg) of GEEETECH PLA Filament. This accounted for 1 misprint of a quadrant section, and may vary depending on how the print proceeds. It is reccommended to use the same PLA type and colour for all 4 segments of MeMa, however this is not required.
⚠️ These settings should only be used for the 4-compartment large shell. This is because other parts of the MeMa shell require more integrity and strength, hence requiring different infil types and percentages. These should be visible in their dedicated, separate sections.
| Setting Name | Setting Value |
|---|---|
| 3D Printer | Flashforge Creator 3 |
| Filament Type | PLA (GEEETECH) |
| Extruder Temperature | 220°C |
| Build Plate Temperature | 65°C |
| Infil Type | Hexagonal |
| Infil Percentage | 40% (increase for strength) |
| Generate Supports | Yes, lattice-type recommended |
| Generate Brim | Yes, 3mm thick, 6mm reach |