Makerware print time & weight estimates

The latest versions of Makerware allow you to preview the print before completion in full 3d.  Great feature.  It also estimates both the time it will take to generate the print, and the weight of the filament used.  I thought I’d compare this on the latest print I made, “The Hammerhead – Handheld Kinect Grip“:

hammerhead

I printed it in Taulman 618 nylon (just because that’s what I had installed in the printer).  The weight estimates are based on  PLA, so presumably the nylon weights would be off.  But time estimates should be correct.  The print settings I used were:

  • 2 shells, 10% infill.
  • 270 micron layer height (low res, for speed).
  • HBP off.  Extruder temp 240c.  Printed on blue painters tape on a removable glass platform.
  • Travel rate 150mm/sec.  Extrude rate 90mm/sec.
  • Raft, no supports.

Based on those values, these were the time estimates & final time, weight estimates & final weight for the 3 separately printed pieces as made on my Makerbot Replicator (1):

  • Handle (the thing you grab)
    • Time estimate \ Final time : 120 min \ 101 min
    • Weight estimate \ Final weight : 32g \ 31g
  • Kinect Mount (the thing screwed to the Kinect)
    • Time estimate \ Final time : 50 min \ 40 min
    • Weight estimate \ Final weight : 13g \ 13g
  • Tripod mount (the thing connection the two):
    • Time estimate \ Final time : 45 min \ 35 min
    • Weight estimate \ Final weight : 12g \ 11g

So in all cases, it actually printed faster, about 20% faster than expected.  And I don’t know the different in weight between the nylon and PLA, but those estimates look to be pretty spot on.

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