As someone with access to 3D Printing, I’m always looking for props/models/ideas to print. The Nothing Kiosk is a perfect example of this. It’s a challenge compared to other prints I’ve done, being such a “simple” shape, every imperfection will be evident, every layer line will be on display and each choice in printing will matter.
(Photo from Akis’ Twitter)
Printing this model, or any model for that matter, starts with the .stl file. I could brush off my CAD skillset and get back into parametric modelling using FreeCAD/SolidWorks/Fusion 360. However, I am limited by the hardware I have on hand, and my PC doesn’t quite meet modern modelling software requirements. Luckily for me, there is a wide community of skilled creatives who upload their STLs online for people to use! (Check out Thingiverse, Cults3D, Printables and more!)
Nothing’s Kiosk is a refurbished K67 Kiosk, which lends itself in my favour being a modular system, that way I could look for and potentially print individual pieces that would be easier to sand, paint and finish before assembling. In my hunt, I found Black Site Studio’s Kiosk Kit, which would serve this purpose and was printed in proportion for use with 28/32mm miniatures (I’ve spent more time on their site adoring their other models! As someone into DND/Minifigures, I have a feeling I’ll be purchasing a few of their models)
With this model in hand, now to think about printing. I could use an FDM Printer, such as my Ender 3 Pro or an SLA Printer, such as my Elegoo Mars 2 Pro. FDM Printing is more traditionally what people think of when it comes to 3D printing, with melted plastic being printed in layers onto a hotbed building up the object over time, this works well at a scale of 0.4mm nozzle diameter at 0.16mm layer height providing plenty of detail for a model such as this and working for larger scale models.
(FDM Printing Diagram - Research Gate)
SLA Printing uses a vat of resin and a bed that is pressed onto a screen through this resin, the screen then displays an image of a single layer in the wavelength of light that cures the resin onto the bed, before moving to the next layer and repeating. This means the resolution for the print is down to the resolution of the screen, and layer heights can be much smaller (For my set-up, as far down as 0.01mm). Additionally, you can print in some fun resins…
(SLA Printing Diagram - Xometry)
Several points need to be considered before we click “print” such as the orientation of the model in slicing software and how the layer lines will appear, how many/what supports are needed for overhangs, is there a flat side that would suit being against the print bed? I use Ultimaker’s Cura Slicing software for my Ender 3 Pro and can play around with tree supports, different infills and all sorts of settings that can impact print quality.
(Example of how the “straight” section could be positioned/supported within Cura)
(Example of how the “straight” section could be positioned/supported within Chitu)
After printing, multiple finishing steps can be taken. I often do a first pass sanding most of the parts that I print, using a deburring tool on any sharp edges (not so relevant here) and priming/painting can come into play if desired. With this model, I printed the parts in red filament since this makes up the bulk of the print, with smaller details then painted on (such as the black lines, or white light). This is where my skillset lacks, in the past, I’ve had more luck in spray-painting/finishing parts, but I did not feel that the same approach was appropriate here.
(Black Kiosk - My first take and using up some spare filament)
(Failed Resin Print - I forgot drainage holes…)
All in all, I’m pretty happy with the results, with the imperfections on display, I would love to spend more time sanding and finishing these, perhaps once I have more tools/skills at my disposal. (I have also given a print to a friend of mine with a lot more painting experience, who I imagine will be able to make my printed models truly shine!)
(Resin Print - It came out with some translucency, not perfect, but I love how this looked)
(Finished FDM Print)
Thank you Rob for sending these 2 photos back! I do hope you and the team enjoy having these on display! It was a fun thing for me to put my printers to the test with, and I do think I’ll continue to print these models for future tabletop games and as a test to hone my finishing skills for models! Also, thanks to Black Site Studios for having these models to hand, they have a really smooth process for acquiring the STL’s and with a couple of pre-supported, it’s clear that they want the customer experience to go as smoothly as possible!
So, after a lengthy post, what are your thoughts on 3D Printing? Are you a fan of the Nothing Kiosk? What could I have done differently in my printing? What would you print with a 3D Printer?
