3D Printed Watch Shell
Introduction: 3D Printed Watch Shell
This project is actually just something really small I decided to do on the side but it turned out quite nice, so I thought it might be fun to share with everyone here.
About 5 years ago I had bought a g-shock watch (G-2900), which I absolutely loved and wore 24/7 365. Just about a year ago, the shell of the watch broke off due to wear and tear and the watch looked small and very absurd without it (see top right/second image).
The first and largest image is how it looked when it was bought brand new and the third image is after the repairs have been made.
Just recently I realised that with my 3D printer and some black filament, I could 3D print a shell for the watch and begin using it back again.
Supplies
1) 3D printer
2) Black PLA filament
3) Sandpaper
4) Wire cutters
5) Box cutters
6) Superglue
7) Vernier calliper
Step 1: 3D Modelling the Design
I used Onshape to design the pieces. It took quite a bit of time and numerous iterations, around 12 to be specific.
I had to use a vernier calliper to take multiple measurements of different parts of the watch.
I am not particularly proficient with 3D modelling, but there were a couple of tools on Onshape that made tackling this complex design much easier, and I wanted to share them with the CAD beginners.
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1) Plane (creates a place). This is a very useful tool if you want to develop this further and start sweeping surfaces across difficult angles. I found that the midpoint option for creating a plane was the easiest. All you have to do is select a straight line and Onshape creates a plane that is perpendicular to that line and passes through the line's midpoint.
2) Sweep. 729
This is a really fun and useful tool for making complex shapes. Building on the previous point of creating a plane, once you have created a plane and have drawn your desired sketch on it, you can select the surface you want and move it along the path of the sketch, creating a solid.
3) Loft. When you want to connect two sketches and create a solid body out of them.
4) Move face. This is similar to extrude but can deal with more complexity. The tool recognises the initial shape of the surface and continues it instead of just pushing it straight out.
Step 2: 3D Printing
1) Ultimaker Cura was used as the slicer. Ender 3 was the 3D printer used for this project.
2) The .stl file for the two pieces have been attached to this step.
3) Each piece took 42 minutes so a total of 1.5 hours roughly.
Step 3: Cleaning Up and Polishing the 3D Print
Using a wire cutter, Exacto knife, and some sandpaper, I cleaned up the 3D print removing all supports and brim.
Step 4: Super Glueing and Final Photos
I superglued the sides together on the watch itself. The shell can't come off now as there is a rim at the bottom holding it in place. 116