Another JOI emanator - Blade Runner 2049

[Paul FSebastian]

Hi all

I've been toying with the idea of splurging on some form of 3D printer recently (left-over xmas money). While I haven't got the budget by any means to buy some amazing brand new resin setup, there are a few second hand PLA/ABS printers that caught my eye and would let me dip my toe without going all in. While I realise that the detail that a resin 3D printer would give would be better, the idea of the cleaning/curing processes and waste IPA etc puts me off a little?

(N.B: ANY advice on whether or not a second-hand 3D printer of any format is a good idea or false economy is GREATLY welcomed at this point!)

So I wanted to post to show some results of me trying to learn my way into blender. As someone who has used Adobe Creative Suite for the past 26 odd years, blender made me re-wire my brain sideways, but I have to say, i'm a little bit hooked!

As a massive Blade Runner + 2049 fan, I've had a look at a version of a JOI emanator which i've gotten to a good stage with now. It's one of the easier shapes to start learning with and one of my favourite props that I haven't managed to get to where I want it yet. I've bought x2 of the brilliant resin printed kits before now from DaveChaos at TipTopWorkshop, all of which i've tried to modify/work with to get a working prop, but managed to break/ruin both in the process - So the next logical step was to try to make my own with all the bits I wanted to include already in place. I've used the TipTopWorkshop prop for rough dimensions, then kind of winged it!

It has a fairly simple led, battery and switch layout. I need to re-think some of the connection nubs and a few other bits and bobs, but otherwise i'm kind of itching to print one of these and see how it goes. I built this around the idea of having a central support tube (probably aluminium) down the centre. This would show as real metal through the metal painted 'rail' section in the middle which I think would give a nice contrast. The tube could also easily be printed, or even intergrated back into the rail section if the print doesn't work as is (because i'm a noob!)

Might have a look at the box after this project. See how many parts I can split it into to be able to build on whatever tiny build plate I end up with?

Thanks for looking
PaulF

 

[Ehyder20]

Hey Paul. I totally think it would be worth to get a printer. they are cheap as ever and the level of detail you can unlock for prop making has been invaluable to me and probably would be for you to. I have used both PLA and Resin printers, and for a beginner like yourself i would 100% reccomend a pla printer. resin does have great quality but it is definitely a more labor intensive process. I recently upgraded by old printer to this tronxy Crux 1 and couldnt be happier. printers have come a long way and i think for this price its worth it to explore 3D printing CRUX1 Mini 3D printer 180*180*180mm Fast Assembly Direct Drive Portable Desktop 3D Printer – Tronxy 3D Printers Official Store

 

[Paul FSebastian]

Thanks for that info Ehyder20, I've seen asecond hand enclosed printer that i'm thinking about going for which can print PLA and ABS too (fumes and all). The lack of secondary processes was very attractive for me as a beginner to be honest!

Good to know that a decent level of detail can be achieved in PLA. Appreciate the help!

 

[Paul FSebastian]

Some progress....

Getting more proficient in Blender (and Cura for that matter). It's all a steep learning curve for a 3d printing noob. As i've always been into product design and generally making things, having Blender to create stuff and a printer to make it appear from thin air is still pretty crazy to me.

Need to tweak some tolerances here and there, and having troubles getting the circular holes in the main top body that house the lens and switch to print without deforming the shape and not quite getting the detail I want, but overall i'm happy that it's what I pictured in my head so far. I might be able to play with the support positioning and get a better result?

No sanding as yet on the outer faces, so i'll have to dive into that and see what I can manage without burning that plastic - another lesson learned the hard way!

The battery compartment has has at least 10 different printed versions so far, including a pressure fit version a version with magnets to hold it in place, and now a sliding lid. The printer did well to produce with enough detail to make that a possibility. Which makes the 'not quite circles' even more frustrating?

thanks for looking

 

[Leinads]

Very nice!

 

[Paul FSebastian]

Updates

After a lot of work redesigning and a lot of time trying to get the best out of the 3d printer, here are some updated renders of the emanator and the emanator box. Some photographs of the final rough prints of both too. All needs sanding/smoothing and paint, as well as wiring for the battery compartment, LED and switch.

Can't decide between white or blue LED?
Any opinions welcome on that. Edging towards white, but the blue just looks cooler to me.

Emanator and box will be listed on cults3d when i'm 100% happy with everything, and i'm making x2 sets up to paint as I type.
Thanks for looking

 

[joberg]

Great work

 

[Paul FSebastian]

Great work

Cheers joberg!

 

[dcast]

HI there PFS,
Beautiful work! I was curious if you ever posted on cults3d? I wasn't able to find any emanators on the site? I'm looking at doing one of these for my next build and I like your design.

 

[Paul FSebastian]

HI there PFS,
Beautiful work! I was curious if you ever posted on cults3d? I wasn't able to find any emanators on the site? I'm looking at doing one of these for my next build and I like your design.

Hey Dcast

Yes, it's in the pipeline, life just keeps getting in the way. I'll be uploading before xmas fingers crossed.
I'll post on this thread when it's up

All the best

 

[Spikeyfied]

Hey Dcast

Yes, it's in the pipeline, life just keeps getting in the way. I'll be uploading before xmas fingers crossed.
I'll post on this thread when it's up

All the best

Hey there, any updates on the Upload for the files?

 

[Paul FSebastian]

Hey there, any updates on the Upload for the files?

Hi Spikey

Yes, apologies. My brain monkies have been very very distracted by things that are much much more easy to do.
So i've been doing them instead, because that just seems to be how my brain works with any hobby or project?

I can only apologise and say that I wanted to complete a pair of fully working versions with boxes, painted, and 100% done before I uploaded the files. But everything has stalled a little on both sides. I have the x2 emanators and boxes fully printed and ready to put together, paint and finish.

I've had a massive clear up recently in order to get everything moving again and finish those working versions is all I can say at the minute.
That and apologise again for my brain-monkeys and their shennangians.

 

[Paul FSebastian]

Same apology as above to Dcast who has asked the same question!

 

[Kroenen77]

That looks really good.I would print this if the files would go online.

 

[Mockingbird]

That looks really good.I would print this if the files would go online.

+1 Certainly interested in this.

 

[Spikeyfied]

Hi Spikey

Yes, apologies. My brain monkies have been very very distracted by things that are much much more easy to do.
So i've been doing them instead, because that just seems to be how my brain works with any hobby or project?

I can only apologise and say that I wanted to complete a pair of fully working versions with boxes, painted, and 100% done before I uploaded the files. But everything has stalled a little on both sides. I have the x2 emanators and boxes fully printed and ready to put together, paint and finish.

I've had a massive clear up recently in order to get everything moving again and finish those working versions is all I can say at the minute.
That and apologise again for my brain-monkeys and their shennangians.

Thanks for even replying, don't worry, life happens, but we can wait. Your version looks brilliant and detailed.

Cheers

Spikeyfied