When life fingers you an issue, let 3D printing be your resolution! The detailed story of how MatterHackers’ print specialist, Tyler Anderson, redesigned and stuck an essential piece on his devoted wristwatch.
Posted on December 18, 2015
by
Tyler Anderson
Tyler Anderson, one in every of MatterHackers’ print specialists, didn’t cry over spilled milk, he embraced it. Like an previous good friend that’s at all times there, so is Anderson’s Casio SGW-100 watch.
“This watch is part of my physique. I just about by no means take it off,” Anderson stated.
Anderson’s Casio SGW-100 Watch
Someday, after seven years of damage, Anderson’s watch band snapped.
“The unique resin strap merely wore out. It developed cracks from flexing and ultimately snapped.”
Anderson didn’t need to buy a brand new watch. An alternative choice he had was to switch the damaged strap with a material piece from Casio, nevertheless, a flaw he wasn’t keen on was if it have been to ever get moist, it might take without end to dry. So he got here up with a greater solution- he was going to design and 3D print a brand new strap to his liking.
Anderson started by measuring the components of the previous strap with calipers after which sketched the important dimensions, which embody:
- Size and width of strap
- Detailed geometry of watch physique partaking options
- Spacing of latch holes
The sketch quickly was digitized into CAD utilizing Solidworks. The following choice to be made was figuring out which materials was greatest fitted to printing the strap.
Measuring watch band
Watch band sketches
The unique strap had ridges that allowed for just a little stretch, one thing Anderson nonetheless desired. Ninjaflex, having nice tensile power and being stretchy all by itself, served to be an ideal resolution and would depart no want for the unique ridges. The strap did achieve some texture because of the blue tape it was printed on, nevertheless, Anderson says this small contact makes the band look as if it was by no means even 3D printed. To print the watch band Anderson used an Airwolf XL 3D Printer upgraded with an E3D v6 all-metal scorching finish. A direct drive extruder (as on the XL) was chosen over a bowden as a result of printing versatile filament is less complicated.
Taking measurements
Watch band CAD design
Printing his watch strap got here with one other customization perk. Earlier than, Anderson claimed that the holes on his watch have been at all times off.
“I used to be capable of make the buckle holes nearer collectively. On the unique watch, one was too tight and the opposite one was too unfastened. I obtained it excellent.” Anderson stated.
After the print was completed Anderson’s final piece to the puzzle was to assemble the watch once more. The {hardware} from his previous strap was nonetheless in good situation. There was a pin and clip that hooked up the strap to the precise watch and several other components for the buckle that linked to the opposite half of the band. Anderson eliminated the buckle off the previous strap, assembled it onto the brand new one, and completed up his watch to return it to his wrist.
Anderson’s strap has lasted since he repaired it again in February. You see the ultimate design and print your personal watch strap right here.
“The consolation degree is similar as the unique strap. I can’t actually inform the distinction. There additionally doesn’t appear to be any put on but both. It’s superior!” Anderson stated.
Whether or not you’re a rookie or a complicated person, Anderson’s story goes to indicate that 3D printing generally is a resolution to on a regular basis  issues. When life throws you an issue, look to 3D printing for a soulution.
3D Printed watch strap element
