Misunderstood Activity
I do not teach a course, but part of my role is to support users at our library makerspace in learning how to use and create with our 3D printers. To make the most of these tools, students must familiarize themselves with the different parameters necessary to prepare a 3D model for printing. Currently, the instruction is provided through an online tutorial or an in-person workshop.
One of the parameters that students are taught when preparing their 3D print is what’s known as ‘infill’. Infill refers to the amount of filament used to provide internal support and density of the 3D print- not to be confused with the ‘shell’, which refers to the outer layer of the print.
Understanding what different infill density means is important. A lower infill means a quicker print time and less filament used, but with reduced structural integrity. A higher infill usually results in a longer print time, more filament used, and a more structurally sound print.
An analogy to describe ‘infill’ could be the process of baking a cake. Infill could be thought of as the amount of cake batter used when layering the cake, which would determine the overall structural integrity of the cake and how much time it would take in the oven. The amount of batter used also determines the overall texture and flavour of the cake once it’s baked. The ‘shell’, on the other hand, can be thought of the frosting that’s applied to the outside of the cake once it’s baked.
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