diff --git a/Current-Challenge.md b/Current-Challenge.md index d4ee216..7322a6c 100644 --- a/Current-Challenge.md +++ b/Current-Challenge.md @@ -1,62 +1,53 @@ [← Back to Home Page](Home) -# Current Challenge: November 2025 +# Current Challenge: October 2025 -## "Wait, This Was Printed? How Are There No Layer Lines?" +## "Is it Glass or Clearly Natural?" -Can you achieve the smoothest, most layer-line-free surface finish possible? This challenge pushes your printer tuning, slicer settings, and material knowledge to the limit. The goal is simple but difficult: create a 25mm cube with 2 walls and no top that looks so smooth, people question whether it was actually 3D printed! +Experience the clarity of 3D Fuel's "Clearly Natural" filament in this transparency-focused challenge! Participants will attempt to create the clearest possible print, testing the limits of clear filament printing techniques. ## Challenge Details ### Materials & Constraints -- **Filament**: 3D Fuel filament (any type: PLA+, Pro PLA+, PCTG etc.) -- **Nozzle Requirement**: Must use a 0.4mm nozzle (REQUIRED) -- **Estimated Filament Usage**: Approximately 3 grams (for reference only) -- **Model Specification**: - - **Dimensions**: Exactly 25mm × 25mm × 25mm cube (REQUIRED) - - **Wall Count**: Exactly 2 walls (no more, no less) (REQUIRED) - - **Top Layers**: 0 (no top surface) - - **Bottom Layers**: Standard (as needed for proper adhesion) - - **Infill**: 0% (hollow interior) -- **Print Mode**: Standard FDM/FFF printing (no resin printing) +- **Filament**: 3D Fuel "Clearly Natural" - Available in two variations: + - PCTG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) + - PLA (Polylactic Acid) +- **Maximum Filament Usage**: 250g per entry +- **Model Specification**: Cylinder - 25mm diameter x 50mm height +- **Print Mode**: Vase mode (approximately 6 grams of filament) ### Competition Categories -- **Smoothest Surface**: Best overall surface finish with minimal visible layer lines straight off the printer -- **No post-processing allowed** - cubes must be judged as-printed +- **PCTG Division**: For prints using Clearly Natural PCTG +- **PLA Division**: For prints using Clearly Natural PLA +- **Overall Winner**: Best clarity across both divisions ### Judging Criteria -1. **Layer Line Visibility** (100%): The appearance and visibility of layer lines - less visible is better - - All cubes must meet basic challenge requirements (25mm cube dimensions, exactly 2 walls, 0.4mm nozzle, no post-processing) - - Winner is determined solely by smoothness of surface and minimal layer line appearance +1. **Clarity & Transparency** (40%): How clear and glass-like is the final print? +2. **Print Quality** (30%): Surface finish, layer adhesion, and overall structural integrity +3. **Technique Innovation** (20%): Creative printing techniques to maximize transparency +4. **Challenge Adherence** (10%): Following material constraints and using supplied model ### Submission Requirements -- **Physical Model**: Bring your printed 25mm cube to the December meetup for judging -- **Dimension Verification**: Must be exactly 25mm × 25mm × 25mm -- **Wall Count Verification**: Must show exactly 2 walls when inspected -- **Nozzle Verification**: Must be printed with 0.4mm nozzle -- **Settings Documentation**: Share your winning settings (layer height, temperature, speed, cooling, techniques) -- **Process Notes**: Brief description of your approach +- **Model Compliance**: Cylinder must measure 25mm diameter x 50mm height +- **Vase Mode**: Must be printed in vase mode (single perimeter wall) +- **Weight Verification**: Should use approximately 6 grams of filament +- **Documentation**: Include photos showing transparency (with light sources) +- **Settings Documentation**: Share printer settings used (layer height, temperature, speed, etc.) +- **Process Notes**: Brief description of techniques used to achieve clarity ## Timeline -- **Challenge Announcement**: November 12, 2025 (at November meetup) -- **Submission Deadline**: December 10, 2025 (at December meetup) -- **Judging Period**: December 10, 2025 (during December meetup) -- **Winner Announcement**: December 10, 2025 (end of December meetup) +- **Challenge Announcement**: October 1, 2025 +- **Model Specification Released**: October 13, 2025 +- **Submission Deadline**: October 28, 2025 +- **Judging Period**: October 29-30, 2025 +- **Winner Announcement**: October 31, 2025 -## Creating the Cube Model - -### Using the Provided Model - -**Download the pre-configured cube:** - -- **File Location**: [Challenge Files/November2025/Cube.3mf](https://meetup.fargo3d.com/Fargo3d/3DPrintMeetup/src/branch/master/Challenge%20Files/November2025/Cube.3mf) -- **Pre-configured**: Already set to 25mm × 25mm × 25mm with 2 walls and no top -- **Ready to slice**: Import into your slicer and adjust settings for your printer +## Creating the Cylinder Model ### Using Bambu Studio diff --git a/Home.md b/Home.md index c8a3652..beeb720 100644 --- a/Home.md +++ b/Home.md @@ -22,8 +22,9 @@ Welcome to the official wiki for our monthly 3D printing meetup! This wiki conta ### 🏆 Current Challenges -- **[Current Challenge](Current-Challenge)** - November 2025: "Wait, This Was Printed? How Are There No Layer Lines?" -- **[Challenge Archive](Challenge-Archive)** - Past and upcoming challenges +- **[Active Challenge](Current-Challenge)** - October 2025: "Is it Glass or Clearly Natural?" +- **[Upcoming Challenge](Upcoming-Challenge)** - November 2025: "Wait, This Was Printed? How Are There No Layer Lines?" +- **[Challenge Archive](Challenge-Archive)** - Past challenges - **[How to Participate](Challenge-Participation)** - Guide for joining challenges ### 🤝 Community Resources diff --git a/Upcoming-Challenge.md b/Upcoming-Challenge.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e416c15 --- /dev/null +++ b/Upcoming-Challenge.md @@ -0,0 +1,75 @@ +[← Back to Home Page](Home) + +# Upcoming Challenge: November 2025 + +## "Wait, This Was Printed? How Are There No Layer Lines?" + +Can you achieve the smoothest, most layer-line-free surface finish possible? This challenge pushes your printer tuning, slicer settings, and material knowledge to the limit. The goal is simple but difficult: create a 25mm cube with 2 walls and no top that looks so smooth, people question whether it was actually 3D printed! + +## Challenge Details + +### Materials & Constraints + +- **Filament**: 3D Fuel filament (any type: PLA+, Pro PLA+, PCTG etc.) +- **Nozzle Requirement**: Must use a 0.4mm nozzle (REQUIRED) +- **Estimated Filament Usage**: Approximately 3 grams (for reference only) +- **Model Specification**: + - **Dimensions**: Exactly 25mm × 25mm × 25mm cube (REQUIRED) + - **Wall Count**: Exactly 2 walls (no more, no less) (REQUIRED) + - **Top Layers**: 0 (no top surface) + - **Bottom Layers**: Standard (as needed for proper adhesion) + - **Infill**: 0% (hollow interior) +- **Print Mode**: Standard FDM/FFF printing (no resin printing) + +### Competition Categories + +- **Smoothest Surface**: Best overall surface finish with minimal visible layer lines straight off the printer +- **No post-processing allowed** - cubes must be judged as-printed + +### Judging Criteria + +1. **Layer Line Visibility** (100%): The appearance and visibility of layer lines - less visible is better + - All cubes must meet basic challenge requirements (25mm cube dimensions, exactly 2 walls, 0.4mm nozzle, no post-processing) + - Winner is determined solely by smoothness of surface and minimal layer line appearance + +### Submission Requirements + +- **Physical Model**: Bring your printed 25mm cube to the December meetup for judging +- **Dimension Verification**: Must be exactly 25mm × 25mm × 25mm +- **Wall Count Verification**: Must show exactly 2 walls when inspected +- **Nozzle Verification**: Must be printed with 0.4mm nozzle +- **Settings Documentation**: Share your winning settings (layer height, temperature, speed, cooling, techniques) +- **Process Notes**: Brief description of your approach + +## Timeline + +- **Challenge Announcement**: November 12, 2025 (at November meetup) +- **Submission Deadline**: December 10, 2025 (at December meetup) +- **Judging Period**: December 10, 2025 (during December meetup) +- **Winner Announcement**: December 10, 2025 (end of December meetup) + +## Creating the Cube Model + +### Using the Provided Model + +**Download the pre-configured cube:** + +- **File Location**: [Challenge Files/November2025/Cube.3mf](https://meetup.fargo3d.com/Fargo3d/3DPrintMeetup/src/branch/master/Challenge%20Files/November2025/Cube.3mf) +- **Pre-configured**: Already set to 25mm × 25mm × 25mm with 2 walls and no top +- **Ready to slice**: Import into your slicer and adjust settings for your printer + +### Creating from Scratch + +See the full [November 2025 Challenge Details](https://meetup.fargo3d.com/Fargo3d/3DPrintMeetup/src/branch/master/challenges/November-2025) for complete instructions on creating the model using Bambu Studio, Orca Slicer, or other CAD software. + +## Tips for Success + +- **Lower layer heights** (0.1mm-0.12mm) help reduce visible lines +- **Slower speeds** improve surface quality +- **Temperature tuning** is critical for layer adhesion +- **Proper cooling** prevents warping without sacrificing layer bonding +- **Material choice** matters - some 3D Fuel filaments naturally produce smoother surfaces + +--- + +**This challenge will become active on November 12, 2025**