The Framers Forum

I’m experimenting with applying 3D printed frame decoration. This is the first attempt. The model was printed and heated in a microwave to soften before forming it to shape. Glue and pinned in place and the a little filler. Any thoughts?

That's clever.
Is the material the sort of plastic that is used in the 3D printer?
Are you restricted to only using that material?
More questions -
How long does it take to produce one ornament.?
Do you scan for a copy of the original?

The material is Wood combined with PLA. Fairly common 3D printing filament.

The ornaments are 3D models available commercially although to make your own takes some effort. That’s something I’m
Working on.

Each ornament takes about and hour and a half to print. On my printers I can do about 10 at a time and leave them overnight to print.

Thanks for the reply.
On a recent frame restoration, I needed a mirror image of one of the ornaments. I was able to send the ornament to a 3D printing co. where they scaned the original, created a mirror image and printed that off for me.
Using that I was able to make a mould and reproduce a series of the same in compo.
Can you do that? - I mean scan an original?

That's an interesting ideal. Have you thought about making a reverse of that a a mould for use with compo instead, That might be an interesting marketing oppotunity for you. These days, swept frames with added ornamentation are less of a main market thing, but there may be a better market for those who make such frames to order. I'm wondering if making moulds to press heated compo into might be a good market for you and maybe some framers might be interested in purchasing such moulds from you.

BTW, I am really impressed with what you have done, thus far. Quite amazing!

I can make reverse moulds and carve them in boxwood but there are limitations. Mainly you can’t cut overhangs, whereas you can with 3D printing. Have you seen the price of boxwood!!!

The scanning is the tricky bit in as much as a decent 3D scanner is pretty pricy but they are becoming available. Give it a couple of years and I may get one…in the meantime. Middling form phots works ok if rather time consuming.

Looking Good Alan.

Can I ask if the ornaments are paint-friendly?

Hi, yes they are, I’ve just painted the one above. Using a emulsion with added whiting to act as a filler. I can’t attest for other material but the Cosplay and props community’s are heavily into painted 3D stuff.

I’m working on a few more samples and might do a whole frame at some stage. Watch this space.

Seeing you don't have a 3D scanner; is there any way you could contract out the scanning and feed the data/info into your printer?

There already is a supplier of wood/medium ornaments ie WoodUbend.
They do all the usual corner flourishes but don't include any simple 'running patterns' that would be of value to framing. I'm thinking of simple beading and a lamb's tongue detail.

You could create a moulding wheel with your printer and use it to run off lengths of compo and stick them on some of the bare wood frames you sell to artists.
Something to think about?

A
Moulding wheel
Is a good idea. I’ll give that a go.

I’ve applied a rough finish. I’m no expert at this but I think it’s worthy of more experimentation.

Looks good.
I was looking on the WoodUBend web site and they do a few running patterns. They call them Trims.
The dimensions are too wide to be useful for most frames except large mirrors maybe, so there still is opportunity to produce more useful ornaments.

interesting