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  1. #1

    Making Electrical Outlet Wall Plates

    What would your suggestions be if I want to 3D print and design some custom wall plates for electrical outlets in my nephews bedroom? How would I go about designing something? Should I try and find a scanner, and then scan a traditional outlet cover first, or design starting from scratch? Also what software would you suggest?

    Martin

  2. #2
    Staff Engineer
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    I don't think you really need a scanner for this. The only critical dimensions are the spacing of the screw holes and the size of the hole for the switch. You should be able to determine those with regular measuring tools, like a digital caliper. If you don't have any design software yet, you can use a demo of Cubify Design, Rhino3d, MOI or another commercial program, or use a freeware program like Sketchup. Generate a 3D model that's thick enough to print easily and is watertight (you don't want any holes or gaps in the model), then save it as a STL.

    Andrew Werby
    www.computersculpture.com

  3. #3
    Super Moderator RobH2's Avatar
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    Martin,

    That's a really fun idea, especially if you used glow-in-the-dark filament. I would be willing to help you out with that. The basic parameters would be easy to build a model of. I could do that for you and then you could decide what other elements you want to add. Do you have any kind of software that you can model in?

    Rob
    Bambu P1S/AMS
    NVision4D http://nvision4d.com

  4. #4
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    Found this on Thingiverse the other day. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:47956. Thats a start.

  5. #5
    Super Moderator RobH2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by PhotoSteve View Post
    Found this on Thingiverse the other day. http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:47956. Thats a start.
    Nice find. Thanks.
    Bambu P1S/AMS
    NVision4D http://nvision4d.com

  6. #6
    That's actually an awesome idea. Glow in the dark wall plates. What have you made with it Rob?

    Quote Originally Posted by RobH2 View Post
    Martin,

    That's a really fun idea, especially if you used glow-in-the-dark filament. I would be willing to help you out with that. The basic parameters would be easy to build a model of. I could do that for you and then you could decide what other elements you want to add. Do you have any kind of software that you can model in?

    Rob

  7. #7
    Super Moderator RobH2's Avatar
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    I haven't used it yet but every time I order filament and see it I think how cool it might be. Just never had a need but now there is a reason. I should try some. I'm sure someone here can tell you if it's worth the the money. Bad glow-in-the-dark stuff is dim and fades quickly. I don't know how well it glows. If you find any threads about it here, start one.
    Bambu P1S/AMS
    NVision4D http://nvision4d.com

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