In this project, we set out to design and build a custom 3D scanner turntable using pine wood and the Shaper Origin in 3DExperience Lab - Munich Fablab . The goal was to create a robust and precise turntable that could enhance our 3D scanning capabilities. From material preparation to the final assembly, this guide walks you through each step of the process, including custom engravings and rotational enhancements. Whether you're working on a similar project or just curious about the process, follow along to see how we brought this turntable to life.
1) Material Selection and Preparation
For this project, we chose MDF as our primary material for constructing the turntable. To prevent damaging the table surface during the cutting process, we placed some leftover laser-cut parts, each 3mm in height, underneath the pine wood. These leftover laser-cut parts acted as spacers, ensuring the cutting tool wouldn’t accidentally cut into the table.
We secured these 3mm spacers to the table using double-sided tape to prevent any movement during the cutting process. Once the spacers were fixed in place, we used the same double-sided tape to adhere the pine wood onto the spacers. This method provided a stable base, ensuring that the pine wood would remain flat and secure throughout the cutting process.
2) Setting Up the Shaper Origin
Next, we prepared the Shaper Origin tool by applying Shaper tape across the pine wood surface. The Shaper tape is crucial as it allows the Shaper Origin to scan and understand the exact position of the cutting area, providing a reference grid that the tool uses for precise cutting.
After applying the tape, we used the Shaper Origin to scan the entire work area. The scanning process creates a digital map of the workspace, allowing us to accurately place and size the design elements directly on the pine wood through the Shaper tool’s interface.
3) Designing and Cutting the Turntable
With the workspace scanned, we switched to the design section within the Shaper Origin tool. Here, we selected the circle tool to create the main shape of our turntable. We carefully entered the desired diameter for the turntable and then positioned the circle precisely on the pine wood using the digital interface of the Shaper Origin.
In the cut section, we defined the cutting depth. Considering that our pine wood was 3mm above the table due to the spacers, we set the cutting depth to be 1mm deeper than the thickness of the pine wood. This ensured a clean cut all the way through the material, avoiding any uncut edges at the bottom. Additionally, we configured the Shaper Origin’s Z-touch function to automatically detect the tool’s end, which is critical for accurate depth control. We also entered the exact diameter of the end mill to match the cutting tool we were using.
4) Initiating the Cutting Process
Before starting the cut, we connected our Festool vacuum to the Shaper Origin. The vacuum setup was essential for keeping the workspace clean by removing dust and debris generated during the cutting process.
Following the guidance provided by the Shaper Origin, we began the cutting process. As we proceeded, we noticed that the machine could experience slight vibrations when it lost sight of the Shaper tape, which could affect the cutting quality. This observation highlighted the importance of ensuring the tape is applied evenly and is visible to the machine at all times during cutting.
As we started the cutting process, we noticed slight vibrations and minor inaccuracies due to the tool occasionally losing sight of the Shaper tape. To correct these issues and achieve a perfect circle, we decided to recut the pine wood with a small offset, ensuring the best possible shape.
5) Engraving 3DExperience Lab Logo
After successfully cutting the circular turntable, we decided to add a custom touch by engraving the 3DExperience Lab logo onto the surface. To do this, we needed an SVG file of our logo. However, creating a compatible SVG file for the Shaper Origin required specific settings during the export process in Adobe Illustrator.
We began by using the Shaper Origin Ai (adobe illustrator) template available on their website, which provides detailed instructions on how to prepare files for cutting or engraving. You can find this template and a step-by-step guide here.
Once the design was ready, we exported the file as an SVG. Due to recent changes in Illustrator (version 28.4.1), the standard SVG export wasn’t directly compatible with the Shaper Origin. Instead, we had to select “Save As” and choose SVG as the file type. After saving, we used the “SVG Code” option, which opened the plain XML code in a TXT file. We saved this file and then manually changed the file extension from .txt to .svg, ensuring compatibility with the Shaper Origin. Here you can see detailed explanation.
6) Engraving Process and Finishing
We transferred the SVG file to the Shaper Origin via USB and positioned it precisely where we wanted the logo to be engraved on the pine wood turntable. In the design section of the Shaper Origin, we adjusted the size of the logo, scaled it to fit our design, and placed it exactly where needed.
Before starting the engraving, we defined the Z-touch settings again, ensuring the engraving tool end was correctly calibrated. We also selected the cutting mode, choosing to engrave rather than cut through the material. With everything set, we began engraving the logo.
Once the engraving was complete, we spray-painted the entire surface of the turntable, including the logo, using black spray paint. The black color would enhance the visibility of the scanned objects on the turntable during the 3D scanning process, ensuring clear and accurate scans.
7) Enhancing Turntable Rotation
To further improve the rotation of the turntable, we designed and 3D-printed specific components that would allow the turntable to rotate more smoothly. We already had a basic turning mechanism, but to make the rotation easier and more stable, we created two parts: one for the outer portion and another for the inner portion of the rotating mechanism. The outer part was glued to the bottom of the turntable, while the inner part was fixed to the table itself. This setup allowed for a much smoother and more controlled rotation, providing a stable and consistent platform for precise 3D scanning.
8) Final Product
The completed 3D scanner turntable, now featuring a custom-engraved logo and improved rotational mechanics, is ready to be used in precision 3D scanning tasks. The detailed planning and execution in cutting, engraving, and assembling have resulted in a high-quality, functional turntable that meets our project’s requirements.
