Three-Dimensional Printing
Figure 2 : Workfl ow of fi le conversion and processing from microscopy images to 3D printed model. See text for details.
representation of our image ( Figure 1 ). T is also allowed us to specifi cally tailor the amount of detail (and consequently the fi le size) of the rendered object. Files were exported from Imaris as .vrml fi les, and the fi le extension was manually changed to .wrl to facilitate import into the open-sourced soſt ware Blender (
blender.org ). Blender was then used to convert the fi le to the required .stl format for import into the Makerware. Figure 2 shows a fl owchart of this workfl ow.
Following import into Makerware, the image was appropriately sized for printing. For one continuous run we limited the printed diameter to approximately 10 cm. When larger models were made, we divided these into 2 halves or 4 quarters to allow each piece to be printed individually (an example of a halved model is shown in Figure 3 ). In order to print the detail of the F-actin fi laments, which includes spider-like protrusions, the printed image was generated on
28
Figure 3 : Image rendering in MakerBot software and the printing process. Half the F-actin model is shown, both rendered in software prior to printing and during the print procedure. The model shown is printed with ABS fi lament for F-actin (blue) and dissolvable fi lament for the base (white).
a base that includes fi ller to support these elements. Although early iterations of our model included this base in a neutral color distinct from our F-actin structures, we later used dissolvable fi lament to fi rst generate the support base, which was subsequently dissolved away. Dissolvable fi lament is similar to the ABS fi lament used elsewhere in our design but dissolves in D-limonene (Sigma), a non-toxic, citrus-scented solvent. T e MakerBot Replicator 2X has dual extruders, so for our model we printed the F-actin structure with one extruder and the dissolvable base and supports with the second. T e printing process itself took approximately 2 hours and, although supervision was required, was usually error-free. Printing was done at standard speed (90 mm/s extrusion speed, 150 mm/s travel speed), at 255°C for the dissolvable fi lament and 233°C for the ABS fi lament. Dissolution of the
www.microscopy-today.com • 2015 July
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