3D Printing The Game of Thrones Scorpion

Being Qyburn’s one stop shop for 3D printing, we were tasked with 3D printing the scorpion crossbow prototype for Queen Cersei. We want to keep our heads, so we went with the dependable Formlabs Form 2. We know Cersei doesn’t like to leave much to the imagination.. So we needed a 3D printer that would capture the finest detail on our design.

CAD Model Preparation

Firstly we use SolidWorks to add 3D textures to our design. Reason being, we can physically print textures like wood grain onto our model, which looks great when printing at only 20 micron resolution using a Form 2.

Once we have the model looking how we want we can export the parts for printing as STL files.

Preform 3D Print Preparation

Now we move to Preform – Formlabs very own software suite for preparing STL files for 3D printing. The following steps are taken to get the model ready for print.

• Select a resolution to print at
• Import the STL file
• Scale the model if required
• Orientate the model thinking about how the part is going to be printed (see our SLA training course)
• Generate supports (you can manually place and delete supports if required)
• You can import multiple models and generate supports on all of them, to print multiple parts at once to dramatically cut down on manufacture time.
• You can visualize each layer slice to understand how the model will be printed
• Finally you can upload the job to the printer and also track the print progress online.

3D Print Process

Using standard grey resin the Formlabs uses SLA (stereolithography) to print the parts for the Scorpion crossbow.

Post Processing

Once the print is finished we can remove the print and place it in the Form wash. The wash automates the cleaning process circulating IPA fluid around the print and bed.

Depending on the material used we set a cure time, Form cure evenly exposes the model to UV light and heat. The process cures and hardens the resin.

All that is left to do now is remove the 3D printed supports, give the model a light sand and assemble the parts, its as easy as that. One more scorpion crossbow to protect the Red Keep.

Finished Model

Feel free to contact us on sales@solidprint3d.co.uk or 01926 333 777 to let us help you find the right 3D printer for your business.

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