Budget

[HachiMichi42]

Hello World!
I currently am building an infinite Chief Suit. However, I am running into three major issues:

1. I do not have any tools of my own other than the school makerspace they do not seem to have a shortage of tools but also this means I have no dedicated workspace.
2. Although 3D printing at my school may be free there is some limited time to print things, most of the time it lasts around 4 hours (and from 4pm-8am) thus parts either need to be smaller or need to have less innards to make.
3. I am running on a very limited budget, I don't have a job and am currently hunting for one.

I already bought the Galactic Armory's Chief model but I am having issues with learning how to print the parts in segments.
I am currently contacting the person in charge of all of the printers in my school's engineering building to see if I could be allowed to have the extra time I need on the printers.
Also the Filament I am working with is PLA since it is provided by the school. And the 3d printers is the Lulzbot TAZ Workhorse which has these dimensions to print with: 280 mm x 280 mm x 285 mm.
Thanks for hearing me out!

 

[SpartanSweed]

With how your schedule seems to be, 3D printing big parts may not be possible. Have you done anything with foam before?

 

[TurboCharizard]

You might be able to split pieces into small segments using 3D Builder or Meshmixer but I'd expect a full suit to be in the range of 150-200 segments if you're limited to a few hours per print. Cleanup and strengthening the assembled pieces so you're probably going to be spending a considerable amount more on sanding equipment, adhesives and epoxies as well as time.

 

[HachiMichi42]

With how your schedule seems to be, 3D printing big parts may not be possible. Have you done anything with foam before?

I have worked with foam, I found out what I did wrong with my first chestpiece as the foam I got was incredibly thick and had texture on one end that is probably rubber as I wasnt aware of it having rubber on it when I bought it from the store. Currently I am about to buy some floormats to use for this project I have access to really good adhesive, and I also have a heat gun to form the foam.

 

[HachiMichi42]

You might be able to split pieces into small segments using 3D Builder or Meshmixer but I'd expect a full suit to be in the range of 150-200 segments if you're limited to a few hours per print. Cleanup and strengthening the assembled pieces so you're probably going to be spending a considerable amount more on sanding equipment, adhesives and epoxies as well as time.

So, from a cost perspective, foam is probably the way to go?

 

[Cadet]

If you are on a budget and only have limited access to the 3D printer, I think foam might be the way to go.

 

[TurboCharizard]

So, from a cost perspective, foam is probably the way to go?

From a cost of time, most certainly.
If you can only print one part a day then doing a full suit would be several months. Foam construction depending on your speed and quality that you're going for can be done in a fraction of that time.