Crown block model for the oil and gas industry, modelled in 3D CAD and printed by PrototypeBD
A desk-sized model of a drilling-rig crown block, 3D designed in-house and printed in one colour. One photo shows the CAD model on screen next to the printed part.
Specifications
- Process
- FDM 3D printing
- Colour
- Yellow
- Object
- Crown block (drilling-rig equipment) model
- CAD
- 3D designed by PrototypeBD (as posted)
- Shown
- Base deck, railing frame, drums and grooved sheaves
- Size
- Fits on one open hand (from photos)
- Completed
A crown block is the set of pulleys (sheaves) at the top of a drilling rig's mast that carries the drill line. PrototypeBD made this model from scratch: the post credits the 3D design and development to PrototypeBD, and the print came from that model.
From CAD to print
The cover photo says it best: the shaded CAD assembly is open on the monitor, with its long list of bodies in the browser panel, and the printed part is held up in front of it. The two match feature for feature:
- a base deck with a raised rim;
- an open railing frame around three sides;
- large flanged drums and grooved sheaves sitting on supports inside the frame.
Designing for the printer
A model like this is built as many separate bodies, then checked so the thin rails and the drum flanges will print cleanly. In the photos the railings are straight and unbroken and the sheave grooves are crisp, printed in a single bright yellow.
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3D design and printing: PrototypeBD.
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