Serenity 3D Printing Model | Assembly

ABOUT THIS 3D MODEL

Serenity is a small transport vessel used by a nine-person smuggler crew within Joss Whedon's sci-fi television series Firefly. Vaguely resembling the insect of the same name, the spaceship was purchased by Captain Malcolm Reynolds in the aftermath of a galactic Unification war and named after the Battle of Serenity Valley, the final decisive battle in the civil war. Although the space drama series lasted only fourteen episodes, both the show and the Firefly-class ship won the hearts of a huge army of fans who still list Serenity among their all-time favourite sci-fi spaceships. The author of this 3D printing project is no exception - the imaginative mind behind the awesome fictional machine spent 115 hours to prepare the legendary transportation means for any enthusiast to 3D print. Inspired by one of the most memorable and recognisable ships in science fiction, Serenity for 3D printing is made to depict every fine detail of the vessel’s design and is provided with awesome bonus features like tunnels for LED wiring or transparent bridge windows. Serenity might be not the most reliable transport - it always breaks down, seems to be mostly patched up with duct tape and even lacks any weapons! But what made it so well-loved by the large audience, must be Serenity’s warm and lived-in nature and love of the crew members that, according to the captain, “keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down, tells ya she's hurtin' 'fore she keens, makes her home.” 

ADAPTATION FOR 3D PRINTING

Serenity spaceship for 3D printing is a static assembly model and its moderation and adaptation for different types of 3D printers took Gambody team 38 hours in total. For you to receive the cleanest printing result possible and to minimise the amount of filament needed for generated support the Firefly-class vessel model was divided into many assembly parts, e.g. each solar panel, field generator housing, heat exchangers, cargo door, engine deployment jacks etc. are provided as separate STL files. The cargo door located at the front of the spaceship can be opened to access the lower deck. The windows on the bridge are also provided as six separate files for you to print them using transparent filament. There can be found special tunnels leading into the primary thruster and both main engines that were designed by our team for you to easily introduce LED wiring. For you to display Serenity in a flight position there is a special stand provided. Moreover, there is also a 1:200 Shuttle model available for you to complement Serenity's FFF/FDM version. All the assembly parts are provided in STL files in recommended positions that were worked out so to ensure the smoothness of the details’ surfaces after printing and so that the 3D printing beginners won't face difficulties when placing the parts on a build plate. 

The model is saved in STL files, a format supported by most 3D printers. All STL files for 3D printing have been checked in Netfabb and no errors were shown.

The model's scale was calculated from the Serenity's actual length that is 82100 mm. The 3D printing model's chosen scale is 1/200 for FFF/FDM version and 1/400 for DLP/SLA/SLS version.

VERSIONS' SPECIFICATIONS

FFF/FDM 1.0 version features:
- Contains 54 parts;
- A printed model is 230 mm tall, 256 mm wide, 390 mm deep;
- Assembly kit includes one lock 49_Ge_lock_10_x23 to connect parts securely without glue that needs to be printed 23 times;
- Rear engine baffles 53_flap_big_x4 and 54_flap_small_x4 need to be printed 4 times each and will require glue for assembly;
- Static Discharge Spikes located above the bridge come as separate file 22_antens_x12 that needs to be printed 12 times;
- Windows on the bridge are provided separately to be printed with the transparent filament for you to access the highly-detailed cockpit;
- Tunnels throughout the spaceship's body are provided for LED wiring to light up the primary thruster and both main engines that are shown in flight position;
- The cargo door located at the front can be opened and closed;
- The version's scale corresponds with the 1:200 version of the Shuttle model that can be attached;
- There are alternative vertical engines to display Serenity coming in to land (24_v2_turbine_2_vert_R; 26_v2_turbine_2_vert_L);
- The main engine is also provided with an alternative cutting to light up the reactors and field generator housing. This version comes with reactor covers separated for you to print them with transparent filament;
- All parts are divided in such a way that you will print them with the smallest number of support structures.

DLP/SLA/SLS 1.0 version features:
- Contains 27 parts;
- A printed model is 115 mm tall, 128 mm wide, 195 mm deep;
- Rear engine baffles 26_flap_big_x4 and 27_flap_small_x4 need to be printed 4 times each and will require glue for assembly;
- Windows on the bridge are provided separately to be printed with the transparent filament for you to access the highly-detailed cockpit;
- Tunnels throughout the spaceship's body are provided for LED wiring to light up the primary thruster;
- The cargo door located at the front can be opened and closed; 
- All parts are divided in such a way to fit the build plates and to ensure that support structures are generated where needed.

WHAT WILL YOU GET AFTER PURCHASE?

- STL files of Serenity Model for 3D printing which consist of 81 parts;
- 2 versions of files for this model for FFF/FDM and DLP/SLA/SLS printers;
- High-poly detailed model of Serenity​;
- Detailed settings that we provide as a recommendation for Cura , Simplify3D and Slic3r for the best print;
- Full technical support from the Gambody Support Team.

You can get the model of Serenity​ for 3D Printing immediately after the purchase! Just click the green Buy button in the top-right corner of the model’s page. You can pay with PayPal or your credit card.

Watch the tutorial on how to assemble Serenity​ 3D Printing Model at Gambody YouTube channel.

Also, you may like the other Space Ships 3D Printing Models as well as Serenity Shuttle 3D Printing Model.

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FAQ: 
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This model was tested in Cura 3.4.1 and printed on an Ultimaker 2 in PLA material. Below you can find printing recommendations for Cura, Simplify3D and Slic3r softwares.

Cura printing recommendations:

Recommendations: For all parts of Locks you need to change "Brim" type to "Skirt" in Build Plate Adhesion section.

To avoid printing problems, we recommend the following settings:

Quality
Layer Height: 0.1 mm
Initial Layer Height: 0.3 mm
Line Width: 0.4 mm
 Wall Line Width: 0.4 mm
   Outer Wall Line Width: 0.4 mm
   Inner Wall(s) Line Width: 0.4 mm
 Top/Bottom Line Width: 0.4 mm
 Infill Line Width: 0.4 mm
 Skirt/Brim Line Width: 0.4 mm
Support Line Width: 0.4 mm
 Initial Layer Line Width: 100%

Shell
Wall Thickness: 0.8 mm
    Wall Line Count: 2
Outer Wall Wipe Distance: 0.2 mm
Top Surface Skin Layers: 0
Top/Bottom Thickness: 0.8 mm
   Top Thickness: 0.8 mm
      Top Layers: 8
    Bottom Thickness: 0.8 mm
      Bottom Layers: 8
Top/Bottom Pattern: Lines
Bottom Pattern Initial Layer: Lines
Top/Bottom Line Directions: [ ]
Outer Wall Inset: 0 mm
Compensate Wall Overlaps: Check
    Compensate Outer Wall Overlaps: Check
    Compensate Inner Wall Overlaps: Check
Fill Gaps Between Walls: Everywhere
Filter Out Tiny Gaps: Check
Horizontal Expansion: 0 mm
Initial Layer Horizontal Expansion: 0 mm
Z Seam Alignment: Sharpest Corner
Seam Corner Preference: Hide Seam
Ignore Small Z Gaps: Check
Extra Skin Wall Count: 1

Infill
Infill Density: 20%
Infill Line Distance: 4.0 mm
Infill Pattern: Grid
Infill Line Directions: [ ]
Infill X Offset: 0 mm
Infill Y Offset: 0 mm
Infill Overlap Percentage: 10%
    Infill Overlap: 0.04 mm
Skin Overlap Percentage: 5%
    Skin Overlap: 0.02 mm
Infill Wipe Distance: 0.1 mm
Infill Layer Thickness: 0.1 mm
Gradual Infill Steps: 1
Gradual Infill Steps Height: 1.5 mm
Infill Before Walls: Check
Minimum Infill Area: 0 mm2
Skin Removal Width: 0.8 mm
    Top Skin Removal Width: 0.8 mm
    Bottom Skin Removal Width: 0.8 mm
Skin Expand Distance: 0.8
    Top Skin Expand Distance: 0.8
    Bottom Skin Expand Distance: 0.8
Maximum Skin Angle for Expansion: 90˚
    Minimum Skin Width for Expansion: 0.0

Material
Initial Layer Flow: 100%
Enable Retraction: Check
Retraction Extra Prime Amount: 0 mm3
Retraction Minimum Travel: 0.8 mm
Maximum Retraction Count: 90
Minimum Extrusion Distance Window: 6.5 mm
Nozzle Switch Retraction Distance: 16 mm
Nozzle Switch Retraction Speed: 20 mm/s
    Nozzle Switch Retract Speed: 20 mm/s
    Nozzle Switch Prime Speed: 20 mm/s

Speed 
Print Speed: 45 mm/s
    Infill Speed: 45 mm/s
    Wall Speed: 22.5 mm/s
      Outer Wall Speed: 22.5 mm/s
      Inner Wall Speed: 45 mm/s
    Top/Bottom Speed: 15 mm/s
Travel Speed: 45 mm/s
Initial Layer Speed: 22.5 mm/s
  Initial Layer Print Speed: 22.5 mm/s
  Initial Layer Travel Speed: 30 mm/s
Skirt/Brim Speed: 30 mm/s
Maximum Z Speed: 0 mm/s
Number of Slower Layers: 2

Travel 
Combing Mode: All
Avoid Printed Parts when Traveling: Check
Travel Avoid Distance: 0.625 mm
Layer Start X: 0.0 mm
Layer Start Y: 0.0 mm

Cooling 
Enable Print Cooling: Check
Fan Speed: 100%
    Regular Fan Speed: 100%
    Maximum Fan Speed: 100%
Regular/Maximum Fan Speed Threshold: 10 s
Initial Fan Speed: 0%
Regular Fan Speed at Height: 0.3 mm
    Regular Fan Speed at Layer: 2
Minimum Layer Time: 5 s
Minimum Speed: 10 mm/s

Support 
Generate Support: Check
Support Placement: Everywhere
Support Overhang Angle: 50°
Support Pattern: Zig Zag
Connect Support ZigZags: Check
Support Density: 15 %
    Support Line Distance: 3 mm
Support Z Distance: 0.1 mm
    Support Top Distance: 0.1 mm
    Support Bottom Distance: 0.1 mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1 mm
Support Distance Priority: Z overrides X/Y
Minimum Support X/Y Distance: 0.25 mm
Support Stair Step Height: 0.3 mm
Support Stair Step Maximum Width: 5.0 mm
Support Join Distance: 2.0 mm
Support Horizontal Expansion: 0.2 mm
Support Infill Layer Thickness: 0.1 mm
Gradual Support Infill Steps: 0
Use Towers: Check
Tower Diameter: 3.0 mm
Minimum Diameter: 3.0 mm
Tower Roof Angle: 65°

Build Plate Adhesion 
Build Plate Adhesion Type: Brim (for all parts of locks use "Skirt")
Skirt/Brim Minimum Length: 250 mm
Brim Width: 8.0 mm
    Brim Line Count: 18
Brim Only on Outside: Check

Mesh Fixes 
Union Overlapping Volumes: Check
Merged Meshes Overlap: 0.15 mm

Special Modes
Print Sequence: All at Once
Surface Mode: Normal

Experimental
Slicing Tolerance: Middle
Maximum Resolution: 0.01 mm
Flow rate compensation max extrusion offset: 0 mm
Flow rate compensation factor: 100%

Disclaimer: This model will look outstanding if printed on SLA/SLS 3D printer. The accuracy of the model printed on FFF printer can vary from the result shown in the pictures.

Simplify3D printing recommendations:

This model was tested with PLA material.

To avoid printing problems, we recommend the following settings:

Extruder
Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm
Extrusion Multiplier: 0.97
Extrusion Width: Auto

Retraction Distance: 5.00 mm
Extra Restart Distance: 0.00 mm
Retraction Vertical Lift: 0.08 mm
Retraction Speed: 5400.0 mm/min

Wipe Distance: 5.00 mm

Layer
Primary Layer Height: 0.2 mm
Top Solid Layers: 8
Bottom Solid Layers: 5
Outline/Perimeter Shells: 2
Outline Direction: Inside-Out

First Layer Height: 90%
First Layer Width: 100%
First Layer Speed: 20%

Additions
Use Skirt/Brim: Check
Skirt Layers: 1
Skirt Offset from Part: 6.00 mm
Skirt Outlines: 5

Infill
Internal Fill Pattern: Fast Honeycomb
External Fill Patern: Rectilinear
Interior Fill Percentage: 10%
Outline Overlap: 22%
Infill Extrusion Width: 100%
Minimum Infill Length: 5.00 mm
Combine Infill Every: 1 layers

External Infill Angle Offsets: 45/-45 deg

Support
Generate Support Material: Check
Support Infill Percentage: 15%
Extra Inflation Distance: 1.00 mm
Support Base Layers: 0
Combine Support Every: 1 layers

Dense Support Layers: 0
Dense Infill Percentage: 70%

Support Type: Normal
Support Pillar Resolution: 5.00 mm
Max Overhang Angle: 60 deg

Horizontal Offset From Part: 0.50 mm
Upper Vertical Separation Layers: 1
Lower Vertical Separation Layers: 1

Support Infill Angles: 45 deg

Temperature
Extruder 1 Temperature: 210
Heated Bed: 60

Cooling
Increase fan speed for layers below: 45.0 sec
  Maximum Cooling fan speed: 50%
Bridging fan speed override: 100%

Speeds
Default Printing Speed: 4800.0 mm/min
Outline Underspeed: 50%
Solid Infill Underspeed: 80%
Support Structure Underspeed: 80%
X/Y Axis Movement Speed: 10800.0 mm/min
Z Axis Movemen Speed: 1002.0 mm/min

Adjust printing speed for layers below: 15.0 sec 
  Allow speed reduction down to: 20%

Other
Unsupported area threshold: 20.0 sq m

Slic3r printing recommendations:

Layer height
  Layer height: 0.1 mm
  First layer height: 90%
Vertical shells
  Perimeters: 2
Horizontal shells
  Soid layers: 
              Top: 8
              Bottom: 5
Quality
  Detect thin walls: Check
  Detect bridging perimeters: Check
Advanced
  Seam position: Random
Infill
  Fill desity: 20%
  Fill pattern: Honeycomb
  Top/bottom fill pattern: Rectilinear
Reducing printing time
  Combine infill every: 1 layers
Advanced
  Solid infill every: 0 layers
  Fill angle: 25 deg
  Solid infill threshold area: 0mm
Skirt
  Loops: 2
  Distance from object: 6 mm
  Skirt height: 1 layers
  Minimum extrusion length: 4 mm
Brim 
  Brim width: 10 mm
Support material
  Generate support material: Check
  Overhang threshold: 45 deg
  Enforce support for the first: 3 layers
Raft
  Raft layers: 0 layers
Options for support material and raft
  Contact Z distance: 0.1 mm
  Pattern: Rectilinear
  Patter spacing: 2 mm
  Pattern angle: 0 deg
  Interface layers: 2 layers
  Interface pattern spacing: 0.2 mm
Speed for print moves
  Perimeters: 60 mm/s
  Small perimeters: 20 mm/s
  External perimeters: 20 mm/s
  Infill: 60 mm/s
  Solid infill: 60 mm/s
  Top solid infill: 30 mm/s
  Support material: 50 mm/s
  Support material interface: 100%
  Bridges: 30 mm/s
  Gap fill: 50 mm/s
Speed for non-print moves
  Travel: 60 mm/s
Modifiers
  First layer speed: 30 mm/s
Acceleration control
  Perimeters: 800 mm/s
  Infill: 1500 mm/s
  Bridge: 1000 mm/s
  First layer: 1000 mm/s
  Default: 1000 mm/s
Autospeed
  Max print speed: 100 mm/s
  Max volumetrix speed: 0 mm/s
Extrusion width
  Default extrusion width: 0.42 mm
  First layer: 0.42 mm
  Perimeters: 0.42 mm
  External perimeters: 0.42 mm
  Infill: 0.42 mm
  Solid infill: 0.42 mm
  Top solid infill: 0.42 mm
  Support material: 0.42 mm
Overlap
  Infill/Perimeters overlap: 20%
Flow
  Bridge flow ratio: 0.95
Other
  XY Size Compensation: 0 mm
  Threds: 8
  Resolution: 0 mm