USS Sulaco 3D Printing Model | Assembly

ABOUT THIS 3D MODEL

The USS Sulaco is a fictional spacecraft that appears within Alien vs. Predator universe, namely was an important setting in the course of 1986 American sci-fi film ‘Aliens’. Aside from being a troop transport ship, this Conestoga-class vessel mainly served as a carrier for rapid deployment of two UD4L Cheyenne dropships. While exploring the vast distances of space the USS Sulaco earned rather an infamous reputation being the most unlucky ship of the Colonial Marines fleet and was eventually destroyed in a confrontation with the USS Sephora. Nevertheless, the carrier of the 2nd Battalion Bravo Team with its unique shark-like design remained well-loved by franchise fans and still serves as a source of inspiration for creators. The author of the USS Sulaco model for 3D printing dedicated to the project 136 hours in total and made sure to capture the trademark elongated form of the frigate that makes it look like a 'gun in space'. The 3D printing spacecraft is depicted bulky and heavily armoured with its sensor array full of long and sharp antennae. The exterior design of the multi-role space vessel for 3D printing was thoroughly considered for your future model in the collection to boast of highly-detailed spaceframe composition of the hull armour. The 3D artist made sure that the USS Sulaco is ready to add to your impressive AvP 3D printed collection - the model’s design allows you to introduce the LEDs that would significantly enhance the way the spaceship will be displayed on the special two-part stand. You must already be eager to start printing - go order the STL files!

ADAPTATION FOR 3D PRINTING

USS Sulaco for 3D printing is a static assembly model and its moderation and adaptation for different types of 3D printers took Gambody team 44 hours in total. For you to receive the cleanest printing result possible and to minimise the amount of filament needed for generated support the Conestoga-class starship model was divided into many assembly parts, e.g. its twin railguns located in dorsal and ventral turrets, each sensor and antennae that comprise the sensor array etc. are provided as separate STL files. There can be found special tunnels throughout the body of the USS Sulaco leading into the Westingland A-59 3.6 terawatt fusion reactor and sensor array area that were designed by our team for you to easily introduce LED wiring. For you to conveniently display the model among your 3D printed starship or AvP collection there was prepared a special two-piece stand for the ship with the design made to resemble the hull armour of Sulaco. All 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 actual length of the USS Sulaco that is 385000 mm. The 3D printing model's chosen scale is 1/700 for FFF/FDM version and 1/1400 for DLP/SLA/SLS version.

VERSIONS' SPECIFICATIONS

FFF/FDM 1.0 version features:
- Contains 24 parts;
- A printed ship is 165 mm tall, 76 mm wide, 548 mm deep;
- Assembly kit includes lock 24_Ge_lock_10H_x18 to connect the model's parts securely without glue that needs to be printed 18 times;
- Model is made hollow for you to introduce LED wiring throughout the spaceship's body; 
- Made with a two-part stand to conveniently display the ship among your spacecraft fleet;
- All parts are divided in such a way that you will print them with the smallest number of support structures.

DLP/SLA 1.0 version features:
- Contains 12 parts;
- A printed model is 83 mm tall, 38 mm wide, 274 mm deep;
- Made with a two-part stand to conveniently display the ship among your spacecraft fleet;
- All parts are divided in such a way to fit the build plates and to ensure that support structures are generated where needed.

SLS 1.0 version features:
- Made as a solid one-piece model;
- A printed model is 83 mm tall, 38 mm wide, 274 mm deep;
- Contains 3 parts - a one-piece model with both parts of the platform separated.

WHAT WILL YOU GET AFTER PURCHASE?

- STL files of USS Sulaco​​ Model for 3D printing which consist of 39 parts;
- 3 versions of files for this model for FFF/FDM and DLP/SLA/SLS printers;
- High-poly detailed model of USS Sulaco;
- 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 USS Sulaco 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 the USS Sulaco​​ 3D Printing Model at Gambody YouTube channel.

Also, you may like other Space Ships 3D Printing Models as well as Alien vs Predator 3D Printing Figurines.

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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