Product Description
The Alt Shield was originally developed to work with the Half Guard to provide full coverage for the really talented kitty, and is called The Protector. The Alt Shield is one solid piece that has a lip on the back that snaps onto the rim of the LR3 so when the globe turns upside down during the cleaning cycle the Shield helps prevent your little rascal(s) from jumping in and having a party. The Alt Shield is a happy medium between the Full Shield and Half Shield.
How does 3D printing work?
Every 3D printer builds parts based on the same main principle: a digital model is turned into a physical three-dimensional object by adding material a layer at a time. This where the alternative term Additive Manufacturing comes from.
3D printing is a fundamentally different way of producing parts compared to traditional subtractive (CNC machining) or formative (Injection molding) manufacturing technologies.
In 3D printing, no special tools are required (for example, a cutting tool with certain geometry or a mold). Instead the part is manufactured directly onto the built platform layer-by-layer, which leads to a unique set of benefits and limitations
From here, the way a 3D printer works varies by process. For example, desktop FDM printers melt plastic filaments and lay it down onto the print platform through a nozzle (like a high-precision, computer-controlled glue gun). Large industrial SLS machines use a laser to melt (or sinter) thin layers of metal or plastic powders.
The available materials also vary by process. Plastics are by far the most common, but metals can also be 3D printed. The produced parts can also have a wide range of specific physical properties, ranging from optically clear to rubber-like objects.
Depending on the size of the part and the type of printer, a print usually takes about 4 to 18 hours to complete. 3D printed parts are rarely ready-to-use out of the machine though. They often require some post-processing to achieve the desired level of surface finish. These steps take additional time and (usually manual) effort.
This was copied from 3DHubs, for more information please visit them!
As for aesthetics (this might be more of a me problem than a product problem), I never ordered a 3D printed item before. I didn't know the shield surface would be both shiny and scratchy? The litter dust clings to the surface so it doesn't look as nice after a day of cycling. I think a grey or silver might be better than the black but I got it to match the LR fence.
I'm only taking one star off because the bottom edge is kind of thin and abrupt. The corners that look pointy are pointy. It isn't exactly sharp but I would have preferred smooth, rounded edges since my cats tend to torpedo out of the litter box. No problems so far so we'll keep using it.
Also was super easy to switch up this order when I accidentally ordered the wrong thing... this maker is top-notch A+!