loganbarnett/airbrush-dias

Airbrush Dais

A robotic dais which uses an airbrush to paint miniatures.

Design Considerations

Colors and Coverage

Spray cans are disposable (creating unnecessary waste), and require outdoor access, ideal weather conditions, can get rather expensive, and sometimes require ID to purchase depending on your jurisdiction.

Using airbrush based primers and base coats is superior in many of these regards, but is time consuming compared to spray cans.

The primary purpose of this machine is to provide a primer and/or base coat. As such, it will only work with one paint at a time. Additional colors would likely add prohibitive complexity to this machine as a simply hobby project.

Details and Concavity

The airbrush dais will assume a roughly hemispherical shape for the model being painted. Concave sections and high detail surfaces might not get ideal coverage. This is a machine for doing bulk work, not high detail.

Mechanical complexity preferred over electrical complexity

Generally speaking it is quicker, less costly, and simpler on the assembler to prefer 3D printed parts over electronics and circuitry.

Fixed Airbrush Position and Model Weight

The airbrush contains runny paint which can easily be spilled. It also is connected to the air pump. To prevent spills, tangles, and worse, we should fix the position of the airbrush. We should also assume the models we are printing are light enough for a moving dais to easily accommodate.