Getting Started
What is 3D Printing?
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Top 5 3D Printer Tips
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How do 3D printers Work?
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How do I use 3D printers?
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3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing
Most 3D printers synthesize three-dimensional objects by forming successive "2D" layers of material under computer control. For the purpose of this PD resource, we will focus on the most popular type of 3D printer found in K-12 schools, Fused Deposition Modeling printers. These printers feed a material through a heated print head and extrudes it onto a build plate layer by layer. The material cools and solidifies to form the 3D object. This is a stop motion video of a Cubicon Single 3D printer in action. Main Parts
Most FDM printers have the same parts as in this Ultimaker 2+ depicted below. The most noticeable differences between the offerings from different companies is in the print head (extruder) and build plate. Print Head
Depending on your machine, the print head may have additional functionality. This includes the ability to print with filaments other than ABS or PLA. Some may even be able to print with more than one filament at a time. Even though each type of filament has a recommended print temperature, successful prints may require some modification of the actual print head temperature. Build Plate Depending on you printer, the surface upon which the 3D print will occur differs in material composition and features. For instance, the build plate on many modern printers are heated to help in adhesion of the plastic and prevent curling due to fast changes in temperature. The absence of a heated build plate requires extra care to produce a successful print. Some build plates auto-level and auto-position which helps reduce print time and mistakes caused by bad alignment. Some build plates are removable which provides additional versatility Materials The most common material used for 3D printing is PLA (Polylactic Acid) which is a biodegradable derivative of corn or sugar cane. The second most common material is ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) which is a non-biodegradable petroleum derivative. These materials come in filament spools that are readily available in a wide variety of colors from various stores. Beyond the two aforementioned plastics, there are several other materials including metal, wood, and even organic materials in various combinations with plastics. |
3D Printing Process
Each 3D print requires a number of basic steps.
3D Printer Maintenance
Each printer should have a recommended maintenance schedule that is located in the user's guide or on the company website. 3D printers usually have more stringent and demanding maintenance requirements than regular 2D printers (i.e. laser, inkjet). Some of the most common maintenance tasks include:
3D Design Communities
There are a number of sites like Thingiverse and Pinshare that enable any person to participate in a 3D design community. Students and teachers can learn and grow by ripping, remixing, and sharing 3D design content. Teachers should be aware of these sites to check for originality and or proper citing when remixing. Students should learn how to properly participate in these communities and give credit to other designers. |