Difference between revisions of "3D Printering Getting Started Guide"

Revision as of 15:57, 5 November 2020

How to get started

If you are interested in getting started with 3D printing but don’t know where to begin then start here. First we’ll cover some jargon you need to know and then guide you to the best printer for your needs.

Definitions

• 3D printer: rapid prototyping machine that uses additive manufacturing techniques
• Additive manufacturing: any manufacturing technique where material is built-up-upon to create a 3D object. Our printers currently all use plastic extrusion.
• CNC: Computer-Numerical-Control - any machine driven by a computer and using G-code is a form of CNC
• G-code: low level machine control language, an STL is converted into a string of G-code commands to drive the 3D printer
• Filament: plastic “string” which the 3D printer uses to extrude into three-dimensional parts
• STL: an intermediate object file which describes a CAD designed 3D part. Normally parts which can be 3D printed are traded as STL files

• Blender: an open source 3D modeling program - it includes every kitchen sink ever
• FreeCAD: an open source 3D modeling program - it’s focus is on recreating an AutoCAD-like experience in open source
• OpenSCAD: an open source 3D modeling program - its a 3D modeling program for programmers

• Slicer: any program that converts a file like an STL into actual machine control commands
• Cura: a slicer program, it converts an STL into G-code for your 3D printer
• Slic3r: a slicer program, it converts an STL into G-code for your 3D printer
• PLA: 3D printer filament made from corn (polylactic acid), it’s non-toxic and easy to work with but not as strong as plastics
• ABS: 3D printer filament, it’s very strong but puts out toxic fumes and has a very high melt temperature
• PET-G: 3D printer filament, it’s stronger than PLA and non-toxic, higher melt temp, but it is very stringy

From idea to printed part, how does it all work?

3D printed parts all start as an idea in someones mind. First a part must be modeled in 3D modeling or CAD software of some kind like Blender, FreeCAD, OpenSCAD, etc. Once a part is modeled it must be exported as an STL file. Places like Thingiverse and Yeggi.com have STL files which people can trade and download for free, so if you find an STL for a part you want to print you don’t have to start with modeling.

Ok, so lets say you have an STL file, how does it get printed? You need to load the STL into a slicer program like Cura or Slic3r. This software needs to know the specific features of the 3D printer you intend to print with, most of these programs now include standard definitions for most printers on the market. Also you need to know what filament material will be used as the slicer settings will vary greatly from filament to filament (PLA, ABS, PET-G, etc.) Once you have your slicer program setup and have the printer loaded and filament selected, you can THEN load the STL. The Slicer will output a gcode version of the same file.

So now you have a g-code version of your STL. Now you can print the part. But wait, how do you connect to the printer? See the How-to-print section.

How to print

There are three different ways to drive a 3D printer, and all of them are available here at Bloominglabs.

Octoprint - the web-based print server for 3D printers

Our Makerfarm_12-Inch_Pegasus_3D_Printer is driven by Octoprint. Send your web browser to the ip address listed on that printer. It has an integrated slicer so you can avoid dealing with a slicer and trying to figure out all of the settings of the Pegasus. Just upload the STL and then load it into the on-board slicer. The slicer is hidden behind the right-most tab in Octoprint. Or, you can upload a g-code file you’ve already sliced.

Direct printing from a computer using a slicer

With this method you connect the 3D printer to your computer with a USB cable and use your slicer program to directly drive the machine. Your computer/laptop is tied up the entire time the machine is working.

Our PrintrBot_Simple (inside the wood enclosure) has a workstation attached to the enclosure with Slic3r installed. Copy your STL over to this workstation with a USB stick and then load it up in Slic3r. Slic3r should already have the correct settings to drive this printer.

SD card printing

You can load up your model in your slicer on your laptop and generate a g-code file from your STL, then copy it to the SD card which goes into the printer.

Our Anycubic_i3_Mega has a built-in SD card reader. The Mega has a control panel on the front you can use to select your g-code file and then print it.