3d printing basics for fdm printers
TRANSCRIPT
To make this?
Ever wondered how to design this?
ThingHubs (Stuff to download and print) Thingiverse.com Youmagine.com3dvia.comDomawe.netTf3dm.comShapeways.com Ponoko.comCubify.com
Bld3r.comYeggi.comRepables.comGrabcad.comDefCAD.com123dapp.comMyminifactory.comDigitalStore.makerbot.com
Modeling (Free or Open Source)
BeginnersTinkerCAD - Web Based tool that allows imported files and direct connectability with Thingiverse
Sketchup - (Windows or MAC) Very good at making simple things that might need some complex interlacing of simple shapes or large areas
EMachineShop - Diagram based tool for doing 2D to 3D models or tracing, very simple to start for people who draw
Advanced Blender - (all platforms) Python based, Open Source full 3D modeling suite, used in some professional animation studios
FreeCAD - AutoCAD-like modeling suite for engineers, Open Source
OpenSCAD - 3D for Programmers and Mathematicians
Materials (Plastics and otherwise)ABS plastic (220-260C)pros
Inexpensive ($10/kg)Lots of colors and availabilityHeat Tolerant for Texas summersDecently high strengthPrints faster and easy to post-processconsPrint quality is OK, but not high precisionPrint adhesion is not great, needs heated bedTends to warp unless fully enclosedRequires more expensive printers ($700+)
Materials (Plastics and otherwise)PLA plastic (180-220C)pros
Inexpensive ($15/kg)Lots of colors and availabilityGreat print qualityWorks with cheap printers (no heated bed)Even FLEXIBLE or High Strength filamentGenerally food safe and requires no ventilationconsTends to be brittle compared to ABS unless using nicer filamentMore expensive than ABSHarder to finish than ABS (Have fun sanding!)
Materials (Fancy)Nylon plastic (280-310C)
Super Strong and takes a lot of abuseGreat print qualityCapable of more interesting shapes and gears Requires all-metal hot endPrints slowRequired Heated Bed
Powder deposit plasticsSuper cool patterns available from heat (laywood)Extremely lightweight (wood) or heavy (metal)ExpensiveWood is Porous and floatsOften print quality is uglyProne to JamsMetal filaments polish and look like metal
Materials (Flexible)NinjaFlex / FilaFlex (280-310C)
Super Strong and takes a lot of abusePoor adhesionVery Flexible Requires all-metal hot endNeeds heated bedPrints slow Expensive
Flexible PLA (210-250C)Cheaper than NinjaFlexNot as flexible as NinjaFlexVarious FlexibilitiesAmong most expensive filamentsAvailable in more colors and Clear! Can be printed on a “Normal” printer
Tools (Slicers)CURApros
FreeEasy to UsePretty and simpleReliableconsPrint quality is not always 100%doesn’t alert you to bad STL filesNot great options for infill algorithms Really, not a lot of super advanced options available
Tools (Slicers)KISSlicerpros
Free and Open SourceVery configurableDecently easy to useReliableGreat print qualityconsNot as easy to use or set upLearning Curve for settingsnot as easy to arrangeno real STL manipulation
MISTAKESOverhang
Loose BeltsBad CalibrationRetraction not enabledPoor support
ShiftingKnocking the machineLoose BeltsPrinter BlipGCode did not slice well
MISTAKESDoes not print
Object has no densityBad Infill SettingsNet Meshes are not connectedCorrupted GCodeSometimes fixable with NetFAB
Stability issuesToo ThinNot enough supportLack of Brims or Rafts used for printingBad RotationItem Shifts or Pops off
Post-processing 1: Chemical smoothing Examples : Acetone on ABS plastic
MEK or Paint Stripper on PLA
2: PaintingExamples : Acrylic Paint, Krylon Fusion
3: Paint-on smoothers Examples : XTC-3D by Smooth-on (Epoxies which work on all materials)
Other Types of Printers (High Accuracy)DLP / Laser Resin (Fine precision Plastic)Laser SLA Powder (Plastic, Colors, Metals)Laser SLA Multi-Material (Flexible and Solids)
3D Printing Services
ENJOY MAKING!