i’m printing 3d!

I’m printing 3D!

Starting with 3D-printing,

even if you don’t own a 3D-

printer.

R.H. Vissers

Author: Robert Vissers

Cover design: Ciciel Veltmans, www.icigrafischontwerp.nl

ISBN: 978 94 021 0875 0

First edition

© Robert Vissers The Netherlands, 2013, www.eccomi3d.nl

Summary

“Nothing gives you more satisfaction than using parts that you

designed and created all by yourself.”

R. M. Pirsig

from “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”

The special feeling when you create something yourself...everybody

knows it. The creation, design and manufacturing has something

personal, sometimes magical. You are able to put your own values into

the object that you create.

This book explains 3D-printing in a way that enables you to start

yourself, today: you don’t even need to own a 3D-printer. We start

with the basics. All the tools are already available or easy to access.

You can now, from your own home, join the 3D-community and print

your objects, it’s easy.

Contents

1. Introduction 10

1.1 What is it 11

1.2 What does it mean 12

1.3 What can I do with it 13

2. Getting Started with 3D printing 16

3. What do I want to print 16

3.1 Ready made 17

3.2 Finding models 18

3.3 Alterations 22

3.4 Designing from scratch 28

3.5 Sharing your designs 29

4. How to I print 30

4.1 Printing it myself 30

4.2 Having it printed 32

5. My first print 40

6. The future of printing 42

6.1 A possible future of printing 44

6.2 Possible consequences of 3D-printing 45

6.3 And now: let’s start the journey... 47

7. Inspiration: Creative examples 48

7.1 Deksels 48

7.2 Lego 50

7.3 Modelling 53

7.4 Fashion 56

7.5 Home Improvement 60

8. Now do it yourself 61

Appendix: hints and tips 62

Appendix: links 62

11

1.1 What is it

3D-printing is a way to create physical objects. You can imagine

something, visualize it, draw it and then actually create it.

For example something quite unique and or something that is perfect

for your environment.

The technology is also relatively simple. By melting the material

(plastic) and carefully stacking it, you create layer-by-layer your

object. You have probably done it yourself already. For example:

sculpting with clay.

For 3D-printing very thin strands of material are used. If you are placing

them on exactly the right location you are building an object. In itself,

this technique is not revolutionary.

14

Examples of models that are already available via internet:

4 leaf clover1

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:60820

Citrus Juicer


29c3 leberkleister-mug


Five turn cubist torus


Source: www.thingiverse.com

Courtesy of MakerBot® Thingiverse®.

1 This kind of finish is not always possible on any printer.

15

Idea

Imagination

Creativity

My

printed

object

Print

Definition of the form

(download from internet or

design yourself)

18

3.2 Finding models

My favourite site is Thingiverse.com. Thingiverse is doing a good job in

building a community. There are a lot of active members who are

sharing designs, and regularly design contests to ensure that the

content is kept up to date and alive. One more advantage is that the

designs are created specifically for 3D-printers. This means that you

will not run into problems, you generally don’t need to convert designs

but if you do the community generally finds a solutions when needed.

Follow these steps to find models:

1. Start internet

2. Go to www.thingiverse.com

26

9. The cup is now available.

10. In order to add a handle we can use a standard shape: for

example the torus.

11. By moving and resizing the torus, it has become a handle.

32

4.2 Having it printed

Having your object printed by someone else is a good alternative to

owning your own 3D-printer. There are many alternatives in this market

already. There are commercial suppliers for 3D-printing your designs;

for example: i.Materialise, Sculpteo, Ponoko and Shapeways. These

companies use professional printers and can print your design in many

different colours and materials. They also use a variety of different

techniques allowing your design to be printed in very high quality and

with different finishes. Examples: plastic, copper, aluminium, titanium,

ceramics, etcetera. Note: the more exotic materials have a different

price range.

One of the solutions that I’m using is

3Dhubs.com. The 3D Hubs organisation

connects people without a 3D-printer

to 3D-printer owners. The idea is that

many existing 3D-printers are currently

idle much of the time. Bringing the two

parties together is a win-win situation.

No investment for the person who

wants to print, and the 3D-printer

owner is using the 3D-printer in a more

efficient way.

Via the 3DHubs.com website it’s easy to submit your design. After

uploading it you get a list of people who can print your design. That list

only shows available 3D-printers in your neighborhood.

You see the location, price, available materials, colours and the

estimated delivery time. The participants are quite diverse. Sometimes

they are companies, sometimes they are private individuals. After

selecting the party you would like to print the object for you, you

agree upon when and how you want to receive the object. There are

35

8. If the design is technically Ok, you can verify if it matches your

expectations.

9. Check if the width, length and height are OK,

and click on

10. Next you see a list of 3D-printers where you can have it

printed, together with price and delivery time.

11. Select the option that best matches your needs,

and click on

45

6.2 Possible consequences of 3D-printing

3D printing has far-reaching consequences that go far beyond the mere

technical aspects.

Social:

The success of Wikipedia is the result of the fact that many (unpaid)

individuals share their knowledge. With 3D-printing this altruism can go

one step further. By publicly sharing designs we advance both as a

society and personally. It’s the Open Source concept, but then for real.

If you take a look at the models that are already available then you

know that this is not something in a distant future; it has already

started, it’s here, now.

Economical:

The shift from centralized to more decentralized production also has

economic consequences. A similar trend is that of Internet, a large part

of the economic activity now takes place online. A practical

consequence is that the current infrastructure (shops, outlets) lost a

part of its economic legitimacy to the online world. We can of course

continue to deny it by demonstrating the need for physical stores, but

the fact remains that a significant and growing part of economic

activity now takes place online.

What if I need a new (perfect fitting) shoe: go shopping, order it

online, or print it myself?

The 3D-printing is definitely taking its share of the market of consumer

goods. It will happen sooner than we think.

49

To illustrate the creative possibilities: Deksels.

Source: www.plusdeksels.nl

“ Deksels3 are a pair of plastic

rings which are 3D-printed. With

these rings it is possible to add a

lid to various existing packaging,

for example a coke bottle or a

bean funnel4.

By using Deksels you can reuse

your bean funnel, and in doing so

save yourself money. Per refill this reduces the cost up to 75%.

It is also environmentally friendly because you do not need to

buy (and dispose) each time a plastic funnel. Good for both

your wallet and for the environment!".

The idea is that you turn a non-refillable packaging into a refillable

one. With a simple procedure you are no longer bound by the rules of

the manufacturer. Now you decide where you buy your products, you

have the freedom to choose; simple, easy and accessible to everyone.

3 Translation: “Lids”

4 More information available on: www.plusdeksels.nl

58

Art Deco Pendant


Assassin's Creed Pendant


Cthulhu Ring


Geo Necklace 01


61

8. Now do it yourself

In this book, we have focused on 3D printing. We explained what it is,

what it means, what it can do and how it will change the future.

The first steps are known and with this book you are well on your way

to your first 3D print. You know where you can find designs on the

Internet and how you can make (minor) adjustments. Next to that you

now have the information on where to have it printed.

The introduction is now in your own hands.

The next step is yours.

Enjoy exploring the World of 3D-printing.

Welcome aboard.

Robert Vissers

www.eccomi3d.nl

The Netherlands, Nuenen, September 2013

i’m printing 3d!

Business

d printing12

dprinter owners

d hubs organisation

cover design

design yourselfprintmy

im printing

available materials

different colours