Tools/3D Printing

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Current Printers

  • Bambu Lab P1P
    • Build Area: 256x256x256mm (Roughly 10x10x10 inches)
    • Filament diameter: 1.75mm
    • Materials: PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET
      • Can be fitted with hardened nozzles for printing filaments with fillers (carbon, glow, wood, etc.)
      • Supports PA, PC, ABS, ASA with addition of enclosure
    • Workflow:
      • Does not support OctoPrint, must use stock app. Will receive username and password after training.
    • Settings:
      • Recommend stock Bambu Studio settings
  • Creality CR-10 S4
  • Elegoo Saturn 8k
    • Build Area: 219x123x210 mm (Roughly 8.6x4.8x8.3 inches)
    • SLA Resin printer
    • Settings: Follow instructions on link above

Current Filament Available

  • PLA filament (transparent blue) -- ~1kg spool
  • ABS filament (green) -- ~1kg spool

Usage and Workflow

The Creality printer is controlled via OctoPrint running on a Raspberry Pi set up next to it. The basic workflow is this:

  1. Convert 3D model or download an STL file.
  2. "Slice" the STL file to generate GCode.
  3. Upload the GCode to Octoprint and print.

3D Modeling/STL creation

We currently recommend Fusion 360 for creating 3D models. It offers a free license for hobbyist use.

Other options which are FOSS include:

  • OpenSCAD is the more mature of the two programs. It uses a scripting language to define a model using CSG.
  • Antimony is a new program, released in Spring 2015 as a visual approach to CSG. While it is easier to use, its STL export is considerably cruder (it uses a naive algorithm for creating models).
  • SolveSpace is a constraint-based, parametric CAD program. It has the advantage of having a more traditional CAD interface, but there is a bit of a learning curve; going through the tutorials on the program's website is highly recommended.

Alternatively, you can download an STL file from an online 3D printing repository like [[1]] or Thingiverse.

GCode Production

We recommend the use of PrusaSlicer (Slic3r) for the Creality CR-10. A settings file optimized for this printer is here. The most important setting for this printer is to set the maximum acceleration limit to 500 mm/s².

Visual Troubleshooting Guides

Planned Printers

  • Prusa i3 derivative
    • Planning discussions started in early January 2015, but stalled.
    • Current components: RAMPS board, Arduino, heated bed, thermistor, user interface board, one pulley with CL2 toothed belt
    • Missing components: Just about everything else

Old Printers

  • Printrbot Simple Makers Kit
    • Build Area: Roughly 4x4x4 inches
    • Can work PLA and ABS (has heated bed)
    • Workflow: Connected to computer with Cura 2.4 series slicer.
    • Portable; can run on battery power
      • Requires at least 12V @ 4A for running without heated bed
      • Running the heated bed on battery power has not been tested and is not allowed at present.
    • Currently non-functional -- Power supply is dangerously unshielded.
  • Solidoodle 3
    • Build Area: Roughly 8x8x8 inches
    • Has a heated bed
    • Fully enclosed with acrylic sheeting
    • Currently non-functional -- Has issues with Y-axis traversal, thermistor issues
  • Mbot Cube (revision 1)
    • Build Area: Roughly 8x8x8 inches
    • No heated bed (though one can be added)
    • Dual extruders (though they need alignment)
    • Workflow
      • Uses Proprietary MPrint software to communicate with printer via USB
      • Can also print from an .x3g file read from the on-board SD card reader (2 GB maximum capacity); .x3g files can be made in ReplicatorG with appropriate configuration.
    • Currently non-functional -- Bed alignment system is damaged; new print bed needed