Tools/3D Printing
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Current Printers
| Bambu Lab P1P | Bambu Lab P1S | Creality CR-10 S4 | Elegoo Saturn 8k | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Build Area: | 256x256x256mm (Roughly 10x10x10 inches) | 256x256x256mm (Roughly 10x10x10 inches) | 400x400x400 mm (Roughly 15.75x15.75x15.75 inches) | 219x123x250 mm (Roughly 8.6x4.8x8.3 inches) |
| Materials: | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET With Enclosure: PA, PC, ABS, ASA |
PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET With Enclosure: PA, PC, ABS, ASA |
PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA, PET | 405nm UV Resin |
| Accessories: | Automatic Material System (AMS): - No Cardboard spools unless adapters are used - No TPU or PVA filament |
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| Remote Access: | Yes, Bambu Handy* | Yes, Bambu Handy* | Yes, OctoPrint* | No |
| Manual: | Bambu P1 Series Wiki | Bambu P1 Series Wiki | Elegoo Manual | |
| Notes: | Can be fitted with hardened nozzles for printing filaments with fillers (carbon, glow, wood, etc.) | Can be fitted with hardened nozzles for printing filaments with fillers (carbon, glow, wood, etc.) |
* Username & Password given during training. For Bambu Handy, 2FA code will come through Zulip.
Usage and Workflow
The general process for 3D printing is outlined below. Please see the individual printer pages for full details.
- Convert 3D model to STL or download an STL file from online.
- "Slice" the STL file to generate GCode (or resin printer file).
- Prepare the printer
- Load filament
- Clean/level the bed
- Change nozzles if needed
- Send the GCode to the printer.
- Monitor the printer until the print is completed.
3D Modeling/STL creation
We currently recommend SOLIDWORKS for Makers or Alibre Atom3D which are both available on the laser-room computer. Autodesk Fusion 360 offers a free license for hobbyist use. OnShape offers a free online CAD editor (note: all free OnShape models are publicly shared).
Other options which are FOSS include:
- OpenSCAD uses a text-based scripting language to define a model, making it distinct from other CAD software. It is great for making parametric parts, where a user can easily modify critical dimensions.
- Antimony is another procedural modeling software, which uses an interconnected graph of nodes to define geometry (rather than plain text). It is no longer receiving updates.
- 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.
- FreeCAD is a constraint-based, parametric CAD program. Its interface is usually considered more difficult, but recent updates have improved the experience. It is a very powerful software with many built-in tools.