3D Printer

Introduction to 3D Printing

What is a 3D Printer 

A machine that creates a three-dimensional object from a digital file by stacking thin, two-dimensional layers of material. This machine usually reads g-code files that give it specific instructions on how to print an object. 

3D Designs 

3D models are created using 3D modeling software, usually referred to as CAD (computer-aided design) software. Here is a list of a few free options to check out for making designs:

  • Blender (free)
  • SketchUp (free)
  • Tinkercad (free)
  • Vectary (free) 

Designing a 3D model can be difficult for beginning printers. Free 3D models are also available online through several repositories. These repositories allow users to download .stl files for a variety of designs from bolts to figurines. Here are a few sample ones: 

3D Printing Software 

3D models need to be prepared for 3D printing using a special kind of software that translates the model into machine instructions. This is done using slicing software. 3D models are imported into a slicer, which then virtually “slices” the model into layers. The resulting files consist of G-code, which is essentially a long list of instructions followed by the 3D printer to build the model. Here are a few sample software that are free to use: 

  • Prusa Slicer (free) 
  • Ultimaker Cura (free and open source) 

Terms

  • Infill/ Fill Density - a measure of how much material will be printed inside the outer shell of the object. The higher percentage of infill selected the more dense (heavier) a printed design will be and the longer it will take to print. 
  • Brim - a brim is a layer or layers of extruded filament that is used to stabilize small parts or islands on a printed object. A brim helps these areas to adhere to the print bed. 
  • Supports - A layer or layers of extruded thermoplastic that is used to support overhangs on a design. Support structures are usually removed after printing is completed. 
  • Extruder – the part of the machine that handles feeding and extruding filament during a print. The extruder has two parts: the stepper motor and feeding system that pushes the material into the printer, and a hot end that heats and extrudes the material through a nozzle onto the print bed. 
  • Print Bed - the surface where the printer deposits the materials used for printing 
  • Gcode – the coding language that the 3D printer understands. It is used to transmit instructions to a 3D printer’s control system to tell the printer how to print the 3D model. 
  • Stl file - A 3d file format used by CAD programs that describes surface geometry of a 3D object without any colour, texture or other attributes. 
  • PLA – is short for Polylactic Acid. PLA, or Polylactic Acid, is a biodegradable, environmentally friendly thermoplastic that is manufactured out of natural substances, usually corn or sugarcane. PLA prints at relatively lower temperatures than other printing materials (180C – 210C).
Young boy watching 3D printer