ucsd-compfab

Week 4.1 - Intro to 3D Printing

Agenda

• Review Papercut exercise.
• Artist of the Day
• Introduction to 3D Printing
  • Importing Models
  • Prepping for 3DP
  • Slicing for 3DP
  • Printing
• Intro to the 3d Printer
• Homework

Artist of the Day

Urs Fischer (website)

Untitled (Lamp / Bear)
2005-2006
Cast bronze, epoxy primer, urethane paint, acrylic polyurethane topcoat, acrylic glass, gas discharge lamp, stainless-steel framework
275 5/8 x 255 7/8 x 295 1/4 inches
(700 x 650 x 750 cm)

(link)

Importing Models

• Create a new file in Rhino and import a 3d scan
  • bunny.ply (3MB)
• Find the bunny and scale to an appropriate size.
  • Locate (Zoom eXtents), Rotate, Scale
  • Simplify Mesh (MeshReduce) if necessary

Prepping for 3DP

• Add a base to your object
  • (use your solid tools—extrusion, cylinder, cube, etc. to construct a base)
  • MeshBooleanUnion to join the parts
• Add a label (text objects as solids)
  • Create TextObject
  • be sure to select “Solids”
  • “Group Output”
  • MeshBooleanUnion to join the text to the model
• Check that it is a closed object?
  • Look at the object properties (click on propertiese sidebar and then select the object)
  • If not, use Mesh -> Repair Tools -> Fill All Holes
• Save as STL
  • Select your object.
  • In File -> Export select STL file (Stereolithography). Answer yes to most questions.

Example

Rhino file: ../examples/venus_sculpture.3dm

Slicing for 3DP

At Envision

• Printers:
  • Prusa Mini (preferred)
  • Prusa Mk4s (for a slightly larger print)
  • Bambu labs
  • Lulzbot Taz 5 (very large prints)
• Slicers:
  • Prusa Slicer (installed on 3d printer computers)
  • only for the Lulzbot Cura Lulzbot Edition
  • NOTE: you can also run these locally, and export your GCODE file to a USB stick.

See the Envision 3d printing tutorial: https://youtube.com/@envisionucsd?si=rCXeHmcu7rI46E-M

Process:

1. Open your slicer software and load the STL file from the previous steps
2. Check scale, positioning.
3. Select print parameters.
   • Material (PLA most likely)
   • Slicing
   • Support
4. Export GCODE and save to USB to use with the printer.
   • (note the print duration/time)
5. Pay at the kiosk to activate your printer.

NOTE: You need to complete the Envision 3d pringing training to activate your account for the 3d printers https://envision-maker.ucsd.edu/access/training_videos.php?training_id=11

At DIB Makerspace

Makerspace FDM printing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDqjAnIWnAs

• Printers:
  • Prusa Mini 3D
  • Prusa Mk4s
  • Prusa XL
• Slicer: Prusa Slicer

Follow the process from above.

Print

Print your file on the printers!

Homework

• Finish Project 1 for Tuesday 10/29 critique.
• Exercise 5 - Trophy DUE Thursday 10/31 11:59pm

Reference

Slicer Software

Envision

• Slicer software at Envision: CURA Lulzbot Edition
  • you can install on your computer, to learn, but you will do actual slicing, etc., on Envision machines.

Makerspace

• Slicer software for Makerspace: Prusa Slicer

• First Print with Prusa Slicer https://help.prusa3d.com/article/first-print-with-prusaslicer_1753
• See the complete First Print with Prusa Slicer article from Prusa: https://help.prusa3d.com/article/first-print-with-prusaslicer_1753

Places to get 3d models

• https://www.printables.com/
• https://www.myminifactory.com/
• https://www.thingiverse.com/
• https://3d.csm.ai/
• Search for .STL files on google. If you find a good source, plese share it with the class.

Meshmixer

• Meshmixer has been integrated into Fusion 360
• Hacking things together with meshmixer.
• Exporting for 3DP (.STL)