3D Printers: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Printer-farm.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Our 3D printer farm]]
'''This article is mandatory reading for anyone who would like to 3D print, but it does not replace a personal introduction!'''
'''This article is mandatory reading for anyone who would like to 3D print, but it does not replace a personal introduction!'''


All of our printers use "fused filament fabrication" (FFF, a.k.a. FDM) and are therefore limited to thermoplastics as [[3D Printing Materials|materials]]. Lots of cool things can be made with this technology, but it's good to be aware of the [[:Category:3D Printing#Fused Filament Fabrication|limits of FFF]] before starting to design your parts.
All of our printers use "fused filament fabrication" (FFF, a.k.a. FDM) and are therefore limited to thermoplastics as [[3D Printing Materials|materials]]. Lots of cool things can be made with this technology, but it's good to be aware of the [[:Category:3D Printing#Fused Filament Fabrication|limits of FFF]] before starting to design your parts.


You can find our 3D printer farm in the [[Electronics Room|electronics room]].
== Available Printers ==
{| class="wikitable"
!label
!type
!status
|-
|P1
|[[Prusa i3 MK2S]]
|operational
|-
|P2
|[[Prusa i3 MK2S]]
|operational
|-
|P3
|[[Prusa i3 MK2S]]
|operational
|-
|P4
|[[Prusa i3 MK2S]]
|operational
|-
|P5
|[[Prusa i3 MK2S]]
|operational
|-
| P6
| Prusa i3 Mk2S MM
| [https://github.com/comakingspace/do-something/projects/2 WIP]
|}


== General Usage Guidelines ==
== General Usage Guidelines ==
'''Using the 3D printers, like any other [[machine]], requires a personal [[3D Printer Introduction|introduction]] - ask a [[tutor]] to get one!'''
=== Slicing ===
=== Slicing ===
<TBD>
A 3D model has to be virtually split into its layers ("[[:Category:Slicers|sliced]]") before a printer can start building it up layer by layer in reality. You can use [https://www.prusa3d.com/slic3r-prusa-edition/ Slic3r Prusa Edition] with the default settings for the MK2S (or MK2, doesn't matter) provided by Prusa Research.
 
The slicing for our printers is done on the computer in the [[Electronics Room]] using [https://www.prusa3d.com/slic3r-prusa-edition/ Slic3r Prusa Edition].
 
'''Import'''
 
Put your [[STL]] file on a thumb drive and plug it into the slicer computer. Open Slic3r (orange/grey on the side bar) and drag the file into the program.
 
'''Print Settings'''
 
Presets can be selected on the "Plater" tab (where you see your model) on the left side. Its a good idea to chose the setting which fits your desired quality the most and make adjustments from there. Individual options can be changed in the "Print Settings" tab (e.g. support, infill, ...).
 
'''Filament Settings'''
 
All the available filament rolls should have a preset created for them, which can be selected in the "Plater" tab. If this on not the case ask a [[tutor]] for the settings.
 
''' Export G-Code '''
 
Press the "Export G-Code" button and save the file on the SD card of the printer. It's good practice to save your print files in a folder with your name.
 
''' Multi Material Printing '''
 
If your model requires [[Multi-Material Printing|multi-material printing]], this can be done using printer P6.


=== Do Your Math ===
=== Do Your Math ===
A few simple calculations will save you a lot time and material:
A few simple calculations will save you a lot of time and material:
* shell thickness must be a multiple of the nozzle diameter
* shell thickness must be a multiple of the nozzle diameter
* elements very close to or below the nozzle diameter won't turn out well
* elements very close to or below the nozzle diameter won't turn out well
Line 20: Line 79:


=== Cleanliness ===
=== Cleanliness ===
* for improved adhesion, remove any dust from the print bed and wipe it with a few drops of [[acetone]].
* for improved adhesion, remove any dust from the print bed and wipe it with a few drops of [[isopropanol]]
* collect any clean plastic waste in the appropriate (material and color!) bags for recycling
** do '''not''' use [[acetone]] on the PEI sheet, it will destroy the print bed!
* collect any clean plastic waste in the appropriate (material and color!)  


=== SD Cards ===
=== SD Cards ===
Line 27: Line 87:


=== File Storage ===
=== File Storage ===
* always back up your files on your own storage, the SDs and the laptop might be cleaned up at any time without much warning!
* always back up your files on your own storage, our SDs and computers might be cleaned up at any time without much warning!
* do not use old [[Format:G-code|G-codes]] over and over again, but rather save your [[STL]]s and slice freshly for every print - there could have been changes to the machine since your last visit!
* do not use old [[Format:G-code|G-codes]] over and over again, but rather save your [[STL]]s and slice freshly for every print - there could have been changes to the machine since your last visit!


=== Pricing ===
=== Material Donations ===
We try to keep the price low to allow anyone to print. Apart from the material cost, we need new acetone from time to time. More costly is the time that needs to be put into repairing malfunctioning printers, plus possibly replacement parts. Usually we have more print requests than free functional printers. Please donate for these expenses:
We try to keep the cost low to allow anyone to print. Apart from the [[filament]], we need new isopropanol from time to time.  
 
Please [[Donation Boxes|donate]] for these expenses:
* 5 ct/gram material cost
* 5 ct/gram material cost
* + 1 € per hour of printing (first 30 minutes are free, 50 % off for members)
* + any additional amount you like
* + any additional amount you like


The higher priced long running prints could allow us to build more printers in the future. If you really cannot afford it, talk to us. We would like to support you in that case.
=== Time/Material Estimation ===
 
To check the amount of filament and the rough time needed for a print we suggest to use the [http://gcode.ws gcode.ws online tool] and analyse the exported [[G-Code]] file there. The filament amount is usually quite accurate, but the print time in reality is usually 20-30% longer on our printers.
 
'''Changing filament requires an introduction and is different for each machine!'''


Some [[slicers]] also have built-in estimation features - unfortunately, our favorite [[Slic3r]] only estimates the required material, not the time.


== Tutors ==
== Tutors ==
Line 47: Line 107:
* [[User:Mitja|Mitja]]
* [[User:Mitja|Mitja]]
* [[User:Lukas|Lukas]]
* [[User:Lukas|Lukas]]
* [[User:Ciaran|Ciaran]]
== Maintenance ==
Prusa Research provides a [https://www.prusaprinters.org/top-6-tips-original-prusa-i3-3d-printer-maintenance/ list of maintenance tips].





Revision as of 19:25, 3 August 2018

Our 3D printer farm

This article is mandatory reading for anyone who would like to 3D print, but it does not replace a personal introduction!

All of our printers use "fused filament fabrication" (FFF, a.k.a. FDM) and are therefore limited to thermoplastics as materials. Lots of cool things can be made with this technology, but it's good to be aware of the limits of FFF before starting to design your parts.

You can find our 3D printer farm in the electronics room.

Available Printers

label type status
P1 Prusa i3 MK2S operational
P2 Prusa i3 MK2S operational
P3 Prusa i3 MK2S operational
P4 Prusa i3 MK2S operational
P5 Prusa i3 MK2S operational
P6 Prusa i3 Mk2S MM WIP

General Usage Guidelines

Using the 3D printers, like any other machine, requires a personal introduction - ask a tutor to get one!

Slicing

A 3D model has to be virtually split into its layers ("sliced") before a printer can start building it up layer by layer in reality. You can use Slic3r Prusa Edition with the default settings for the MK2S (or MK2, doesn't matter) provided by Prusa Research.

The slicing for our printers is done on the computer in the Electronics Room using Slic3r Prusa Edition.

Import

Put your STL file on a thumb drive and plug it into the slicer computer. Open Slic3r (orange/grey on the side bar) and drag the file into the program.

Print Settings

Presets can be selected on the "Plater" tab (where you see your model) on the left side. Its a good idea to chose the setting which fits your desired quality the most and make adjustments from there. Individual options can be changed in the "Print Settings" tab (e.g. support, infill, ...).

Filament Settings

All the available filament rolls should have a preset created for them, which can be selected in the "Plater" tab. If this on not the case ask a tutor for the settings.

Export G-Code

Press the "Export G-Code" button and save the file on the SD card of the printer. It's good practice to save your print files in a folder with your name.

Multi Material Printing

If your model requires multi-material printing, this can be done using printer P6.

Do Your Math

A few simple calculations will save you a lot of time and material:

  • shell thickness must be a multiple of the nozzle diameter
  • elements very close to or below the nozzle diameter won't turn out well
  • bottom/top thickness must be a multiple of your selected layer height

Supervision

  • even simple prints can go wrong, so please watch the homing process and the first layer closely and check the progress regularly
  • do not leave the printers unattended - you'll have to find someone else to supervise a print if you absolutely need to leave the building
  • there is no need to sit in front of the machine all the time, just do not leave the Space!

Cleanliness

  • for improved adhesion, remove any dust from the print bed and wipe it with a few drops of isopropanol
    • do not use acetone on the PEI sheet, it will destroy the print bed!
  • collect any clean plastic waste in the appropriate (material and color!)

SD Cards

  • if you don't know a file, don't print it - ideally, slice all your models just before printing

File Storage

  • always back up your files on your own storage, our SDs and computers might be cleaned up at any time without much warning!
  • do not use old G-codes over and over again, but rather save your STLs and slice freshly for every print - there could have been changes to the machine since your last visit!

Material Donations

We try to keep the cost low to allow anyone to print. Apart from the filament, we need new isopropanol from time to time.

Please donate for these expenses:

  • 5 ct/gram material cost
  • + any additional amount you like

Time/Material Estimation

To check the amount of filament and the rough time needed for a print we suggest to use the gcode.ws online tool and analyse the exported G-Code file there. The filament amount is usually quite accurate, but the print time in reality is usually 20-30% longer on our printers.

Some slicers also have built-in estimation features - unfortunately, our favorite Slic3r only estimates the required material, not the time.

Tutors

If you're not sure about something, these Makers might be able to help:

Maintenance

Prusa Research provides a list of maintenance tips.