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Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner (view source)
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3D printing is an additive manufacturing process which creates a three-dimensional object from a digital model. At the uOttawa Makerspace, we use FDM (fused deposition modeling) which works by slicing the model into layers and then printing one layer on top of the other. The type of printer, and the options that are fitted to the printer, determine the capabilities in terms of accuracy, speed, and complexity a printer is capable of. The printer extruder and nozzle combination will dictate what materials the printer is capable of using. Multiple extrusion heads enable for different materials to be used during the same print and are common on more commercially-targeted products but can also be fitted to high-end personal-use models. This can enable a printer to use weaker (or even dissolvable) support material for easy removal, or the ability to add colour schemes to a print for aesthetic purposes. Heated build plates are fairly common, and are used to improve the quality of prints by reducing the heat stress placed on a component during printing and cooling. In addition, many printers are open source projects, enabling users to edit the printer’s software, and even use it to build their own printer. The material most commonly used in the Makerspace is a type of plastic known as PLA (Polylactic acid). This plastic is used for 3D printing because of its relatively low melting point and very low shrinkage rate. While the Makerspace owns a variety of FDM printer models, this beginner page will focus on the Ultimaker 2+ which is the main model of printer used.
3D printing is an additive manufacturing process which creates a three-dimensional object from a digital model. At the uOttawa Makerspace, we use FDM (fused deposition modeling) which works by slicing the model into layers and then printing one layer on top of the other. The type of printer, and the options that are fitted to the printer, determine the capabilities in terms of accuracy, speed, and complexity a printer is capable of. The printer extruder and nozzle combination will dictate what materials the printer is capable of using. Multiple extrusion heads enable for different materials to be used during the same print and are common on more commercially-targeted products but can also be fitted to high-end personal-use models. This can enable a printer to use weaker (or even dissolvable) support material for easy removal, or the ability to add colour schemes to a print for aesthetic purposes. Heated build plates are fairly common, and are used to improve the quality of prints by reducing the heat stress placed on a component during printing and cooling. In addition, many printers are open source projects, enabling users to edit the printer’s software, and even use it to build their own printer. The material most commonly used in the Makerspace is a type of plastic known as PLA (Polylactic acid). This plastic is used for 3D printing because of its relatively low melting point and very low shrinkage rate. While the Makerspace owns a variety of FDM printer models, this beginner page will focus on the Ultimaker 2+ which is the main model of printer used.
Most of the material in this wiki page is also covered in the CEED's interactive trainings. If you wish to follow the virtual 3D printing training, it is available [https://makerepo.com/jboud030/1220.imprimante-3d-virtuelle-virtual-3d-printing at this link].
==[[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner/How do FDM Printers Work?|How do FDM Printers Work?]]==
==[[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner/How do FDM Printers Work?|How do FDM Printers Work?]]==
[[File:FDM Printing Process.png|thumb|Image showing how material is laid down in layers to build up a 3D object in the FDM printing process.<ref>Gringer (Wikipedia User, 2018). Fused Filament Fabrication. Wikipedia. Accessed 2022-07-25 at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_filament_fabrication</ref>|alt=]]
<youtube>1wk-P-_RC5c</youtube>[[File:FDM Layers.jpg|A closeup of an FDM print. In this picture, you can see the layers that make up the print.<ref>Redwood, Ben (2022). ''How does part orientation affect a 3D print?'' Hubs, a Protolabs company. Accessed on 12/05/2022 at https://www.hubs.com/knowledge-base/how-does-part-orientation-affect-3d-print/</ref>|alt=|thumb]]
Fused deposition modelling (FDM) printers extrude melted material through a nozzle. As this happens, the nozzle is moved along a predetermined toolpath (a set of spatial coordinates), laying the extruded material on existing surfaces along the way. The toolpath is generated from CAD models in a software called a slicer software, named this way given that it slices 3D models in thin 2D layers which when stacked reform the original model.
Fused deposition modelling (FDM) printers extrude melted material through a nozzle. As this happens, the nozzle is moved along a predetermined toolpath (a set of spatial coordinates), laying the extruded material on existing surfaces along the way. The toolpath is generated from CAD models in a software called a slicer software, named this way given that it slices 3D models in thin 2D layers which when stacked reform the original model.
=== Important Parameters ===
=== Important Parameters ===
It is important to keep a few parameters in mind when FDM printing. Using the proper parameters will ensure that your print comes out right!
It is important to keep a few parameters in mind when FDM printing. Using the proper parameters will ensure that your print comes out right!
==== Print Speed ====
==== Print Speed ====
The print speed is another one of those obvious parameters that will affect print times. However, the ways in which the print speed will affect the final print are not always obvious. If the print speed is too high, the printer might not be able to dispense enough material through its nozzle per unit of time to fill the desired volume with the required amount of material. This can lead to bad adhesion between layers or even a complete lack of adhesion to layers. The ratio of layer height to layer speed (i.e.: material outflow through the nozzle) should therefore always be considered when FDM printing (the exact subject though being more of an intermediate subject). When making parts that will bear loads, print speeds are increasingly important as layer adhesion becomes an important factor in the strength of the final part, so much so that parts may be annealed (uniformly re-heated through a controlled process) to obtain better properties across layers.<ref>Agnieszka Szust, Grzegorz Adamski, ''Using thermal annealing and salt remelting to increase tensile properties of 3D FDM prints'', Engineering Failure Analysis, Volume 132, 2022, 105932, ISSN 1350-6307, <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2021.105932</nowiki>.</ref>
The print speed is another one of those obvious parameters that will affect print times. Since the beginner slicing methods do not include modifications to print speed, going over this parameter was considered out of the scope of beginner knowledge and such print speed will be discussed in the intermediate page.
==[[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner/FDM Printer Components|FDM Printer Components]]==
==[[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner/FDM Printer Components|FDM Printer Components]]==
===Filament Spool===
===Filament Spool===
The filament spool can be found attached to the back of the printer. The spool is essentially a filament roll. As the printer uses up the filament, the spool unrolls. Before printing, it is a good habit to check filament levels on the printer. You may find steps for replacing the filament [[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Intermediate|in the intermediate page]].
The filament spool can be found attached to the back of the printer. The spool is essentially a filament roll. As the printer uses up the filament, the spool unrolls. Before printing, it is a good habit to check filament levels on the printer. You may find steps for replacing the filament [[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Intermediate|in the intermediate page]].
[[File:Ultimaker2+ Overview.PNG|center|thumb|1500x1500px|An overview of the Ultimaker 2 parts. Most FDM printers contain the same components.<ref>Modified from Ultimaker B.V. ''Ultimaker 2 User Manual''. Consulted on 2022/05/16 at https://support.ultimaker.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011955399-The-Ultimaker-2-user-manual</ref>]]
[[File:Ultimaker2+ Overview.PNG|center|thumb|1000x1000px|An overview of the Ultimaker 2 parts. Most FDM printers contain the same components.<ref>Modified from Ultimaker B.V. ''Ultimaker 2 User Manual''. Consulted on 2022/05/16 at https://support.ultimaker.com/hc/en-us/articles/360011955399-The-Ultimaker-2-user-manual</ref>]]
== [[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner/Which 3D Printers do we have?|Which 3D printers do we have?]] ==
== [[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner/Which 3D Printers do we have?|Which 3D printers do we have?]] ==
| slicerName = Cura
| slicerName = Cura
| slicerLink = https://ultimaker.com/cura
| slicerLink = https://ultimaker.com/cura
| materials = PLA, ABS, Flexible
| materials = PLA, ABS, Flexible, etc
| minLayerHeight = 0.06
| minLayerHeight = 0.06
| heatedBuildPlate = Yes
| heatedBuildPlate = Yes
| buildDepth = 223
| buildDepth = 223
| buildHeight = 205
| buildHeight = 205
| recommendedSettings = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Ultimaker_2%2B
| moreInformation = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Ultimaker_2%2B
}}
}}
| slicerName = Cura
| slicerName = Cura
| slicerLink = https://ultimaker.com/cura
| slicerLink = https://ultimaker.com/cura
| materials = PLA, PVA, Flexible
| materials = PLA, PVA, Flexible, etc
| minLayerHeight = 0.02
| minLayerHeight = 0.02
| heatedBuildPlate = Yes
| heatedBuildPlate = Yes
| buildDepth = 215
| buildDepth = 215
| buildHeight = 200
| buildHeight = 200
| recommendedSettings = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Ultimaker_3
| moreInformation = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Ultimaker_3
}}
}}
| buildDepth = 153
| buildDepth = 153
| buildHeight = 155
| buildHeight = 155
| recommendedSettings = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/MakerBot_Replicator_2
| moreInformation = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/MakerBot_Replicator_2
}}
}}
| buildDepth = 150
| buildDepth = 150
| buildHeight = 140
| buildHeight = 140
| recommendedSettings = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Dremel_3D20
| moreInformation = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Dremel_3D20
}}
}}
| buildDepth = 305
| buildDepth = 305
| buildHeight = 605
| buildHeight = 605
| recommendedSettings = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Raise3D_N2_Plus
| moreInformation = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Raise3D_N2_Plus
}}
{{PrinterInfobox
| name = FLsun v400
| image = Flsun v400.jpg
| slicerName = Cura
| slicerLink = https://ultimaker.com/cura
| buildVolume = ⌀300 × 410 mm
| materials = PLA, ABS, Flexible, etc
| minLayerHeight = 0.05
| heatedBuildPlate = Yes
| float = none
| buildWidth = 300
| buildDepth = 300
| buildHeight = 410
| moreInformation = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Flsun_v400
}}
}}
| buildDepth = 132
| buildDepth = 132
| buildHeight = 154
| buildHeight = 154
| recommendedSettings = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Markforged_Mark_Two
| moreInformation = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Markforged_Mark_Two
}}
{{PrinterInfobox
| name = Stratasys Dimension SST 1200es
| image = Dimension-1200es.jpg
| slicerName = GrabCAD Print
| slicerLink = https://grabcad.com/print
| buildVolume = 254 × 254 × 305 mm
| materials = ABS, Soluble support
| minLayerHeight = 0.254
| heatedBuildPlate = Yes
| float = none
| buildWidth = 254
| buildDepth = 254
| buildHeight = 305
| moreInformation = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Stratasys_Dimension_SST
}}
}}
{{PrinterInfobox
| name = Stratasys F170
| image = stratasys-f170.jpg
| slicerName = GrabCAD Print
| slicerLink = https://grabcad.com/print
| buildVolume = 254 × 254 × 254 mm
| materials = PLA, ABS, ASA, TPU, Soluble support
| minLayerHeight = 0.127
| heatedBuildPlate = Yes
| float = none
| buildWidth = 254
| buildDepth = 254
| buildHeight = 254
| moreInformation = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Stratasys_F170
}}
{{PrinterInfobox
| name = Elegoo Saturn 2 8k
| image = elegoo saturn 2.jpg
| slicerName = ChituBox
| slicerLink = https://www.chitubox.com/en/download/chitubox-free
| buildVolume = 218.88 × 123.12 × 250 mm
| materials = Standard, ABS-like, rubber, etc
| minLayerHeight = 0.01
| heatedBuildPlate = No
| float = none
| buildWidth = 218.88
| buildDepth = 123.12
| buildHeight = 250
| moreInformation = https://en.wiki.makerepo.com/wiki/Elegoo_Saturn2
}}
Most of the time, prototyping projects at the Makerspace will make use of the Ultimaker 2+. However, if a product requirement or design refinement calls for the use of other materials, better quality, faster print times, etc., some printers can be much more suitable. For instance, the Ultimaker 3 can print with various materials and is equipped with two extruder heads. However, this printer is extremely slowǃ For faster prints, the Dremel and Makerbot Replicator 2 printers are faster than the UM3 and even the UM2%2B, which can be increasingly important in a production or a rapid prototyping environment. The other printers listed, the Makerspace charges for as they are specialty printers. These (Raise and the Mark II) are extremely reliable printers. They can also perform overnight prints which greatly expands the realm of possibilities in print size, reliability and quality due to the slower speeds which can be afforded. The Mark II is especially suited for load bearing prints as it uses carbon fiber reinforced nylon and can lay continuous carbon/glass/kevlar fibers inside the prints for added rigidity. Feel free to consult the pages for each printer for more information on each printers' recommended slicer settings, use cases, and design resources.
== [[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner/Safety Considerations for FDM 3D Printing|Safety Considerations for FDM 3D Printing]] ==
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=== Burn Hazard ===
Since FDM 3D printers melt materials, these carry an important burn hazard. Refrain from touching the 3D printer nozzle (200°C and hotter) and build plate (60°C and hotter). Hot parts are typically labelled on machines, but it can happen for the labelling to become worn down, and such it is important for you to know of these hazards so you may protect yourself against them.
=== Respiratory Hazard ===
It has been reported that materials melted by FDM printers can release harmful airborne particulates. It is important to use 3D printers in well ventilated areas or to use printers equipped with an air extractor. Air quality measurements of our Makerspace (STEM 107) have been professionally taken with 24 Ultimaker 2+ printers running for extended periods of time (as would be the case on a very busy day at the Makerspace). Thanks to proper ventilation of the space, the particulate concentration measured is well below regulatory limits.
=== Fire Hazard ===
Since the 3D printing process involves lots of heat and plastics, most of which are flammable, if the plastic being used runs out or accumulates around the printer nozzle and the temperature sensors limiting the nozzle temperature malfunctions, the printer could catch fire from overheating. This is why unsupervised (such as overnight) printing is prohibited on printers that have no shutoff mechanisms that would avoid conditions that may lead to the printer catching fire.
=== Pinch Hazard ===
Since printers have exposed moving parts, and the movements of the print head can be unexpected, the printers present a pinch hazard. Avoid introducing body parts close to a printer's moving parts.
=== Bodily Harm Hazard ===
''<u>While bodily harm hazards are not applicable to the small FDM printers in our Makerspace</u>'', they may be very real on larger printers where the drive mechanisms are very powerful to account for fast and accurate movements of a heavy print head. As a general rule when working with industrial machinery, please refrain from introducing any parts of your body within the range of movement of the print head or near exposed moving parts of machinery while it is powered on.
==[[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner/3D printing in our Makerspace|3D printing in our Makerspace]]==
==[[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner/3D printing in our Makerspace|3D printing in our Makerspace]]==
===Create or Find a 3D model===
===Create or Find a 3D model===
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There are many ways to create or find a 3D model. If you want to browse through a library, [https://www.thingiverse.com/ Thingiverse] or [https://www.youmagine.com/ Youmagine]. These sites are a great way to inspire yourself. If you are more of a do it yourself type of person there are several programs you can try.
There are many ways to create or find a 3D model. If you want to browse through a library, [https://www.thingiverse.com/ Thingiverse] or [https://www.youmagine.com/ Youmagine]. These sites are a great way to inspire yourself. If you are more of a do it yourself type of person there are several programs you can try.
===Save or download the model as an stl===
===Save or download the model as an stl===
What is an stl file? It is a stereolithography file format (an old cad software). STL stands for "standard triangle language". This type of file uses a web of polygons to describe a 3D object. It is this easiest and the default file type with most of 3D printing software.
What is an stl file? It is a ''stereolithography'' (an old cad software) file format, but is was later adapted as a standard file format. STL stands for "standard triangle language". This type of file uses a web of polygons to describe a 3D object. It is this easiest and the default file type with most of 3D printing software.
In Tinkercad, click on '''Export''' a new window will pop up and then select *'''.STL'''
In Tinkercad, click on '''Export''' a new window will pop up and then select *'''.STL'''
===Slicing===
===Slicing===
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====Open Model====
====Open Model====
Your ''stl'' file contains a set of triangular faces in 3D space. If you send this to a 3D printer, it will not know what to do. A slicer “slices” the 3D object into layers and then generates machine code (contained in a gCode file). Different printers work better with different slicers. The slicers need to be downloaded onto your computer. If you happen to not have access to a personal computer in our space, note that all our computers have all the software required to slice a print for any of the printers available for you to use.
Your ''stl'' file contains a set of triangular faces in 3D space. If you send this to a 3D printer, it will not know what to do. A slicer “slices” the 3D object into layers and then generates machine code (contained in a gCode file). Different printers work better with different slicers. The slicers need to be downloaded onto your computer. If you happen to not have access to a personal computer in our space, note that all our computers have all the software required to slice a print for any of the printers available for you to use.
===Start the print===
===Start the print===
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Starting your print is very simple. Simply save your file to an SD card and click print.
Starting your print is very simple. Simply save your file to an SD card and click print.
==[[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner/Troubleshooting a failing print|Troubleshooting a failing print]]==
==[[Digital technologies/3D printing/3D printing- Beginner/Troubleshooting a failing print|Troubleshooting a failing print]]==
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Many things can go wrong when 3D printing. Thankfully, using recommended settings should always work well, and such, diagnosing a failing print is fairly easy. The following are a set of issues, possible causes, as well as potential fixes.
Many things can go wrong when 3D printing. Thankfully, using recommended settings should always work well, and such, diagnosing a failing print is fairly easy. The following are a set of issues, possible causes, as well as potential fixes.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"