3D Printing
: an additive process for making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, accomplished by laying down many successive thin layers of a material
Invented by Chuck Hull in 1986, 3D printing allows for the physical fabrication (making) of a three-dimensional object in the real world from a computer design. Objects can be virtually any shape. They must be communicated digitially to the printer -- usually in a large set of thin slices -- so that the filament (the plastic, typically one of two types ABS or PLA) can be extruded in a pattern that builds the shape from bottom to top. Unsupported regions of the shape, such as arms on a snowman, are often built using additional support structures that can be removed once the print is finished. 3D printing allows for rapid prototyping, or building shapes quickly and easily that previously would have required more complicated manufacturing methods such as casting. Futurologist Jeremy Rifkin believes that 3D printing is the beginning of a third industrial revolution.
VIDEOS
These videos provide a brief introduction to 3D printing as well as some exciting applications of the technology.
These videos provide a brief introduction to 3D printing as well as some exciting applications of the technology.
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3D DESIGNING AND PRINTING IN THE FABLAB
You will use one of three programs to design 3D objects: Tinkercad, Fusion 360, or Sculptris. All three design environments are free, but there are advantages to each one:
You will use one of three programs to design 3D objects: Tinkercad, Fusion 360, or Sculptris. All three design environments are free, but there are advantages to each one:
- Tinkercad is ideal for beginners and best for geometric shapes; it operates in a web browser and you'll need to create an online account to use it
- Fusion 360 is an excellent next step after gaining skill in Tinkercad; it is harder to use, but includes many professional-grade features; it is intended to be used when designing geometric objects of all types; create an account and then download and install the program on your laptop
- Sculptris is easy to use and intended to be used for organic shapes including the human form; it operates in a web browser (this program is somewhat prone to crashing, so be sure to save often)
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STARTER PROJECTS
Your instructors will provide a variety of introductory projects to help you gain experience in 3D designing and printing. A good starting project for TinkerCad is a simple snowman made of spheres. Creating and positioning your first sphere, you'll learn that it's important to "cut off" the bottom of the snowman so that it has a nice, flat support base. You'll also learn to use the different viewing angles to lift and lower the spheres along the vertical axis (z-axis). Lastly, you'll explore how the arrow keys allow you to nudge the spheres along the horizontal plane (x-y plane) to get them to stack up correctly. A short video on making the snowman in TinkerCad is shown above.
A good second project for TinkerCad is a Monopoly game piece. Following are several examples of designs and printed pieces you can use to spark your imagination. Keep in mind that game pieces are small -- no more than 30mm in any dimension (and typically smaller).
Your instructors will provide a variety of introductory projects to help you gain experience in 3D designing and printing. A good starting project for TinkerCad is a simple snowman made of spheres. Creating and positioning your first sphere, you'll learn that it's important to "cut off" the bottom of the snowman so that it has a nice, flat support base. You'll also learn to use the different viewing angles to lift and lower the spheres along the vertical axis (z-axis). Lastly, you'll explore how the arrow keys allow you to nudge the spheres along the horizontal plane (x-y plane) to get them to stack up correctly. A short video on making the snowman in TinkerCad is shown above.
A good second project for TinkerCad is a Monopoly game piece. Following are several examples of designs and printed pieces you can use to spark your imagination. Keep in mind that game pieces are small -- no more than 30mm in any dimension (and typically smaller).
To learn more about the design process, we encourage you to explore the many online libraries of objects created with these (and other) design environments. However, please use the 3D printers in the Fab Lab to print only those original objects you have created yourself.
The Fab Lab is outfitted with 10 FlashForge Finders (single filament), 10 FlashForge Creators (dual filament) and one Gigabot printer. Your initial prints will be conducted on the Finders. Download and install this FlashPrint software for printing your .STL files (note that you may have to open System Preferences and allow the installation of this software):
The Fab Lab is outfitted with 10 FlashForge Finders (single filament), 10 FlashForge Creators (dual filament) and one Gigabot printer. Your initial prints will be conducted on the Finders. Download and install this FlashPrint software for printing your .STL files (note that you may have to open System Preferences and allow the installation of this software):
| flashprint_feb_2017.pkg.zip |
Download the following document for guidance in completing prints on the Finders.
| 3d_printing_on_flashforge_finder.pdf |