3D-PRINTING OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE PLASTIC
3D-PRINTING WORKFLOW 1.Acquire or Design a digital 3D object 2.Get this object into a file format compatible with software (.STL, etc…) 3.Use “slicing” software to convert the.STL file into a file the printer uses (.GCODE) a.Printer settings b.Material settings c.Adjust the size of the object d.Other? 4.Wait patiently, or start designing a new object.
FILE TYPES.STL (“open source”, stands for Stereo Lithography, most common).OBJ (“open source”, stands for Object File, 2 nd most common).X3D (“open source”, ISO standard for XML-based 3D graphics) Lots of other formats
WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE.STL FILE? We “slice” the.stl file using “slicing” software. Common Software Used Cura (What I will use today) open source outputs.gcode what this talk will use Makerbot outputs closed format what is currently used by the Valley Library Other software includes: Slic3r, Kisslicer, Simplify3D, and more…
WHAT IS.GCODE?.gcode is a common file format that 3D-Printers use to print an object. Example.gcode
SLICING SOFTWARE SETTINGS Quality Layer Height Shell Thickness Fill Density Fill Bottom/Top Thickness Fill Density Print Speed Support Support Structure Type Raft or Brim (Platform Adhesion Type) And many many more….
CAN WE PRINT YET? Last Step Export a.gcode file Now We Can Print!
Time for a live demonstration… This PowerPoint presentation can be found at