1. For the 2016 NJASL Conference Long Branch, NJ
3D Printing
For the 2016 NJASL Conference
Long Branch, NJ
By: Melody Townley
Follow along here:

2. What is 3D Printing? Also called “additive manufacturing”.
Makes 3D objects from a digital file.
Successive, very thin layers of an object are laid down.
Each layer is a cross section of the entire object.
Image credit:

3. What are the Parts of a 3D Printer?
Extruder carriage
User menus
Plastic spool
USB drive
Build plate

4. How Does a 3D Printer Print?
It uses a 3D design file - often called a Computer Aided Design (CAD) file.
It melts special plastic (ABS plastic) at extremely hot temperatures (over 600° F).
It uses the extruder to squeeze out thin filaments of plastic.
And it builds objects with millions of tiny layers
ABS plastic spool

5. 3D Printing Misconceptions
3D printing is done with melted plastic, not with paper.
3D printing is not nearly as fast as printing paper documents or making paper copies.
While there are printers capable of printing with a wide variety of materials (from chocolate to metal to cell membranes), our printer can only print with plastic.

6. What Are Specifics I Need to Know?
Our printer is a Makerbot Replicator 5th generation.
Makerbot will accept 3D files in the following formats:
.stl
.obj
.thing
.makerbot
It will usually print 30% filled.
It can only print one color at a time.
The colors we have are white, red, blue, and clear.
Depending on size, print jobs may take hours.

7. How Do I Find Something to Print?
The printer comes with some pre-sets.
You can find free files online that other people share:
Thingiverse (
SketchFab (
123D (
There are also places online where you can buy 3D files.
You can insert a flash drive with 3D files on it into the printer.

8. How Can I Use the 3D Printer?
You can print things for your class(es).
You can have students design (or find) files in advance and bring them to me for printing.

9. What If I think I Can’t Design?
You don’t need to be a design genius!
Try Tinkercad (
Offers step by step tutorials (“quests”).
Don’t need intense math, programming, or design skills.
Use shape building to make designs.
“Copy and Tinker” feature.
Accounts are free.

10. Apps for 3D Printing
Thingiverse
Makerbot
PrintShop (tablets only)

11. Suggestions for Making Files
Do not make prints with very fine detail.
Prints will come out with wispy hairs if the detail is too fine.
Print in white or clear – you can paint colors as needed.

12. What Do I Do When I Have a File?
You can follow the step-by-step directions and use the 3D printer yourself.
You can files to me for printing.
I can assist you with 3D printing. I’m here to help!

13. What If I Make a Mistake? Makerbot is your friend!
It “prepares” 3D files for you.

14. If your item is set “off” the building area, it will tell you!
Mistakes (cont.)
If your item is set “off” the building area, it will tell you!

15. Mistakes (cont.) Plastic can jam in the extruder.
A breeze can cause part of your files to warp.
The extruder could have trouble pulling in new plastic.
These problems are very basic and can be easily troubleshot by me – or by you if you’d like to get hands on!

16. What If I Can’t Fix a Mistake?
Makerbot customer support is very helpful.
They are based in NYC.
They can send in-person tech help.
We do get 2 extruder replacements per calendar year.
We get two new replacements in the mail along with a return sticker.
We return the non-working extruders free of charge.

17. What Do I Do When My Job is Finished?
Your job must be pried off the build plate.
Your job will require some minor cleaning work.
Jobs must be built with “rafts” and “supports”.
A “raft” helps stabilize the material you’re building.
“Supports” help support free standing pieces while the object is being built.

18. What If I Need to Print a Lot?
If you need a large number of print jobs, please me at
Be aware that the size of your print and the quantity of the item that you need will increase your job time.

19. What Can’t I Print?
For commercial and resale purposes, you cannot print any copyrighted items.
You cannot print functional, lethal weapons.
You cannot print anything deemed dangerous or offensive by our school rules.
You cannot print anything larger than 9.9” x 7.8” x 5.9”.
You cannot print anything filled more than 40%. Some exceptions apply.

20. How Do I Connect This to My Class?
You’re limited only by your imagination!
You can build equipment and parts you’d usually buy from specialty retailers.
You can build replacement parts.
You can encourage students to include 3D design as part of class projects.
You can use 3D prints as “rewards” for meeting goals.

21. Creations From This Year

22. Why Use 3D Printing in My Class?
“Productive failure”
Manu Kapur
Students grapple deeply with problems.
“Activate” previous areas of knowledge.
Maintain learned knowledge longer.
Mimics real world skills where subject areas are intermingled.
Making and tinkering involve hands-on learning which caters to learning styles not supported by traditional learning.
It is a break from testing environments.

23. Questions? Think of questions later? Email me!
Feel free to ask questions now!

24. Tinker Time!
Create a free account on Tinkercad and browse available designs or try some mini-tutorials!

25. Thank You for Coming!