Difference between revisions of "3d printing"

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(Created page with "The Fab Lab has a Makerbot Replicator 2 for 3D printing using PLA plastic. ==Training== The replicator 2 is a relatively easy and straightforward machine to use. BUT please ask ...")
 
(→‎Typical workflow (how to design and print something))
 
(7 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
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The Fab Lab has a Makerbot Replicator 2 for 3D printing using PLA plastic.
 
The Fab Lab has a Makerbot Replicator 2 for 3D printing using PLA plastic.
 +
 +
'''Watch out - experimental advice - not road tested!'''
  
 
==Training==
 
==Training==
Line 5: Line 7:
 
to show you how before trying it.
 
to show you how before trying it.
  
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== Prerequisites ==
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[[3D_printing prerequisites|Import stuff before you start including what software to use]]
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The printer is set up only to accept files in .x3g format supplied on an SD card. If you want to print some other way forget it.
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== Typical workflow (how to design and print something) ==
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Since most instructions will assume you print from makerware from a computer directly attached to the print please follow these
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<ol>
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instructions carefully (else you can bugger the printer).
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<li> In OpenSCAD design an object - this is done by writing a little program to describe it. This is very easy and very efficient, eg.
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<pre>
 +
// linos compatible plate with 30mm hole
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$fn=50;
 +
difference()
 +
{
 +
// the cube
 +
minkowski() // does convolution of the shapes in the routine
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{
 +
cube([38,38,8],center=true);
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cylinder(r=1,h=1);
 +
}
 +
// the stuff we remove
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rotate([0,0,0])cylinder(h=50,r=15,center=true);
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translate([15,15,0])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true); // translation/movements stack
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translate([-15,15,0])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true);
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translate([15,-15,0])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true);
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translate([-15,-15,0])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true);
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}
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</pre>
  
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=== Software ===
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In-depth review of commands can be found on [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual wikibooks].
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Please install the follow bits of software on your computer - they all run on all platforms (Windows, Mac and Linux) and all have reasonable instructions for
 
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installation. I have only tested on linux from kubuntu, YMMV.
 
  
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==== OpenSCAD ====
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When you're happy use OpenSCAD to save in the .STL format
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This is a really nice bit of software for designing 3D objects. You use it be writing a very simple program to describe your object. Once you are happy
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</li>
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you export to a .STL file which describes your object. OpenSCAD is in kubuntu repositories
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<li> Turn the .STL into .x3g
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<ol>
 +
<li> Load the .STL file in replicatorg<br> '''NB: Make sure replicatorg is set for the correct printer''' (machine:machine type (driver):replicator 2). </li>
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<li> Use the GCode:estimate function to estimate how long your design will take to print - do you really want to do this?</li>
 +
<li> Select generate .gcode (or click the ->gcode button), this will typically take a few minutes. This '''should''' spot if your design has -ve height - '''allow replicatorg to fix this'''. Get a cup of tea.</li>
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<li>Generate the .x3g file - press the ->document icon (Build file for SD card, located next to ->gcode button). '''Make sure you select .x3g".</li>
 +
</li>
  
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==== ReplicatorG ====
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<li> Check the .gcode with RepitierHost<br>Simply load the .gcode file and check it layer by layer to make sure you are happy.</li>
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This will take the .STL file and produce .gcode and .x3g code.  The .gcode is basically the generic instructions for printing the object. The .x3g is a
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</ol>
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specific translation of the gcode for the 3D printer. ReplicatorG can be obtained here: http://replicat.org/
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<li> Put your .x3g file onto an SD card. Take to the printer, insert and print.</li>
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</ol>
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==== ReptierHost ====
 
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This is useful for viewing the .gcode instructions to make sure you are happy with the internal structure of the object you're designing.
 
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RepetierHost can be downloaded here: http://www.repetier.com/download/
 
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==== Makerware ====
 
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This is makerbot's own system - I haven't tried it.
 
−
 
 
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== Typical workflow (how to design and print something) ==
 
−
In OpenSCAD design an object - this is done by writing a little program to describe it. This is very easy and very efficient, eg.
 
−
 
 
−
<source lang="c">  
 
−
$fn=50;
 
−
difference(){
 
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// the cube
 
−
minkowski() {
 
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cube([38,38,38],center=true);
 
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// rounded corners
 
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sphere(r=1,$fn=10);
 
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}
 
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// the stuff we remove
 
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rotate([0,0,0])cylinder(h=50,r=15,center=true);
 
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rotate([90,0,0])cylinder(h=50,r=15,center=true);
 
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rotate([90,0,90])cylinder(h=50,r=15,center=true);
 
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translate([15,15,21])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true);
 
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translate([-15,15,21])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true);
 
−
translate([15,-15,21])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true);
 
−
translate([-15,-15,21])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true);
 
−
translate([15,15,-21])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true);
 
−
translate([-15,15,-21])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true);
 
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translate([15,-15,-21])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true);
 
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translate([-15,-15,-21])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true);
 
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}
 
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</source>
 

Latest revision as of 11:48, 12 June 2013

The Fab Lab has a Makerbot Replicator 2 for 3D printing using PLA plastic.

Watch out - experimental advice - not road tested!

Training

The replicator 2 is a relatively easy and straightforward machine to use. BUT please ask someone who has used it before to show you how before trying it.

Import stuff before you start including what software to use

Typical workflow (how to design and print something)

  1. In OpenSCAD design an object - this is done by writing a little program to describe it. This is very easy and very efficient, eg. 
     
// linos compatible plate with 30mm hole
$fn=50; 
difference()
	{ 
	// the cube 
	minkowski() // does convolution of the shapes in the routine
		{ 
		cube([38,38,8],center=true); 
		cylinder(r=1,h=1); 
		} 
	// the stuff we remove 
	rotate([0,0,0])cylinder(h=50,r=15,center=true); 
	translate([15,15,0])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true); // translation/movements stack
	translate([-15,15,0])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true); 
	translate([15,-15,0])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true); 
	translate([-15,-15,0])cylinder(h=10,r=3,center=true); 
	}

    In-depth review of commands can be found on wikibooks.

    When you're happy use OpenSCAD to save in the .STL format

  2. Turn the .STL into .x3g
    1. Load the .STL file in replicatorg
      NB: Make sure replicatorg is set for the correct printer (machine:machine type (driver):replicator 2).
    2. Use the GCode:estimate function to estimate how long your design will take to print - do you really want to do this?
    3. Select generate .gcode (or click the ->gcode button), this will typically take a few minutes. This should spot if your design has -ve height - allow replicatorg to fix this. Get a cup of tea.
    4. Generate the .x3g file - press the ->document icon (Build file for SD card, located next to ->gcode button). Make sure you select .x3g".
    5. Check the .gcode with RepitierHost
      Simply load the .gcode file and check it layer by layer to make sure you are happy.
  3. Put your .x3g file onto an SD card. Take to the printer, insert and print.
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