Difference between revisions of "Equipment/3D Printer"

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(Created page with "The 3-D printer is an UP! (a slightly older version of [http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/plus-personal-portable-printer-p-644.html the device currently available]). You c...")
 
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The 3-D printer is an UP! (a slightly older version of [http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/plus-personal-portable-printer-p-644.html the device currently available]).
+
= Summary =
 +
 
 +
This is our 3D printer. The 3-D printer is an UP! (a slightly older version of [http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/plus-personal-portable-printer-p-644.html the device currently available]).
 +
 
 +
We have a dedicated PC running win7 and UP! software. It can import STL design files from Google sketchup.
 +
 
 +
= Using the 3D Printer =
 +
 
 +
The 3D printer is an excellent tool for either making small parts, or rapid prototyping. At the same time it is an expensive tool with a risk of injury and fire, so is very important you know how to use it to avoid damaging yourself and the machine. You must only use the 3D printer if you have been trained, and if you are ever in any doubt about something, please ask for assistance.
 +
 
 +
== Owners ==
 +
 
 +
The Owners are those nominally in charge of the equipment, organising its maintenance, training others to use it, and generally being a point of contact.
 +
 
 +
The current Owners of the 3D printer are:
 +
 
 +
* TBC
 +
* TBC
 +
 
 +
If you have any questions, problems or concerns around the 3D printer, these are the people to contact.
 +
 
 +
== Training ==
 +
 
 +
<div style="background:#FADADD; border:1px solid #FFC0CB; padding:5px">
 +
<b>YOU CAN ONLY USE THE 3D PRINTER IF YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED AND ARE ON THE [[Equipment/3DPrinter/Training|TRAINED USER LIST]]!</b>
 +
</div>
 +
 
 +
To get trained on the 3D printer and be added to the qualified user list, you will need to arrange for a training session with one of the 3D printer Owners.
 +
 
 +
If you'd like to arrange training, please see:
 +
* [[Equipment/3DPrinter/Training|3D Printer Training]]
 +
 
 +
== Health and Safety ==
 +
 
 +
The 3D printer is a potentially dangerous piece of equipment which must only be operated by members who have received appropriate training and who take due care. The top things to always remember when using the 3D printer are:
 +
* '''ONLY USE THE 3D PRINTER IF YOU ARE ON THE LIST OF TRAINED USERS'''
 +
* '''NEVER LEAVE THE PRINTER RUNNING UNATTENDED'''
 +
* '''KNOW WHAT TO DO IF A FIRE BREAKS OUT'''
 +
 
 +
As a trained user, you should be very aware of the following risks and how to deal with them:
 +
 
 +
'''HEAD CRASH''' - incorrect calibration could cause the nozzle to hit the platen at job start
 +
* You must watch the printer as it starts the job, and be ready to turn off the power if a collision occurs
 +
 
 +
'''TRAPPING''' - The head and bed of the machine are moved by programs in the machines memory.
 +
* Be careful when near the machine, it will possibly move even if the PC is off
 +
 
 +
'''BURN RISK''' - the platen on the printer is heated, and will reach temperatures during a print run which could cause skin burns. Also a malfunction could cause this to overheat.
 +
* Be careful when the machine is on or has recently been used to guard against burns
 +
 
 +
 
 +
== Instructions ==
 +
 
 +
To use the printer you must have been trained and have had your name added to the trained user list; these instructions are not a substitute for this training. See the training section to understand how you can become qualified to use the printer.
 +
 
 +
'''Power Up'''
 +
 
 +
Give the machine a quick visual check. Make sure that there is nothing left on the platen. Remove the platen support piece from under the platen and gently lower it. Turn on the machine with the rocker switch on the front.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Load your Design'''
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Download to the Printer'''
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''DO NOT EVER LEAVE THE PRINTER UNATTENDED'''
 +
 
 +
'''Finishing'''
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Power Down'''
 +
 
 +
The printer is turned off using the rocker switch on the front. Shut down the PC and double check that everything is left in save state for the next user.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
= Maintenance =
 +
 
 +
The maintenance of the 3D printer is carried out by the Owners, with some basic maintenance being carried out by Users on every job.
 +
 
 +
== Maintenance Schedule ==
 +
 
 +
Continuous Maintenance (Every job, done by all 3D Printer Users)
 +
* Clean the platen of any plastic remnants
 +
* Check the new material is feeding OK and the reel has enough on it
 +
 
 +
Basic Maintenance (Every week, done by Printer Maintainers)
 +
* TBD
 +
 
 +
Full Maintenance (Every 4 weeks, done by 3d Printer Maintainers)
 +
* TBD
 +
 
 +
== Maintenance Log ==
 +
 
 +
'''Reactive Maintenance'''
 +
* None
 +
 
 +
'''Regular Maintenance'''
 +
* Week Number, Date, Type, Owner (Notes)
 +
 
 +
2013
 +
* '''Week 02, January 7,
 +
* Week 03, January 14,
 +
* Week 04, January 21,
 +
* Week 05, January 28,
 +
* '''Week 06, February 4, '''
 +
* Week 07, February 11,
 +
* Week 08, February 18,
 +
* Week 09, February 25,
 +
* '''Week 10, March 4, '''
 +
* Week 11, March 11,
 +
* Week 12, March 18,
 +
* Week 13, March 25,
 +
* '''Week 14, April 1,'''
 +
 
 +
<!--
 +
* Week 15, April 8,
 +
* Week 16, April 15,
 +
* Week 17, April 22,
 +
* '''Week 18, April 29, '''
 +
* Week 19, May 6,
 +
* Week 20, May 13,
 +
* Week 21, May 20,
 +
* '''Week 22, May 27, '''
 +
* Week 23, June 3,
 +
* Week 24, June 10,
 +
* Week 25, June 17,
 +
* '''Week 26, June 24, '''
 +
* Week 27, July 1,
 +
* Week 28, July 8,
 +
* Week 29, July 15,
 +
* '''Week 30, July 22, '''
 +
* Week 31, July 29,
 +
* Week 32, August 5,
 +
* Week 33, August 12,
 +
* '''Week 34, August 19, '''
 +
* Week 35, August 26,
 +
* Week 36, September 2,
 +
* Week 37, September 9,
 +
* '''Week 38, September 16, '''
 +
* Week 39, September 23,
 +
* Week 40, September 30,
 +
* Week 41, October 7,
 +
* '''Week 42, October 14, '''
 +
* Week 43, October 21,
 +
* Week 44, October 28,
 +
* Week 45, November 4,
 +
* '''Week 46, November 11,'''
 +
* Week 47, November 18,
 +
* Week 48, November 25,
 +
* Week 49, December 2,
 +
* '''Week 50, December 9, '''
 +
* Week 51, December 16,
 +
* Week 52, December 23,
 +
-->
 +
 
 +
== Maintenance Shopping List ==
 +
 
 +
* TBD
 +
 
 +
= Further Information =
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
== Repairs ==
 +
 
 +
We expect to have to change the following parts for general maintenance:
 +
* TBD
 +
 
 +
Maintenance and Spares:
 +
* One UK supplier of consumables is [http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/consumables-c-89_98.html Cool Components]
 +
 
  
−
You can download Quickstart manual and latest driver software from [http://www.pp3dp.com/index.php?option=com_jdownloads&view=viewcategories&Itemid=89 pp3dp]. PLEASE do read the manual before you have a play -- it's not totally obvious how to set up a print run.
 
  
 
Our printer has been modified to support solid 3mm ABS plastic sheets as the base. These are disposable; they have to be cut from the big sheet and drilled using the jig we have created. The bolted-down solid plastic dramatically reduces problems with warping, and it also saves time and material when printing: you should disable the automatic raft.
 
Our printer has been modified to support solid 3mm ABS plastic sheets as the base. These are disposable; they have to be cut from the big sheet and drilled using the jig we have created. The bolted-down solid plastic dramatically reduces problems with warping, and it also saves time and material when printing: you should disable the automatic raft.
−
=== Consumables ===
 
−
One UK supplier of consumables is [http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/consumables-c-89_98.html Cool Components]
 
  
 
=== Software ===
 
=== Software ===
  
−
Google Sketch up - sketchup.google.com/ with stl plugin
+
You can download Quickstart manual and latest driver software from [http://www.pp3dp.com/index.php?option=com_jdownloads&view=viewcategories&Itemid=89 pp3dp].
 +
 
 +
* Google Sketch up - [http://sketchup.google.com/ link] with stl plugin as below
  
−
This plugin seems to work quite well www.guitar-list.com/download-software/convert-sketchup-skp-files-dxf-or-stl
+
* This plugin seems to work quite well [http://www.guitar-list.com/download-software/convert-sketchup-skp-files-dxf-or-stl link]
  
−
However this program repairs any incomplete stl files www.netfabb.com/
+
However this program repairs any incomplete stl files [http://www.netfabb.com/ link]
  
−
Or this program http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/
+
Or this program [http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/ link]

Revision as of 16:18, 22 January 2013

Summary

This is our 3D printer. The 3-D printer is an UP! (a slightly older version of the device currently available).

We have a dedicated PC running win7 and UP! software. It can import STL design files from Google sketchup.

Using the 3D Printer

The 3D printer is an excellent tool for either making small parts, or rapid prototyping. At the same time it is an expensive tool with a risk of injury and fire, so is very important you know how to use it to avoid damaging yourself and the machine. You must only use the 3D printer if you have been trained, and if you are ever in any doubt about something, please ask for assistance.

Owners

The Owners are those nominally in charge of the equipment, organising its maintenance, training others to use it, and generally being a point of contact.

The current Owners of the 3D printer are:

  • TBC
  • TBC

If you have any questions, problems or concerns around the 3D printer, these are the people to contact.

Training

YOU CAN ONLY USE THE 3D PRINTER IF YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED AND ARE ON THE TRAINED USER LIST!

To get trained on the 3D printer and be added to the qualified user list, you will need to arrange for a training session with one of the 3D printer Owners.

If you'd like to arrange training, please see:

Health and Safety

The 3D printer is a potentially dangerous piece of equipment which must only be operated by members who have received appropriate training and who take due care. The top things to always remember when using the 3D printer are:

  • ONLY USE THE 3D PRINTER IF YOU ARE ON THE LIST OF TRAINED USERS
  • NEVER LEAVE THE PRINTER RUNNING UNATTENDED
  • KNOW WHAT TO DO IF A FIRE BREAKS OUT

As a trained user, you should be very aware of the following risks and how to deal with them:

HEAD CRASH - incorrect calibration could cause the nozzle to hit the platen at job start

  • You must watch the printer as it starts the job, and be ready to turn off the power if a collision occurs

TRAPPING - The head and bed of the machine are moved by programs in the machines memory.

  • Be careful when near the machine, it will possibly move even if the PC is off

BURN RISK - the platen on the printer is heated, and will reach temperatures during a print run which could cause skin burns. Also a malfunction could cause this to overheat.

  • Be careful when the machine is on or has recently been used to guard against burns


Instructions

To use the printer you must have been trained and have had your name added to the trained user list; these instructions are not a substitute for this training. See the training section to understand how you can become qualified to use the printer.

Power Up

Give the machine a quick visual check. Make sure that there is nothing left on the platen. Remove the platen support piece from under the platen and gently lower it. Turn on the machine with the rocker switch on the front.


Load your Design


Download to the Printer


DO NOT EVER LEAVE THE PRINTER UNATTENDED

Finishing


Power Down

The printer is turned off using the rocker switch on the front. Shut down the PC and double check that everything is left in save state for the next user.


Maintenance

The maintenance of the 3D printer is carried out by the Owners, with some basic maintenance being carried out by Users on every job.

Maintenance Schedule

Continuous Maintenance (Every job, done by all 3D Printer Users)

  • Clean the platen of any plastic remnants
  • Check the new material is feeding OK and the reel has enough on it

Basic Maintenance (Every week, done by Printer Maintainers)

  • TBD

Full Maintenance (Every 4 weeks, done by 3d Printer Maintainers)

  • TBD

Maintenance Log

Reactive Maintenance

  • None

Regular Maintenance

  • Week Number, Date, Type, Owner (Notes)

2013

  • Week 02, January 7,
  • Week 03, January 14,
  • Week 04, January 21,
  • Week 05, January 28,
  • Week 06, February 4,
  • Week 07, February 11,
  • Week 08, February 18,
  • Week 09, February 25,
  • Week 10, March 4,
  • Week 11, March 11,
  • Week 12, March 18,
  • Week 13, March 25,
  • Week 14, April 1,


Maintenance Shopping List

  • TBD

Further Information

Repairs

We expect to have to change the following parts for general maintenance:

  • TBD

Maintenance and Spares:


Our printer has been modified to support solid 3mm ABS plastic sheets as the base. These are disposable; they have to be cut from the big sheet and drilled using the jig we have created. The bolted-down solid plastic dramatically reduces problems with warping, and it also saves time and material when printing: you should disable the automatic raft.

Software

You can download Quickstart manual and latest driver software from pp3dp.

  • Google Sketch up - link with stl plugin as below
  • This plugin seems to work quite well link

However this program repairs any incomplete stl files link

Or this program link

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