Difference between revisions of "Equipment/3D Printer"

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= Summary =
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[[Equipment|Equipment]] / 3D Printer
[[File:Up_3d_printer.jpg|thumb|left]]
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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]).
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= Introduction =
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FDM (filament deposition modelling) 3D printing is a way of creating small, custom objects from plastic filament. The printer melts the filament, held on a spool, and prints with it to create 3D structures. Makespace has four FDM printers, all of them Ultimaker 2.  
  
We have a dedicated PC running win7 and UP! software. It can import STL design files from Google sketchup.
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The Ultimaker 2 is now the only supported printer. Members trained to use the Makerbot may join a quick conversion session to be signed off to use Ultimaker rather than having to attend a new user Ultimaker session.
  
= Using the 3D Printer =
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= Equipment Pages =
  
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.
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[[Equipment/3D_Printer/UM2|Ultimaker 2+ (PLA and ABS Printers)]]
  
== Owners ==
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= Former (decommissioned) Equipment =
  
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.  
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These pages are included for historic purposes. The printers are no longer in use at Makespace.
  
The current Owners of the 3D printer are:
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[[Equipment/3D_Printer/Makerbot|Makerbot Replicator 2X]]
  
* TBC
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[[Equipment/3D_Printer/Up|UP!]]
* TBC
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If you have any questions, problems or concerns around the 3D printer, these are the people to contact.
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= General 3D Printing Resources =
  
== Training ==
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* [https://www.simplify3d.com/support/print-quality-troubleshooting/ Simplify's excellent 3D printing troubleshooting guide.]
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* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_deposition_modeling Wikipedia entry for FDM printing]
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* [https://www.thingiverse.com/ Source of free CAD models for printing]
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* [https://3dfilaprint.com/ Web store for a wide variety of filaments] (5% discount code for MS members: cambmake)
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* [https://www.faberdashery.co.uk/ Web store specialising in good quality PLA filaments] (10% discount code for MS members: CAMMAKESPACE10)
  
<div style="background:#FADADD; border:1px solid #FFC0CB; padding:5px">
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= Software =
<b>YOU CAN ONLY USE THE 3D PRINTER IF YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED AND ARE ON THE [[Equipment/3DPrinter/Training|TRAINED USER LIST]]!</b>
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</div>
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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.  
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For machine specific software please visit the equipment pages linked above.
  
If you'd like to arrange training, please see:
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* [http://sketchup.google.com/ Google SketchUp] with STL plugin as below
* [[Equipment/3DPrinter/Training|3D Printer Training]]
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** [http://www.guitar-list.com/download-software/convert-sketchup-skp-files-dxf-or-stl This plugin] seems to work quite well. Use 'File/Export to DXF or STL' from Sketchup once you have installed it and select 'STL' as the last item in the type list when asked
 
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* [http://www.netfabb.com/ NetFabb] repairs any incomplete STL files
== Health and Safety ==
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* [http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/ Meshlab] is a good free program (Sourceforge) for visualising and modifying STL files
 
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* [http://www.openscad.org/ OpenSCAD] is a script-based modeller ('3D compiler'), well-suited for technical CAD (less so for artistic design)
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:
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* '''ONLY USE THE 3D PRINTER IF YOU ARE ON THE LIST OF TRAINED USERS'''
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* '''NEVER LEAVE THE PRINTER RUNNING UNATTENDED'''
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* '''KNOW WHAT TO DO IF A FIRE BREAKS OUT'''
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As a trained user, you should be very aware of the following risks and how to deal with them:
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'''HEAD CRASH''' - incorrect calibration could cause the nozzle to hit the platen at job start
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* You must watch the printer as it starts the job, and be ready to turn off the power if a collision occurs
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'''TRAPPING''' - The head and bed of the machine are moved by programs in the machines memory.
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* Be careful when near the machine, it will possibly move even if the PC is off
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'''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.
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* Be careful when the machine is on, or has recently been used, to guard against burns
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== Instructions ==
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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.
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'''Power Up'''
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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.
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'''Load your Design'''
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'''Download to the Printer'''
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'''DO NOT EVER LEAVE THE PRINTER UNATTENDED'''
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'''Finishing'''
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'''Power Down'''
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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.
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= Maintenance =
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The maintenance of the 3D printer is carried out by the Owners, with some basic maintenance being carried out by Users on every job.
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== Maintenance Schedule ==
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Continuous Maintenance (Every job, done by all 3D Printer Users)
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* Clean the platen of any plastic remnants
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* Check the new material is feeding OK and the reel has enough on it
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Basic Maintenance (Every week, done by Printer Maintainers)
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* TBD
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Full Maintenance (Every 4 weeks, done by 3d Printer Maintainers)
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* TBD
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== Maintenance Log ==
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'''Reactive Maintenance'''
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* None
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'''Regular Maintenance'''
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* Week Number, Date, Type, Owner (Notes)
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2013
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* '''Week 02, January 7,
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* Week 03, January 14,
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* Week 04, January 21,
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* Week 05, January 28,
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* '''Week 06, February 4, '''
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* Week 07, February 11,
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* Week 08, February 18,
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* Week 09, February 25,
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* '''Week 10, March 4, '''
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* Week 11, March 11,
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* Week 12, March 18,
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* Week 13, March 25,
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* '''Week 14, April 1,'''
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<!--
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* Week 15, April 8,
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* Week 16, April 15,
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* Week 17, April 22,
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* '''Week 18, April 29, '''
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* Week 19, May 6,
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* Week 20, May 13,
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* Week 21, May 20,
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* '''Week 22, May 27, '''
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* Week 23, June 3,
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* Week 24, June 10,
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* Week 25, June 17,
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* '''Week 26, June 24, '''
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* Week 27, July 1,
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* Week 28, July 8,
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* Week 29, July 15,
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* '''Week 30, July 22, '''
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* Week 31, July 29,
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* Week 32, August 5,
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* Week 33, August 12,
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* '''Week 34, August 19, '''
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* Week 35, August 26,
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* Week 36, September 2,
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* Week 37, September 9,
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* '''Week 38, September 16, '''
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* Week 39, September 23,
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* Week 40, September 30,
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* Week 41, October 7,
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* '''Week 42, October 14, '''
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* Week 43, October 21,
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* Week 44, October 28,
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* Week 45, November 4,
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* '''Week 46, November 11,'''
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* Week 47, November 18,
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* Week 48, November 25,
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* Week 49, December 2,
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* '''Week 50, December 9, '''
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* Week 51, December 16,
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* Week 52, December 23,
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-->
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== Maintenance Shopping List ==
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* TBD
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= Further Information =
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== Repairs ==
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We expect to have to change the following parts for general maintenance:
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* TBD
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Maintenance and Spares:
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* One UK supplier of consumables is [http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/consumables-c-89_98.html Cool Components]
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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.
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== Software ==
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You can download Quickstart manual and latest driver software from [http://www.pp3dp.com/index.php?option=com_jdownloads&view=viewcategories&Itemid=89 pp3dp].
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* Google Sketch up - [http://sketchup.google.com/ link] with stl plugin as below
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* This plugin seems to work quite well [http://www.guitar-list.com/download-software/convert-sketchup-skp-files-dxf-or-stl link]
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However this program repairs any incomplete stl files [http://www.netfabb.com/ link]
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Or this program [http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/ link]
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Latest revision as of 10:07, 8 April 2018

Equipment / 3D Printer

Introduction

FDM (filament deposition modelling) 3D printing is a way of creating small, custom objects from plastic filament. The printer melts the filament, held on a spool, and prints with it to create 3D structures. Makespace has four FDM printers, all of them Ultimaker 2.

The Ultimaker 2 is now the only supported printer. Members trained to use the Makerbot may join a quick conversion session to be signed off to use Ultimaker rather than having to attend a new user Ultimaker session.

Equipment Pages

Ultimaker 2+ (PLA and ABS Printers)

Former (decommissioned) Equipment

These pages are included for historic purposes. The printers are no longer in use at Makespace.

Makerbot Replicator 2X

UP!

General 3D Printing Resources

Software

For machine specific software please visit the equipment pages linked above.

  • Google SketchUp with STL plugin as below
    • This plugin seems to work quite well. Use 'File/Export to DXF or STL' from Sketchup once you have installed it and select 'STL' as the last item in the type list when asked
  • NetFabb repairs any incomplete STL files
  • Meshlab is a good free program (Sourceforge) for visualising and modifying STL files
  • OpenSCAD is a script-based modeller ('3D compiler'), well-suited for technical CAD (less so for artistic design)