Difference between revisions of "Equipment/3D Printer"

From Makespace
Jump to: navigation, search
m (Added discount codes (since the 3dfilaprint one was already published on a previous page))
Line 2: Line 2:
  
 
= Introduction =
 
= 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 three 3D printers; an Ultimaker 2, an UP! and a Makerbot Replicator 2X. Currently, the Makerbot is the only supported printer in the space, but is due to be replaced with the Ultimaker 2 in the very near future. At that time both the Makerbot and UP! will be come unsupported (training will no longer be available) and may be decommissioned in future.
+
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 three 3D printers; an Ultimaker 2, an UP! and a Makerbot Replicator 2X.  
 +
 
 +
The Ultimaker 2 is now the only supported printer. The Makerbot and UP! are unsupported (training will no longer be available) and are likely to be decommissioned. 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 =
 
= Equipment Pages =
Line 14: Line 16:
 
= General 3D Printing Resources =
 
= General 3D Printing Resources =
  
 +
* [https://www.simplify3d.com/support/print-quality-troubleshooting/ Simplify's excellent 3D printing troubleshooting guide.]
 
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_deposition_modeling Wikipedia entry for FDM printing]
 
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_deposition_modeling Wikipedia entry for FDM printing]
 
* [https://www.thingiverse.com/ Source of free CAD models for printing]
 
* [https://www.thingiverse.com/ Source of free CAD models for printing]

Revision as of 00:07, 23 November 2015

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 three 3D printers; an Ultimaker 2, an UP! and a Makerbot Replicator 2X.

The Ultimaker 2 is now the only supported printer. The Makerbot and UP! are unsupported (training will no longer be available) and are likely to be decommissioned. 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

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)