3dPrintInfo

3D PRINTING
AT THE BAC
REV. FEBRUARY 5, 2015
3D PRINTING HOW IT WORKS
1
YOU BRING ONE OR MORE SCALED 3D MODELS TO THE CODER LAB:
Sketchup models are OK.
AutoCAD 3D models are OK.
Rhino models are GREAT.
REVIT is highly NOT recommended.
STL or OBJ files that meet the following are PERFECT:
YOUR MODEL MUST BE CLOSED, SOLID, “WATERTIGHT,” AND HAVE NO “PARTS” UNDER .5MM/.03” THICK:
A CLOSED model is one that has no bare, unjoined edges.
A SOLID model has no coincident or intersecting geometry.
A WATERTIGHT model is one that, if the INSIDES of the walls were filled with water, it would not leak.
2
LOAD YOUR EXPORTED FILES INTO MAKERBOT DESKTOP SOFTWARE:
3
TURNAROUND TIME:
1. “Add” your files to the Makerbot Desktop software
2. Scale, Orient, and Locate your objects correctly.
3. Have CODER LAB staff review your settings.
4. Once approved, fill out the the MAKERNOTES form and export the printing file.
1. Due to many variables in the 3D printing, we can not guarantee a delivery time.
2. Printing order is determined by the print queue and is on a first-come, first-printed basis.
3. During MIDTERMS and FINALS it can take a WEEK or more to obtain your print.
4. We can not print overnight, as the printers must be monitored.
5. Print jobs are limited to 10 hours per job, and 10 hours per student per week during “crunch time”
3D PRINTING POLICIES
1
APPROVED OPERATORS:
2
APPROVED USERS:
3
APPROVAL REQUIRED:
ONLY THESE PEOPLE ARE APPROVED TO RUN AND OPERATE THE 3D PRINTERS
DAVID HANSEN
ANDREW SHELBURNE
ANXHELINA OPARI
JASON COURTEMANCHE
KENNETH YUEN
RONI AGUILAR
ANY STUDENT, FACULTY, OR STAFF OF THE BAC WHO HAS READ AND UNDERSTOOD THIS DOCUMENT.
1. Your file must be approved by Coder Lab personnel before it will be printed.
2. We cannot accept files by email or remote upload.
3. If we point out errors/problems with your file that you do not want to take the time to correct, we may refuse to print your file OR if we do print
your file, we will make only one attempt, and may stop the print at any time, if it looks like it will degrade the performance of the 3D printer.
MATERIALS AND PRICING:
4
1. We print with MakerBot’s PLA filament.
2. Black, White, and “Clear” are the avaialble filament colors.
3. Pricing is determined by the amount of filament used to print your file.
4. The models are weighed after printing and are billed at 10 Cents per Gram.
THE LOWDOWN
1
TIME IS A FACTOR:
2
DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF:
3
BE REALISTIC ABOUT REALISM:
4
THEY ARE ACCURATE, BUT NOT PRECISE:
5
COST:
1. 3D PRINTING IS NOT FAST - IT CAN TAKE SEVERAL TO MANY HOURS FOR ONE PRINT TO COMPLETE
2. PLAN TO SPEND 2 - 3 HOURS CLEANING UP YOUR DIGITAL MODEL BEFORE EXPORTING AN STL OR OBJ
3. IT MIGHT BE FASTER TO RETRACE THE “EXTERIOR SURFACES” (ALL THE THINGS YOU CAN SEE)
4. THE DIGITAL MODEL YOU MAY HAVE MADE FOR VISUAL CONTENT, WILL LIKELY NOT WORK WELL FOR 3D PRINTING
1. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A MODEL IT SHOULDN’T SHOW EVERY POSSIBLE DETAIL
2. IF TIME IS LIMITED, MAKE SURE THE BIG PARTS ARE MODELED CORRECTLY FIRST, THEN WORK DOWN IN DETAIL LEVEL
3. MODELS SHOULD BE “WATER TIGHT” - IF IT’S NOT WATER TIGHT, IT’S NOT SOLID, AND IT WON’T PRINT WELL*
1. AT 1/32” OR EVEN 1/16” IT CAN’T PRINT A DOOR HANDLE, PANE OF GLASS, ETC.
2. MAYBE DON’T MODEL EACH STAIR, MODEL THE IDEA OF THE STAIRS
3. IF YOU WANT ENTOURAGE IN YOUR MODEL, YOU SHOULD PRINT IT SEPARATELY
1. ONLY USE ONE PRINTER FOR ALL PARTS OF THE SAME MODEL - BE SURE TO LET US KNOW!
2. IF YOU ARE MAKING INTERLOCKING PIECES, TEST FOR FITMENT USING SMALL TEST PRINTS FIRST
1. 3D PRINTS COST 10CENTS PER GRAM - THE AVERAGE PRICE IS AROUND $8 FOR A MEDIUM MODEL
2. PAYMENT CAN BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR BAC PRINTING ACCOUNT OR BE MADE IN CASH
FILE SETUP TIPS
1
SIZE AND ORIENTATION:
2
GEOMETRY - BASICS:
3
GEOMETRY - OVERHANGS AND SLOPED SURFACES:
4
MODELING SOFTWARE:
5
1. MAKE SURE YOU SCALED MODEL FITS INSIDE THE MAKERBOT (10.5” x 6” x 6”)
2. MAKE SURE YOUR MODEL “SITS FLAT” ON THE C-PLANE - THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!
3. IF POSSIBLE, ORIENT THE MODEL SO THE MOST SUPPORTIVE SIDE IS FACIING DOWN
4. SCALE YOUR MODEL TO PRINT-SIZE BEFORE EXPORTING THE STL OR OBJ (it needs to be in inches or millimeters - millimeters preferred)
1. 3D PRINTERS CAN’T MAKE ZERO-THICKNESS PLANES - EVERYTHING NEEDS A THICKNESS
2. “OPEN” SHAPES ARE OK, BUT THEY NEED WALL THICKNESS - WE RECOMMEND .5MM MINIMUM THICKNESS
3. MODELS SHOULD BE “WATER TIGHT” - IF IT IS NOT WATER TIGHT, IT IS NOT SOLID, AND IT WON’T PRINT WELL
4. CLEAN UP COINCIDENT GEOMETRY - DON’T HAVE SHAPES INSIDE OF OTHER SHAPES
1. THE MAKERBOTS BUILD UP LAYER-BY-LAYER AND CAN NOT PRINT IN MID-AIR
2. CANTILEVERS WILL NEED SUPPORT MATERIAL OR MAY BE PRINTED SIDEWAYS OR UPSIDE DOWN
3. IF THERE IS A PART OF THE MODEL THAT “HANGS DOWN” IT WILL NEED SUPPORTS OR WILL NOT PRINT
1. RHINO IS RECOMMENDED. SKETCHUP CAN WORK, BUT NEEDS CAREFUL ATTENTION TO SURFACES
2. REVIT IS VERY MUCH NOT RECOMMENDED
3. AUTOCAD 3D IS ALSO NOT RECOMMENED, BUT CAN WORK OK.
MODEL CLEAN UP:
1. SURFACES NEED TO BE ORIENTED CORRECTLY - TO THE “OUTSIDE” OF THE MODEL
2. BE MINDFUL OF, AND REMOVE FROM THE PRINTING MODEL, GEOMETRY THAT INTERSECTS OTHER GEOMETRY
3. CONSIDER REMOVING VERY SMALL GEOMETRY FOR SMALL-SCALE BUILDINGS - DOOR HANDLES, MULLIONS, ETC.
3D PRINTING PROCESS
1
DEVELOP A
CLEAN/CLOSED
MODEL FOR
PRINTING
SCALED TO
PRINT SIZE
10.5”X6”X6”
MAXIMUM
2
FROM:
RHINO
SKETCHUP
ETC
EXPORT AS
*.STL
or
*.OBJ
STUDENT
RESPONSIBILITY
3
IN THE CODER LAB
OPEN
MAKERBOT
DESKTOP
4
ADJUST PARAMETERS
SCALE
POSITION
ORIENTATION
5
IMPORT / ADD
CODER STAFF
WILL REVIEW
THEN
EXPORT TO
*.STL
or
*.OBJ
*.X3G
to
T:\TechCourses\3dPrint Files
CODER PRINTS
MAKERBOT DESKTOP OVERVIEW
MAKERBOT DESKTOP : THE SOFTWARE USED TO POSITION/ROTATE/SCALE/EXPORT
THE BED:
THE PRINT AREA OF THE MAKERBOT - 10.5” x 6” x 6”
ADD FILE:
Use to import an STL or OBJ file to the print job
CHANGE VIEW:
LOOK AT THE MODEL FROM THE TOP, SIDE OR FRONT
ADD FILE
EXPORT FILE
CHANGE VIEW
POSITION
Z = 6 inches (152.4mm)
ROTATE:
CHANGE THE ORIENTATION OF THE MODEL IN X,Y,
AND/OR Z AXIS
ROTATE
SCALE:
CHANGE THE SIZE OF THE MODEL - IN MILLIMETERS
THE BED
SCALE
POSITION:
CHANGE THE MODEL’S POSITION ON THE PRINTING
SURFACE - WHERE IT WILL BE PRINTED
EXPORT:
SELECT PRINTER SETTINGS AND SAVE THE MODEL AS
AN X3G FILE FOR PRINTING
X = 10.5
Y= 6 inch
es (152.4
mm)
inches (2
66.7mm
)
MAKERBOT DESKTOP ORIENTING
ORIENT: FOR FASTER and MORE STABLE PRINTING
ADDING FILES
Click the ADD FILE button and select an appropriate
STL or OBJ file
To print multiple parts in the same job, you can
continue adding STL/OBJ files, as long as they all fit
without touching.
ORIENTING FOR BEST PRINT
(double click on the button to expand options)
MOVE:
Use the MOVE tool to locate all parts as close to the
center of the bed as possible.
TURN:
Use the TURN tool to rotate the objects for the best
orientation (see example on page X)
SCALE:
If your model is going to take a LONG TIME (see
checking print time on page Y), and doesn’t need to be
a specific size, you can - and should - scale it down.
MAKERBOT DESKTOP SETTINGS
SETTINGS: CHECK FOR FLATNESS AND INTEGRITY
SETTTINGS SELECTION
Click the SETTINGS button
RAFTS / SUPPORTS:
ALWAYS TURN ON RAFTS AND SUPPORTS TO
PREVIEW FOR POSSIBLE TROUBLE SPOTS.
SETTINGS
MATERIAL:
MakerBot PLA is the ONLY MATERIAL availalble
RESOLUTION:
ALWAYS choose STANDARD
CLICK SAVE SETTINGS when done
MAKERWARE PREVIEW
PREVIEW: FOR WEIGHT, TIME, AND POSSIBLE ERRORS
PREVIEWING TIME, WEIGHT, & PROBLEMS
Click the EXPORT PRINT FILE button
ESTIMATED PRINT TIME and WEIGHT:
These will be displyed in the “Export” pop-up box.
EXPORT
PRINT PREVIEW:
Click the PRINT PREVIEW link to see a visual preview of
the print job. You should be looking for:
TESTING FOR FLATNESS ON THE PRINT BED:
Rafts should be complete and under ALL SURFACES
that should be touching the print bed.
TESTING FOR FLOATING:
The Makerbot software will add SUPPORTS where
it thinks they are necessary. Generally, arched (self
supporting structures) will be ok without supports, but
may get a bit Supports can be difficult to remove. If
you can orient or split up your model so that they are
not needed, that would be recommended.
MAKERWARE PREVIEW
PREVIEW: FOR WEIGHT, TIME, AND POSSIBLE ERRORS
View in Makerbot Desktop
PREVIEWING TIME, WEIGHT, & PROBLEMS
Click the EXPORT PRINT FILE button
PREVIEW WINDOW
ESTIMATED PRINT TIME and WEIGHT:
These are also listed in the preview window.
EXPORT
PRINT PREVIEW:
Click the PRINT PREVIEW link to see a visual preview of
the print job. You should be looking for:
TESTING FOR FLATNESS ON THE PRINT BED:
RAFTS should be complete and under ALL SURFACES
that should be touching the print bed.
TESTING FOR FLOATING:
The Makerbot software will add SUPPORTS where
it thinks they are necessary. Generally, arched (self
supporting structures) will be ok without supports, but
may get a bit Supports can be difficult to remove. If
you can orient or split up your model so that they are
not needed, that would be recommended.
IN THIS EXAMPLE:
We see that all four “feet” have rafts - GOOD! This
means the model is FLAT ON THE BED
We see that the center of the arch has supports - this
means that without supports, it may print a bit roughly
on the bottom of the arch.
LEAVE RAFTS ON FOR OBJECTS WITH MINIMAL
SURFACE AREA TOUCHING THE PRINT BED.
MAKERWARE EXPORTING
EXPORTING : SAVE BOTH THE PRINT JOB AND THE MAKERBOT “THING” FILE
EXPORT THE PRINT JOB
After verifying flatness, and no unsupported
overhangs, click the EXPORT NOW button in the
EXPORT WINDOW
EXPORT THE FILE TO:
t:\tech_courses\3D_PrintFiles
NAMING CONVENTIONS
•
•
The files should be 12 characters or less.
The file name should start with your first
and last initials.
• The rest of the file name should be specific
to THAT PARTICULAR PRINT FILE.
• YOUR FILE should have an “.x3g” extension,
if it does not, THE WRONG DEVICE IS
SELECTED - make sure that Makerbot 2
(not 2x) is selected as the print device.
THIS HELPS TO AVOID CONFUSION AND ENSURES
THAT WE PRINT WHAT YOU WANT PRINTED!!!
AFTER EXPORTING, PLEASE ALSO save a save a
“.thing” file to the 3D_PrintFiles folder also. This
will help us if there are problems printing your
file.
You should end up saving two files to the “3D_
PrintFiles” folder: e.g.
FL_ARCH.x3g
FL_ARCH.thing
AFTER saving the files, fill out the job form!
FILL OUT THE JOB FORM
THE JOB FORM IS USED BY CODER TO EFFECTIVELY PRINT AND TRACK YOUR JOB.
FILLING OUT THE JOB FORM
CODER\\MAKERNOTES
0551-0575
JOB
DATE
NAME
FILENAME
COLOR
EST WT/TIME
STATUS
WT/TIME
PAID
#
MM/DD
First Name and Last Name
____________
Bk/Wh/Cl
Gr/Hr
3
{8;{
Gr/Hr
3
{8;{
0551
0552
0553
PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY!
JOB #
Make note of the JOB # as online job tracking will be
available soon.
DATE
Enter the MONTH and DATE your job is submitted
e.g. 12/08
0554
0555
0556
0557
NAME
Enter your name as it is known to the BAC
The same one you LOG IN to the computers with.
0558
0559
0560
0561
COLOR
CHOOSE BLACK, WHITE, or CLEAR
This is the color you want your print to be.
0562
0563
0564
0565
0566
ONLY ONE COLOR PER PRINT JOB.
IF you wan the same FILE printed in MULTIPLE
COLORS, you need to SUBMIT MULTIPLE JOBS.
0567
0568
0569
0570
EST WT/TIME
Enter the Weight and TIME that the MAKERBOT
DESKTOP SOFTWARE gave you when EXPORTING or
PREVIEWING your File.
0571
0572
0573
0574
0575
STATUS KEY:
3
Print Strarted: {Print Failed (file): 8Print Failed (machine): ;Print Complete: {
PAID KEY:
3
NOT CHARGED: {Insufficient Funds: 8No Charge (Bad Print): ;PAID IN FULL: {
STATUS, WT/TIME, and PAID are for CODER USE ONLY
MAKERBOT DESKTOP PROBLEMS
TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR PRINT JOB SO IT WILL BE MORE SUCCESSFUL
OBJECT NOT FLAT ON BED
If the PART or PARTS are not flat on the bed, they will
not print successfully.
Most often this occurs when one small piece of the
model is projecting lower than the rest.
USE RAFTS in preview mode to determine if the whole
job is on the bed.
The ARCHES on the RIGHT ARE FLAT ON THE BED
THE ARCHES on the LEFT ARE FLOATING and will FAIL
TO PRINT
IF PARTS OF YOUR PRINT ARE FOUND TO BE
FLOATING WHEN WE ATTEMPT TO PRINT, WE WILL
CANCEL THE PRINT JOB AND MARK IT AS A BAD FILE.
FLOATING
ON THE BED
BAD PROBLEMS #1
UNSUPPORTED OVERHANGS : THE BANE OF FDM PRINTING
UNSUPPORTED OVERHANGS
UNSUPPORTED OVERHANGS PRINT LIKE
SPAGHETTI. EITHER SECTION YOUR MODEL
AND ORIENT THE SECTIONS SO THAT
THERE ARE NO OVERHANGS, OR TURN ON
SUPPORTS IN THE EXPORT PROCESS
UNSUPPORTED
OVERHANGS
ONE MODEL MANY PIECES
OFTEN, THE CLEANEST PRODUCTION COMES
FROM PRINTING YOUR MODEL IN PIECES AND
GLUING THEM TOGETHER AFTERWARDS
ORIENT FOR SUCCESS
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE “RIGHT SIDE UP.”
SOMETIMES A COMPLETE MODEL CAN
BE PRINTED WITH GOOD RESULTS BY
REORIENTING IT. YOU CAN ALSO REORIENT TO
MINIMIZE SUPPORT MATERIAL
GOOD SOLUTIONS #1
DIVIDE AND CONQUER
SCALE THE MODEL THEN SPLIT IT INTO
PRINTABLE PARTS
LAY ALL THE PIECES FLAT AND ON THE
SAME PLANE
BAD PROBLEMS #2
REVIT : IS NOT A GOOD TOOL FOR EXPORTING
REVIT IS A BIM/DOCUMENTATION TOOL NOT A MODELING TOOL
CAN YOU MAKE AMAZING 3D MODELS IN
REVIT? YES! ARE THEY GOOD FOR EXPORTING
TO THE 3D PRINTER? NOPE!
WHY IS REVIT NOT RECOMMENDED?
REVIT MODELS EACH OBJECT - THE FLOORS,
WALLS, WINDOWS, MULLIONS, ETC. AS
INDIVIDUAL CLOSED PIECES. SOMETIMES
THEY AREN’T EVEN CLOSED. WHEN IT
EXPORTS AN STL OR OBJ FILE, TRANSLATION
ERRORS CAUSE BAD GEOMETRY TO BE
PASSED TO THE 3D PRINTERS.
OPEN
GEOMETRY
EVEN WHEN THE GEOMETRY IS GOOD, IT IS
STILL IN PIECES, SO OBJECTS THAT SHOULD
BE SOLID - LIKE A CUBE MAKE OF WALLS,
FLOOR, AND CEILING - ARE ACTUALLY
HOLLOW. THIS RESULTS IN PRINTING
FAILURES.
RECOMMENDATIONS
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO MODEL IN REVIT,
THE BEST WAY TO GET A USABLE OBJECT IS
TO EXPORT AS A DWG, IMPORT THAT DWG IN
RHINO. THEN DELETE EXTRA SURFACES AND
CLOSE UP ANY HOLES.
GOOD SOLUTIONS #2
FOR REVIT, THERE ARE NO EASY SOLUTIONS AT THIS TIME.

MAKERBOT STRATEGIES
SPLIT IT UP
MAKERBOT STRATEGIES
SPLIT IT UP
MAKERBOT STRATEGIES
SPLIT IT UP
MAKERBOT STRATEGIES
OVERHANGS
MAKERBOT STRATEGIES
OVERHANGS
MAKERBOT STRATEGIES
OVERHANGS
MAKERBOT STRATEGIES
OVERHANGS
MAKERBOT STRATEGIES
OVERHANGS
MAKERBOT STRATEGIES
TOGETHER IS BETTER
MAKERBOT STRATEGIES
TOGETHER IS BETTER