Intro to 3D Printing

Need to Know: For Your Booking

Staff will be available to help you browse models and set up your prints on the 3D printers. However, bookings are only for time on our equipment and NOT a 1-on-1 class. There is only one staff person to assist all customers using the space, so your patience is appreciated. 

3D prints cost $0.10/gram of filament (plastic thread) used. An estimate for time and cost is available before every print.

To make the most of your time, we recommend browsing 3D models ahead of time to have an idea of what you’d like to print. You do not have to bring the 3D printer files with you – you can bring a screenshot or write down the title to find on our computers.

Finding 3D Print Files

Most of the 3D models printed in the Makerspace are free, pre-made files found on websites like Printables, Makerworld, or Thingiverse.

Some things to keep in mind for finding good files:

• Look for real life photos of the finished 3D print. Not everything that looks good as a computer-generated or AI model will print well in real life.
• See what the ratings and comments say from people who have tried printing it before.
• Keep an eye on the overall size. We generally can’t print much bigger than the volume of a large apple in one 3D printer booking. That can be stretched any which way or divided up over a few smaller prints, but we cannot do overly large 3D prints at the Makerspace.
• 3D prints with multiple colours take longer. Adding even just 1 or 2 colours can double print time.
• If a file lists an estimated time, it might not be accurate for our printers. There are lots of different models and brands. Some run faster and slower than our printers.
• Check the copyright. Most are free for personal use.

Advanced Learning: 3D Printing & Modelling

3D printing is what we call “additive” printing. This means that the machine starts on the print bed and will print hundreds of different layers from the print bed upward. Models that have overhangs of more than 45 degrees will not print very well and may require supports. Models that have objects floating in space will not print at all without supports.

Familiarity with the Prusa Slicer Software

Patrons who want to prepare their 3D prints in advance on their home computer to save time using the Makerspace printer may wish to download and configure the Prusaslicer software from Prusa3d.com.

• General settings to get you started:
  • Run the configuration wizard
  • select the Prusa MK4 with Input Shaper
• You can use the software to “cut” models into multiple pieces to help with printing and there are a lot of other functions available. Just ask the Makerspace staff if something is possible!
• This software may also suggest supports when your model design is in danger of collapse without them. These supports can be removed after printing.
• Here is a great outline with more detailed information for those just starting out using the 3D Printer in our Makerspace: Beginner’s Guide to Prusa MK4

Changing the filament

Before starting, ensure that the correct filament is loaded:

• Press the knob on the Prusa printer to get into the menu.
• If there is filament in the printer scroll to “Unload Filament” and then press the knob to select that fuction and scroll to PLA to select the type of filament. When the device heats to the proper temperature it will ask you to remove the filament. It is safe to do so at that time.
• If there isn’t any filament in the printer or if you have completed the step above to remove filament you will now need to put filament in. Press the knob to get into the menu. Select “Load Filament” and then select PLA. When the nozzle reaches the correct temperature the computer will beep and tell you to add the filament.
• Follow the prompts until filament is correctly loaded.
• If you have problems with this step, please contact Makerspace staff.

Cleaning the print bed

Ensuring that the print bed is clean before each print is crucial to having the first layer of your model to stick to the plate. Oils, dirt, and past prints can cause the surface to lose its adhesion and increase the chance of your print to fail. Please don’t hesitate to speak to Makerspace Staff if the print bed is not clean and they will give you the materials to clean it.

Beginning your first print

Before starting on your first print, getting the right settings and your first layer to print is necessary for a successful project. From our own testing, a good starting point to start your print is with the following settings:

• Bed Temperature on the first print: 60-65 C
• Elephant footing compensation: 0.5
• Main temperature: 220-230. After the first layer, temperature should be >= 230
• Flow: Set it to 150 for the first layer, <100 for the rest

TinkerCad Tutorial

A simple and easy way to become familiar with 3D printing software is to try the following 3D model tutorial made by Tinkercad. Tinkercad is a free online 3D modelling software from Autodesk that is great for beginner and hobbyist designers. Doing this fast and simple print will help prepare you to move on to your own designs. This is also a good time to check on the quality of the print and make adjustments as necessary. Issues like warping and ghosting should be addressed here so that your future prints turn out well.

1. Start the luggage tag tutorial: https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/overview/O0XHVHMIXGFO1D6;collectionId=O2C1PXBIQ2KHCOD
   1. Go through the lessons
   2. In case you get stuck: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AvKl8mm3IQSsecpq2LU-oE1PaJLviQlEFA9rpX-VasE/edit?usp=sharing
   3. Remember to export your model as an STL file
   4. You can always ask Makerspace staff to look at your model
2. Print out your tag that you made

What if something goes wrong?

• Making a mistake is a great way to learn something! However, if there is smoke or fire please immediately alert staff.
• If there is any kind of injury please alert staff.
• 3D prints often fail in the first few layers, plan to stick around for about 30 minutes to get your print started.
• Other things that can go wrong are minor but still annoying we recommend the following resources to help fix the most common printing problems:
  • https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/warping_2011
  • https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/layer-shifting_2020
  • https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/extrusion-problems-prevention_2027
  • https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/watertight-prints_112324
  • https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/the-benchy-hull-line_124745
  • https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/ghosting_1801
  • https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/poor-bridging_1802
• Makerspace staff are here to help!

Some Other Resources

• Tinkercad – Free three dimensional design program from Autodesk. Make sure you check out their tutorials under “learn” section to get started.
• Blender – The most powerful open-source 3D modeling software on the market. If you’re serious about 3D modeling, this is your program.
• Fusion 360 – Fusion 360 is Autodesk’s 3D design software and is available on our Makerspace computers. This software is good for advanced users and manufacturing design.