3. 3D Impression#
Week’s introduction#
We started the week with an introduction to the 3D printer available at school and its slicer.
3D Printing#
3D printing is the process of creating three-dimensional objects from a digital model. In traditional manufacturing, material is typically
subtracted from a larger piece to create the desired shape.
In contrast, 3D printing builds an object layer by layer, adding material until the final product is formed.
There are several 3D printing types using different technologies and diverse processes. Here are the top 3 most used types:
1. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF): This is one of the most widely used 3D printing technologies.
It involves melting a thermoplastic filament and depositing it layer by layer to create the object. FFF is mostly used for rapid prototyping, producing concept models,
and creating functional parts. It is popular in the desktop 3D printer market due to its affordability
2. Stereolithography (SLA): SLA uses a liquid resin that is cured layer by layer using ultraviolet light. It produces high-resolution and detailed prints.
It is often used for applications that require high detail and accuracy, such as creating intricate prototypes, dental models and jewelry.
3. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): SLS uses a laser to sinter (heat and fuse) powdered materials, typically polymers or metals,
layer by layer to create a 3D object. its versatility in working with various materials, making it suitable for producing functional prototypes, end-use parts, and even complex geometries that would be challenging with other methods.
The 3D printing process takes multiple steps:
Creating The 3D Model#
As we’ve seen before in the second module, we created our 3D model, but it wasn’t totally perfect, so I had to upgrade it a little bit and specially the screw part
since it was too thin to be printed. After a 4-hour-long search, I found this great new approach to screw threads into a bunch of stacked
discs to create a functional screw. (Visit Alex’s website for all the work and mathematics behind this approach)
After replacing the old screw with the new one, I had to reduce the size of the part that goes inside the door since it was too big.
Slicing#
After crating your 3D model, you need to communicate it with the 3D printer using the Slicer. Each 3D printer has its own slicer that translates the
model into instructions for the machine.
1. First, it takes the digital model as an .stl or .obj file
2. Slice the model into 2D layers that stack on each other
3. Generate the tool-paths that the 3D printer’s nozzle or laser will follow to deposit or solidify the material, defining the specific movements and coordinates for the 3D printer during the printing process.
4. Adjust the settings of the printing; infill, (height, length, depth), quality and speed, etc.)
5. Add Support Structures in cases where an object has overhangs, the slicer can automatically generate support structures to provide stability during printing and are removed in post-processing.
6. Generate G-code file; a set of instructions in a machine-readable language that the 3D printer understands. It Also contains information about the movements of the printer’s motors, the speed of the fans and the temperature of the extruder and bed
Given that our lab uses Prusa i3 MK3s 0.40 mm, we have to install the PrusaSlicer.
After launching the slicer, we have to choose the 3D printer’s model.
We load our STL file and then choose the settings desired
All that is left now is to slice our piece and export it as a G-code on our SD card
Printing#
The Prusa i3 MK3s printing medium is an SD card. So make sure to load your SD card, Go to “Print form SD card” and load your file, then wait for the magic to happen.
For a starter, I tested my new screw thread design with a small screw and a fastner of 2 centimeters.
After a test, it seemed to work.
So I had to print the real sized version of my model into two pieces.
The door part: Which came out perfectly
