RUG/Pennsylvania/State College/3D printer instruction

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This page will describe the general procedures on how to use a 3D printer machine.

Computer Design of Objects

Design of objects need to be converted into STL files. STL, known as STereoLithography or Standard Tessellation Language, is a widely used file type for rapid prototyping and computer-aided manufacturing. It describes the suface geometry of a 3D object.

ReplicatorG

ReplicatorG

STL files should be loaded to ReplicatorG. You may ask yourself the following questions to determine if the orientation of the object needs adjustment.

Is the object centered?

Is the object laying flat on the surface? (no surfaces should be protruding into the -Z axis)

Is the object placed so that it eases the printing process? (e.g. minimum overhanging places)

Is the scale correct?

After adjustments are made, save the file.

Slic3r / Skeinforge

Slic3r
Skeinforge

Slic3r and Skeinforge are compter softwares you need to convert the STL files into Gcode (printing instructions for your 3D printer). It takes your object, cut it into multiple layers, and generates code for 3D printers to print it layer by layer.

Note that only Alpha and Beta use Skeinforge. All other machines use Slic3r.

In both softwares, you can change many parameters to tailor to your needs. The following are some changes you can make in Slic3r and Skeinforge.


Infill Density - How dense you would want each layer to be? (for a rigid object, 0.35-0.4 will be sufficient)

Solid Surface Thickness (layers) - Solid surface means the infill density is 1 (largest). The printer will print out the solid surfaces both at the beginning and at the end of the print.

Temperature - Changing the temperature of the the tip/bed in Gcode.

Layer Height - How high will the z-axis move after each layer.

Perimeter - How many times will the printer trace the perimeter of each layer.


After you are satisfied with the settings in Slic3r or Skeinforge, you can now generated the Gcodes.

In Slic3r, press "add" to select the STL file you need and "export" to generate Gcode.

In Skeinforge, press "Skeinforge" at the bottom left corner and choose the STL file you want.

Pronterface

pronterface

Pronterface is a user interface software that allows us to interact with the machine. To make sure the 3D printer is connected to the computer properly, take a look at the whiteboard location at the back of the classroom near the sink.

1) Select the correct "Port" and "Speed" in Pronterface. If they are not selected properly, the printer will fail to connect to the computer.

2) Load the Gcode you generated by clicking "Load File" in the upper left corner. A pessimistic estimated time of the print will be shown on the right column.

3) Click the yellow window at the center of pronterface and scroll up and down while holding "shift". You can see how the extruder tip will move in each layer print.

4) Click "File" and "Edit" to show the Gcode generated. Make sure the temperature shown in the M104 code (code for temperature of extruder tip) correspond to that written on the whiteboard. Depends on your preference, you can comment out the M109 code (set extruder temperature and wait) by adding ";". Save all changes.

5) Set the extruder temperature according to that written on the whiteboard. Click "Set". You can check the temperature by clicking "Check temp".

6) Move the extruder to the maximum -X and -Y by clicking on the navigation panel on the left. Increments of 1 should be chosen when moving the extruder. Stop until the extruder hit the endstops and stop moving.

7) By this time, the temperature of the tip should have reached your desired temperature. Clean off any excess filament oozing out from the tip. Lower the Z axis until it hit the endstop. (Note: Make sure the tip is not too far or close from the bed)

8) FINALLY, hit "Print"!!!