3D PRINTING

Introduction to 3D Printing
1. Principles
& Hardware
3D PRINTING MAIN STEPS

3D Modeling Export to STL Slicing Export to Gcode Print

MOST COMMON 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES

FDM or FFF SLA SLS

Fused Deposition Modeling StereoLithogrAphy Selective Laser Sintering

https://formlabs.com/blog/fdm-vs-sla-vs-sls-how-to-choose-the-right-3d-printing-technology/
FDM (FUSED DEPOSITION MODELLING)

➔ A heated nozzle extrudes melted

plastic,
➔ Each layer is added on top of the
previous layer until the object is
complete
➔ Thinner layers give higher “resolution”
(model detail)
➔ Thicker layers reduce resolution, but
also reduce time!
PRINTING MATERIAL
Material for 3D printing

Types of filament:

➔ ABS
➔ PLA
➔ PLA mixed with
◆ Wood
◆ Metal
◆ Brick
➔ Flexible PLA
➔ Conductive PLA
➔ ...
SLA PRINTING
➔ SLA printing involves curing
resin with a Laser, one layer
after the other.
➔ Mirrors guide the path of
the laser, and trace the
paths to complete the layer
➔ Resin solidifies on the bed
or previous layers, is given
some time to aerate.
➔ Process continues to the
next layer
DIFFERENT KIND OF RESINS FOR SLA

See Formlabs-Form-2-materials.jpg
 SLS PRINTING

SLS functions similarly to SLA, but

the laser fuses powder into a solid
layers instead of curing liquid resin.

laser-sintering-process-layer-powder-work-area.jpg
WHICH PRINTER TO CHOOSE FOR YOUR PROJECT ?
According to your project and the role of the
part you are printing :

❏ Mechanical
❏ Artistic
❏ Aesthetic

You may choose a different printing method.

Cost is also a deciding factor as much as the

the state of development you are at :

Are you still prototyping? are you producing

the final piece? etc.

3d-printerselectronics-materials-and-high-quality-prints-7-638.jpg
2. Modeling
& Hardware
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SOFTWARE FOR YOUR PROJECT

What software is used for 3D

modeling? And what are the
specific applications.

https://youtu.be/JzNdvZLoKAI

From Matter-Hackers Youtube Channel.

VIDEO - FDM DESIGN TIPS - GETTING STARTED
Tips to help you design and print
your own parts from Teaching
Tech‘s Youtube Channel.

https://youtu.be/QdvSzXByi_g
VIDEO - FDM DESIGN TIPS FOR MECHANICAL
PARTS
Prevent warping and mis-prints,
orientate your model so the layers
best suit its structural requirement

https://youtu.be/mziT7KV-fRI

From Christoph Laimer Youtube

Channel.
SLA DESIGN TIPS

A successful 3D print starts from its modeling.

According to the technique and intention, it may be
better to pay attention to certain details.

Here are some tips from Form Lab, regarding design

for SLA printing:

Plenty of tips on Formlabs website

Formlabs designing guide - PDF

EXPORT YOUR MODEL AS AN ‘STL’ OR AN ‘OBJ’
‘.STL’ is a file format, containing meshes or shapes
for describing the surfaces of 3D objects

In 3D printing, an ‘.STL’ file (or similar) is required for

our next step : Slicing

Most of the time, you do not directly edit the STL,

but you might export it from another program.

Let’s say an .STL is like a .JPG. When you work on

your picture with Photoshop you are working with a
.PSD, if you work with Gimp you work on a .XCF, but
when you want to publish, share, of look at your
picture you export a .JPG.
3. Exercise:
Exploring 3D modeling
EXERCICE - DESIGN A 3D PART
1 - Sign up to TinkerCad

2 - Copy and edit this project

3 - Play around and follow instruction

4 - Export your object, and your object only

(grouping all the part of your object and
selecting it) as an .stl

https://www.tinkercad.com/things/6TODt
Wdarj3
4. Slicing your 3D model
WHAT IS THE “SLICING” STEP ?
➔ To get from a 3D model to a 3D printed object
you need to slice it.
➔ Slice = Cut the object in thin layer stacked on top
of each other
➔ This step will generate a list of precise instruction
the 3D printer can read and execute
➔ This is called G-Code
➔ The G-Code is what you need to upload to the 3D
printer in order to get the job done
SOFTWARE, 3D PRINTERS AT FAB LAB LIMERICK
Different printers uses different software: please download and install the following
software.

3D printer Wasp 2040, 4070 Prusa i3 mk3 Form2

Ultimaker Cura PrusaSlicer PreForm

Software
Needs configuration Ready to use Ready to use
HOW TO SET UP CURA FOR THE WASP 2040
HOW TO SET UP CURA FOR THE WASP 2040
HOW TO SET UP CURA FOR THE WASP 2040
HOW TO SET UP CURA FOR THE WASP 2040
IMPORT YOUR MODEL INTO THE RELEVANT SLICER
VIDEO - INTRODUCTION TO FDM SLICING
This is how slicing works for FDM

Features are pretty similar in Cura and

PrusaSlicer

Take time to get familiar with the interface

We will slice object together on training day

https://youtu.be/8sxlyuN6xso

From Advanced engineering

technologies Youtube Channel.
VIDEO - SLICING FOR THE FORMLAB/FORM2

Video available on Formlab website:

➔ Starting a print
➔ From Design to 3D Print: The
Form 3 Workflow in Five Minutes
AFTER SLICING, EXPORT A G-CODE FILE

The result is a G-code file the printer

will read and execute.

You need to “export G-code” as

indicated
5. Exercise
Slicing your .STL model
EXERCISE
Slice the object you made on the
previous exercise (back in section
3), with the slicer of your choice

Play with the different parameters

(Scale, Layer height, Infill %), and
see the expected print time, and
material requirements.

Export your G-code

Here is a short article explaining

the main 3D printing parameters
6. Printing
SELECT YOUR FILE

➔ Send the Gcode file to the printer

sending it through WIFI or using a
SD card
➔ Select the File you want to print
➔ Press OK
FDM : WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE YOU START
Temperature of the nozzle - Is it the
right temperature for your filament?

Temperature of the bed - If the part

sticks to the bed adequately.

Watch over the first layer or so to check

nothing is going wrong
Wait
DONE !
VIDEO - BONUS 3D PRINTING TIPS

https://youtu.be/LvGKfevdf_Q

From The 3D Printing Zone Youtube

Channel.
7. Resources
Software
Online

https://www.tinkercad.com/

https://www.onshape.com

Offline

https://www.blender.org

https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/students-teachers-educators

https://www.rhino3d.com

https://www.sketchup.com
Downloads - Models, parts & scans from other
designers:

https://www.myminifactory.com

https://www.thingiverse.com

https://cults3d.com/en
 See you at the Fab Lab,
for the hands-on training!

Thank you
If you have any other questions try http://fablab.saul.ie/how - for various tutorials and other information