Course contents

• Different type of printers
• What is a slicer?
• Best practices
• Where to get 3D-Models
• How to make them yourself

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FDM �Fused Deposition Modeling

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• The print is created by heating up �thermoplastic material and then �“drawing” it layer by layer �onto the print-plate
• Advantages:
• Simple and cheap process
• Widely used
• …
• Disadvantages:
• Visible layers and seams
• …

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SLA �Stereolithograhpy printing

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• The print is created by using UV-Light to�harden the resin at the desired area and�then continue with the next layer
• Advantages:
• High-fidelity prints
• No need for infill structure, more durable
• …
• Disadvantages:
• More difficult to set up
• Will kill you(probably)

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Materials

• Common Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
• PLA - Polymelkesyre
• Print Temp: 180°C – 230°C
• Deformers at temperatures above 60°C
• PETG - Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-modified
• Print Temp: 200-250 °C
• Deformers at temperatures over 90°C
• More flexible than PLA
• ABS - Akrylnitril-butadien-styren
• More durable than PETG and PLA but produces,
• Poisonous fumes while printing.
• TPU - thermoplastic polyurethan
• Very flexible material

The suitable profile for each material must be set in the Slicer!

Slicer and gcode

• The Slicer converts the model information into a path (gcode) that the printer can follow
• Generates adhesion support (Brim, Raft, …)
• Generates support-structure
• Common Slicer-Software:

Cura-Slicer, PrusaSlicer,�BambuLab-Studio, …

• Additional Features
• Mirroring, Resizing
• Rotating, …

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Best Practice

• Avoid overhang structure with more than 50°
• Avoid longer distances to bridge
• Usually around 2cm is fine
• Only print straight bridges
• If possible design for no need of support structure
• Split the model in multiple parts
• Try rotating
• Avoid sharp edges that start mid air

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(Design)

Support yes/no?

Best Practice

• The layer height determines the fidelity of your print.
• For objects containing mostly flat surfaces 0.2 is best.

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(Profil)

• Infill is used to fill the inside of the structure
• High infill(>40%) takes too much time and is usually not necessary. Instead increase perimiter/shell count
• Keep in mind directional strength, which direction do you need the print to be strong?
• gyroid, grid/lines, honeycomb.

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Best Practice

• Raft, Brim and skirt are different types of adhesion support
• RAFT: brings the best support but is the hardest to remove. Use this for tall and brittle objects(dont)�
• BRIM: helps alot with adhesion for tall and low buildplate contact prints�
• SKIRT: the default. Just there to clean the nozzle.

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(Profil)

Best Practice

Common first layer defect due wrong distance between print-nozzle and print-plate

• Do Z-Axis calibration
• Adjust z-offset

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(Print)

To prevent Lifting corners:

• Clean print plate
• Use Brim or Raft in print settings
• Use glue stick to increase adhesion

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Where to find models?

• Free
• Thingiverse
• Thangs

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• Payed
• Shapeways
• Sketchfab

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Let’s try PrusaSlicer

Tools to create 3D-Models

• CAD (computer aided design)
• Blender
• Google Sketchup
• AutoCAD
• 3DS Max
• Maya
• Solidworks
• Fusion 360

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=> Export your model as .stl or .obj file and then � import it into the slicing software.

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Before you print!

• Check in Slicer:
• Desired Material is chosen
• amount of Filament needed
• Layer-height, Support,
• Check Printer:
• Read the rules!! 3D printing regler (OFFENTLIG)
• Printer is not reserved Hackerspace NTNU (hackerspace-ntnu.no)
• Material loaded in printer fits your settings
• Printer has enough material

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Wait for the first layer to finish, before you leave the printer alone!

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