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3D Printing as a Hobby

How to get started, and how to fuel the inevitable addiction

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See these slides: https://www.hoffman.engineering/barcamp/

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Who am I?

I am Christopher Hoffman!

  • 3D Printing and CAD Enthusiast
  • Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering
  • Software Developer for DSS Inc
  • Hoffman Engineering - Youtube

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Most importantly, I am Addicted to 3D Printing

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How does 3D Printing Work?

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How 3D Printers Work

Most common type of 3D printers are Cartesian 3D printers.

  • Move in x, y, and z axes independently.

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How 3D Printers Work

Other common printers are Delta 3D printers.

  • 3 motors coordinate to move the print head.

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How 3D Printers Work

  • 3D Printers are just high-tech hot glue guns
  • The Extruder motor pushes a noodle of plastic filament through a hotend.
  • The molten plastic is deposited layer by layer, until the final object is completed

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How 3D Printers Work

  • This is FDM, or Fused Deposition Modeling
  • Most common form of hobbyist 3D printing
  • Inexpensive machines, cheap materials, little-to-no hassle

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Other types of printing

SLA (Stereolithography Apparatus)

  • Uses a light-sensitive liquid resin
  • Resin is cured by laser
  • Built layer-by-layer

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  • Not as common, more expensive machines and material, and the resin is a pain to deal with.

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3D Model to 3D Print - Slicer does the work

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Layer-by-layer

  • Layer Height affect resolution.
  • 0.3 mm to 0.1mm are standard.
  • Thicker layers mean quicker print times
  • Thinner layers mean more detail

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Parts are not solid - Infill Percentage

  • To save on plastic used, parts are printed with Infill
  • Low density:
    • Print faster
    • Less Material
    • Not as strong
  • High Density:
    • Slower
    • More Material
    • Higher Strength

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What can you make with it?

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Everything!

  • Functional parts
  • Art
  • Robotics
  • Costume Props
  • Replacement parts
  • Even parts for you own 3D Printer!

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How to get started

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First you need a 3D Printer!

  • Back in 2009, the Makerbot Cupcake CNC was all the rage
  • Debuted at $2500
  • It sparked the Hobbyist 3D printer scene

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  • Prices have dropped. Dramatically.

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First you need a 3D Printer

  • Now days, you can buy a fully-assembled printer for $200, shipped to you in 2 days.

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  • Prices have dropped non-stop the last few years.

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Recommendations - Entry-level

Pre-assembled

Monoprice Maker Select Mini - $200

Semi-assembled

Ender 3 Pro - $250

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Recommendations - Mid-tier

Pre-assembled

Creality CR-10 - $400

Semi-assembled

TEVO Tornado - $300

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Recommendations - High End

Reliable

Original Prusa Mk3 - $750/999

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Now you need 3D Models

  • Model your own!
    • Blender
    • Fusion 360
    • Onshape
    • TinkerCAD
    • Any other CAD/Modeling Program
  • Use other’s premade models
    • Thingiverse.com
      • A website with hundreds of thousands of free 3D printable models

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Meet others in the Tampa Community!

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Hillsborough County Public Library

  • Check your local library!
    • Many libraries offer 3D printing services
    • https://hcplc.org/services/hive

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  • HCPLC offers 3D printing classes
    • 3-D Printing Open House
      • 10/14/2019 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Ghostly 3D Printing
      • 10/19/2019 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

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Tampa Hackerspace

  • A non-profit community workshop and creative space
  • Community Equipment:
    • Multiple 3D printers, laser cutter, CNC router, Lathes, Mills, Sewing Machines, Electronics workstations, welders, and much, much more.
  • Members get 24/7 access to all of it, for only $50 a month
  • Open House every Tuesday at 7pm
    • Tampa’s Westshore business district, just south of Tampa International Airport.
    • https://tampahackerspace.com

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Tampa Hackerspace

  • 3D Printer Orientation
    • Learn basics of 3D printing and how to operate the hackerspace’s Delta Printer
    • Thursday, October 17, 2019
    • Free

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  • Introduction to Fusion 360
    • Learn basics of Computer Aided Design (CAD)
    • Wednesday, October 9, 2019
    • Members $10; non-members $20

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In Summary

  • Great time to join the hobby
  • Tampa is a great place for 3D Printing Hobbyists!

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  • I’m Christopher Hoffman, operator of Hoffman Engineering youtube channel.
  • 3D Printing is amazing and addictive