Hobby Level 3D Printing

Constructive "Maker" Fun

Algot Runeman

A presentation for the
Boston Linux/Unix Usergroup on November 15, 2017

Using S5: Simple Standards-Based Slide Show System

The Prize Entry

Lulzbot even sent a kilogram reel of PLA!

Selected Projects

Fused Filament Fabrication

• Rep-Rap - open source hardware with commercial version - kits+
• 2.85 mm filament for the Lulzbot Mini
• 1.75 mm is the other common diameter
• Many Different Plastics
• PLA - polylactic acid - $25 per Kg reel - many colors - easy to use - eco friendly
• ABS - more durable, more expensive
• PVC - polyvinyl chloride
• Nylon - (not for stockings!)
• ...each material has it's own characteristics
• AND MORE - flexible plastic, wood fill, metal fill, electrically conductive, magnetic...

Design Software

OpenSCAD "Open Ess CAD"

- Simple 3D programming elements - Reusable modules - described as "parametric"

Blender - more like "sculpting" - I am not there yet.

Tinkercad - online (have not tried it)

AutoCAD - expensive and proprietary (nope)

...others...(audience?)

Coding

Experience with almost any software will make it easy.

// This is comment style in OpenSCAD
// curly brackets apply a function to many commands.
hull(){ 
    translate([25,0,0]) // indent not required but helpful when reading
    cylinder(thick,3,3); // some commands need to be completed with semi-colon
    translate([0,25,0])
    cylinder(thick,3,3);
    translate([0,-25,0])
    cylinder(thick,3,3);
    translate([-25,0,0])
    cylinder(thick,3,3);    
} // end hull

File Formats

Different Purposes

file.SCAD - (solid CAD) easily modified using solid cad program like OpenSCAD

file.STL - (stereolithograph) - read by the printer program. Distributed for printing.

file.DXF - (design exchange format) - used by AutoCAD though the format is relatively open

file.SVG - (scalable vector graphics) - Inkscape can be used to export paths (see fob Tux)

Slicer/Printer software

The printer needs software that supplies thin (0.2mm) layers which need to be efficiently printed, one on top of another, usually also determining things like "infill".

OpenSCAD saves to both file.scad and file.stl formats.

Cura - open source - tweaked by printer companies (like Lulzbot)

slic3r - open source

Article: https://all3dp.com/1/best-3d-slicer-software-3d-printer/"

Support

some print jobs require support.

Tools

These have helped

Final Touches

Acrylic hobby paints stick well to the PLA though they do not give a shiny finish. Coat with gloss finish like Liquitex™

"Helping Hands" are nice. Superglue, paper towels and wax paper, have worked well for me.

My shaky hands have not helped.

Door Prize

Tux was an Inkscape export.

Skyline Design

Creating a polygon

That's IT!

Of course, there's endlessly more to explore and do, years of fun ahead of me.

Live Look-in
    - User and pwd: guest/guest
    - I recommend "Server Push Mode" for desktop viewing.

Questions...

Discussion...

Time