book

Mastering 3D Printing

by Joan Horvath

September 2014

Intermediate to advanced

244 pages

6h 43m

English

Apress

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What Is 3D Printing?Nature’s 3D PrintersHistorical Additive ManufacturingTypes of 3D PrintersThe Early Days of Robotic 3D PrintersThe RepRap MovementThe Rise of CrowdfundingEnabling TechnologiesThe ArduinoOpen Source Code RepositoriesA Case Study of Printer EvolutionSummary
Who Uses Consumer 3D Printers?Types of Filament-Based Consumer PrintersCartesian PrintersDeltabotsKits vs. Assembled Printers3D Printer Design ConsiderationsFilamentFrameBuild PlatformExtruder DesignMoving PartsControl ElectronicsMachine Tool or Computer Peripheral?Safety and VentilationSummary
Open Source InfrastructureGNU LicensesWikis, Forums, and Open Source RepositoriesOpen Source Pros and ConsMeeting the Open Source 3D-Printing CommunityThe Maker MovementMakerspaces and HackerspacesContributing to the Open Source CommunitySummary
What Makes A Model Printable on A 3D Printer?3D Model File FormatsWhat Does “Watertight and Manifold” Mean?Scanning a ModelConsumer-Level 3D ScannersCT ScannersDownloading and Modifying Existing ModelsModels of Everyday ThingsSpecialized DatabasesCreating a New ModelUsing a CAD ProgramPrograms for Specific ApplicationsDesign ConsiderationsComplexity Is Free: Hardware as a ServiceSpeed vs. CustomizationSummary
What Is “Slicing?”3D Printing as CookingTools and TechniquesStarting a Print and Getting a Model to Stick to the PlatformSupporting and Orienting a ModelEffects of Layer HeightSpeedManaging Internal Open SpaceGetting Started: How to Slice an ObjectSlicing Programs: Slic3rAlternative Hosting and Slicing ProgramsSummary
Controlling Your 3D PrinterUnderstanding G-codeUsing Host ProgramsRepetier HostMatterControlOctoprintWhen a Print StartsDuring a PrintWhen a Print Finishes NormallyGetting a Part off the Build PlatformPicking Off Support and Cleaning Up The PrintRestarting or Shutting Off the PrinterManually Controlling Your PrinterStopping a PrintChanging FilamentChanging Temperatures During a PrintBasic Hardware TroubleshootingRunning from an SD CardSummary
Filament Quality ControlSelecting and Using a FilamentTemperature and Speed SettingsWill My Filament Spool Run Out During My Print?Filament MaterialsPolylactic Acid (PLA)Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)NylonT-glase (PET)PolycarbonateThermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs)Research FilamentsMultiple ExtrudersPrinting Dissolvable SupportDual-Extruder Printing with Two Different MaterialsSummary
Simple PrintSimple Print Example 1: Heart PendantSimple Print Example 2: Abstract BasePrinting a VasePrinting a Complex Object with Fine DetailPrinting with SupportHand-Building SupportDual ExtrudersDual Extruders: Using One Head for Support MaterialDual Extruders: Models in Two Colors (or Two Materials)Speed SettingsSummary
The Sand-Cast ProcessSand-Casting TerminologyPatterns Made from PLAFilling the Flask with SandCutting Sprues and RunnersPouring in the MetalFinishing the Sand CastingPlanning Ahead for Better CastingAdding Draft to PatternsAvoiding UndercutsLayer OrientationShrinkage and ClearancesPrinting Your Sprues?Investment CastingLost-PLA ProcessCasting vs. Printing in MetalFinding Casting ServicesSummary
Printing Computationally Complex ObjectsPrinting Physically Big ObjectsObjects That Are Too Long for the Build PlatformObjects That Are Too Big in More Than One DimensionGluing the Pieces TogetherSanding, Chemical Smoothing, Painting, and DyeingSandingSmoothing and Bonding ABS with AcetonePainting ABS and PLADyeing NylonSummary
Clicking or Grinding NoisesEnvironmental IssuesDraftsAmbient TemperatureHumidityDustPrinter Internal Alignment IssuesPrints Not Sticking to the Build PlatformClogged Nozzle SolutionsCold PullWire Brush BristleExtruder Drive Gear Teeth CloggedEliminate StringingSoftware UpgradesSummary
Teaching Design, Engineering, and ArtHands-on HistoryWilliam Hand, Jr. Boat HullHerreshoff CleatReactions to the 3D PrintsLearning Through Re-Creating HistoryThe Special-Needs StudentAfter-School ActivitiesRobotics Clubs and TeamsDIY GirlsYoung Maker ProgramsCareer Tech EdEarly-Adopter ExperiencesSummary
Visualizing Molecular BiologyModel Accuracy ConsiderationsExample: 3D-Printed Models of Six-Helix DNA BundlesVisualizing Mathematical AbstractionsParabola Math ManipulativeSurfaces of RevolutionSinusoidsGeneral Surface ModelingOther Scientific Uses of 3D PrintingSummary
Technology TrendsExtreme UsersImproving the User ExperienceFaster PrintingFilamentEmerging 3D-Printing ApplicationsPrinting Food3D Printing in MedicineThe Developing WorldThe Business of 3D PrintingPrinter Patent IssuesHardware as a ServiceSummary
Slic3r Typical SettingsCura Settings Differences
Chapter 1: A Brief History of 3D PrintingChapter 2: The Desktop 3D PrinterChapter 3: Open SourceChapter 4: Making a 3D ModelChapter 5: Slicing a 3D ModelChapter 6: Driving Your Printer: G-CodeChapter 7: Material ConsiderationsChapter 8: Case StudiesChapter 9: Moving to MetalChapter 10: Large Prints and Post-ProcessingChapter 11: TroubleshootingChapter 12: Printers in the ClassroomChapter 13: Scientific VisualizationChapter 14: FuturesMedia Sites Focusing on 3D Printing

Overview

Mastering 3D Printing shows you how to get the most out of your printer, including how to design models, choose materials, work with different printers, and integrate 3D printing with traditional prototyping to make techniques like sand casting more efficient.

You've printed key chains.You've printed simple toys. Now you're ready to innovate with your 3D printer to start a business or teach and inspire others.

Joan Horvath has been an educator, engineer, author, and startup 3D printing company team member. She shows you all of the technical details you need to know to go beyond simple model printing to make your 3D printer work for you as a prototyping device, a teaching tool, or a business machine.