// Roundup //

Last week we printed Penny/Dime Traps or Quarter/Nickel Traps and talked briefly about 3D printing and design. Everyone signed up for Accounts with Google, WordPress, Thingiverse, and Tinkercad, created a “Hello post“, and created a Grab Bag Noun Tinkercad project. If you’re new to the class this week, make sure you catch up with those assignments right away.

// Today: First prints from start to finish //

  • Group Discussion: Share your Tinkercad Grab Bag Noun designs with the class.  Here are some questions to discuss: How does it relate to your Grab Bag Noun?  What tools did you use? What would you change if you worked on it some more? How do you think it will print?  Will it need support, reorientation, etc.?
  • You may need to make a few changes before printing, if so, do that now.
  • Download the STL files for each model.
  • 3D Print to the Ultimakers: Print the smaller or more delicate model on the Ultimaker.
    • We’ll do these steps together as a class, but here’s an overview of the printing steps:
    • Open Ultimaker Cura and load your STL file (file folder on top left, your STL file should be in Downloads).
    • Select “Ultimaker 2+ Extended”,  “Ultimaker 3″, etc. to match your printer in the upper right (you may need to Add Printer).
    • If possible, from the Profile menu, select the “Racer X” profile.  If this option doesn’t appear, pick the fastest option available.
    • Does your model need supports? Does it need to be re-oriented, centered, or placed flat on the build platform (click on the model for these options on the left)? Can you scale it so that it prints in less than 45 minutes to an hour? Discuss as a group and then I’ll come over and approve each model individually.  If you can’t get the time down, try switching printers (use cura-lulzbot).
    • Get the SD card or USB drive from your group’s Ultimaker and insert it into the back of the computer.
    • The lower right button should say something like “Save to Removable Drive”. Press this button when ready.
    • Eject the SD/USB drive and put it back into the Ultimaker.
    • Make sure the printer’s build platform is clear and then Print your sliced file.
  • 3D Print to the Lulzbot Mini: Print the larger or simpler model on the Lulzbot Mini.  This printer is a bit faster than the Ultimaker, so if your Ultimaker print will take too long, try the Lulzbot.
    • Open cura-lulzbot and load your STL file (file folder at the top left, your STL should be in Downloads).
    • Does your model need supports or to be reoriented (click on the model for these options)?  Try to size your model so that it prints in less than 45 minutes.
    • Get the SD card out of the Lulzbot Mini2 (it doesn’t pop out like the Ultimaker, just grab it and yank).
    • “Save to Removable Drive”, Eject the SD card, and return it to the Lulzbot Mini.  Make sure the printer’s platform is clear of octopuses and then print your sliced file.
  • Best Practices for Finishing Prints: Your print is over, but there’s still lots to do…
    • Remove your completed print from the printer. It may be easier after the platform cools a bit.
    • Clean up any rafts or supports on your model.
    • Take a photo of your print! We have a class iPad if you don’t have a good phone camera. You’ll need this photo for a future blog post and to post a “Make” on Thingiverse.
    • Print a Level Test (“Octopus” or “Ultimaker X”) to show the next user that the printer is still leveled and ready. If your Level Test does not print successfully, then cancel the print and leave a note on the printer.
    • If your print does not finish before the end of class, leave a note with your name, contact info, and estimated completion time.
  • Class Discussion: If it finishes printing in time, show your printed Tinkercad model to the class.  How did it print or fail to print?  What changes will you make?

// For Next Time //

For homework you’ll create at least twenty five objects in Tinkercad as well as start your Tinkercad Design Project and document your work in a blog post; see the Assignments page for details. Next week we’ll review those forms and the techniques used to make them, and test print your Tinkercad Designs.