Practical Printing

Repository for all 3D printing resources at the TTL Makerspace!

A six week course for learning to use 3D Printing in practical & efficient ways.

Week 1 : Intro to 3D Printing

Introduction to 3D Printing through a blend of hands-on & theoretical work. Set up our first print to discuss next week!

• What is 3D Printing (technical terminology, hardware, use cases)
• Different kinds of 3D printing machines, tools, and techniques
• What is a slicer, why do we need it, and how to use it

Week 2 : Old Skool Modelling

Our first dive into CAD for 3D printing through FreeCAD. Learn to translate real-world use cases & dimensions into the digital environment. Discover the most common 3D printing problems and how to accommodate for them.

• Common 3D printing issues (and how to fix them!)
• Intro to FreeCAD for 3D modelling
• Parametric Design
• Meshing & exporting a printable model
• Slicing

Week 3 : Scanner-Assisted Modelling (Part 1: 2D Scans)

Explore how familiar tools can be used to streamline 3D modelling through the use of your phone! Leverage existing tools to efficiently perform fit tests & print trials.

• 2D Scanning/Photo Reference to 3D modelling workflow
• 3D Printing tolerances & fit tests
• Slicer tips & tricks

Week 4 : Scanner-Assisted Modelling (Part 2: 3D Scans)

Experiment with using a Creality Otter 3D Scanner to model a replacement part for a broken item. Learn to design 3D models based on existing 3D models.

• 3D Scanning - how-to + tips & tricks
• Point clouds, meshes, and tessellation
• Manipulation of existing 3D models

Week 5 : Designing for Resin Printing

TBC - Personalize your own custom keycaps printed on the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra resin printer. Discover the difference between the classic, FDM printing and resin printing.

• SLA vs. FDM Printing - why & use cases
• Design & slicing differences
• Post-processing requirements & additional techniques

Week 6 : TBC - Intro to UV Printing

Resources

Examples

Examples of CAD files & 3D Models

• Jointer/Planer Knob Replacement - replacement for the broken knob
• BOFA Cap - cap for our BOFA fume extractor
• Vacuum Attachment - vacuum adaptor for a 2.5" hose
• Finch Leaf Example - example projct file for a leaf from Finch's thesis project; leaves are sliced with a pause to insert electronic components and the laser-cut acrylic leaf

Guides

• Orca Slicer - Getting Started: Guide to setting up Orca Slicer on your personal computer. Covers printer & filament profile set-ups for new & existing installations of Orca Slicer.
• More TBA!

Printer Manuals

Manuals for all of the current, in-use 3D machines.

• Creality K1C User Manual
• Creality Scan Otter Manual
• Elegoo Saturn Ultra 4 Manual
• Qidi Q2 Quick Start Guide/Manual