3D printing involves designing a 3D model, converting it to an STL file, slicing the file for 3D printing, and printing the model layer by layer. Key steps include measuring a physical part for modeling, using 3D modeling software to create a digital design, saving the file in the software's format and as an STL, using a slicer program like Cura or Slic3r to prepare the file for printing, and printing with PLA or ABS plastic filament. Changing filament involves heating the extruder, removing the old spool, inserting the new spool, and pushing the filament through the nozzle. Painters tape and hairspray can help parts adhere during printing to prevent war

1. 3D PRINTING
A step-by-step guide to the process

2. OVERALL GOAL
FROM DIGITAL: TO PHYSICAL:

3. OVERALL GOAL
TO USE THIS PRINTER: AS CASUALLY AS THIS PRINTER:

4. 1.PRODUCT
DESIGN

5. MEASURE
DIMENSIONS
After checking messages for orders,
acquire sample or OE parts from the
parts library. Calipers are suited for
gleaning measurements from the part.
International/metric units are
preferable, but not required.
Whichever works for you.
NOTE: Although many OE parts have
full dimensionals on record in the
Engineering database, it is better to
take your own measurements for the
sake of consistency & accuracy.

6. 2. MODELING
SOFTWARE

7. CHOICES
THERE IS A WIDE ASSORTMENT
OF 3D MODELING PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE. MANY ARE FREE, A
FEW CAN BE RUN IN A BROWSER,
AND SOME ARE EVEN AVAILABLE
AS APPS FOR A SMARTPHONE OR
TABLET. SOME ARE MORE
PRACTICAL THAN OTHERS, WHILE
OTHERS ARE MORE ACCESSIBLE
TO NOVICES.

8. SAVING
WORK
After the model is finished, two
separate files should be saved.
1) The modeling software’s
own format, such as .123D,
.scad, .ipt, or a cloud save
if available.
2) STL format. This is
supported by most 3D
printers

9. 3. printing
(taz & cura)

12. “LOAD MODEL”
OPENS A DIALOG
BOX WHEREUPON
YOU MAY SELECT
THE STL FILE TO BE
PRINTED.
WHEN A MODEL IS SELECTED, AN ESTIMATED
TIME OF COMPLETION APPEARS BELOW
“CONTROL”. IF YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH HOW
THE PRINT LOOKS, CLICK ON “CONTROL”.
OTHERWISE, YOU CAN ADJUST THE PRINT
POSITION, DENSITY, QUALITY, AND EVEN
SCALE AS NEEDED.

14. THE FILL DENSITY IS ESSENTIAL
TO PRODUCING A QUALITY
PART. TEST PRINTS FOR
FITTINGS OR CONCEPT REVIEW
SHOULD BE AT A LOWER
DENSITY (AROUND 10%) TO
CONSERVE FILAMENT AND
SHORTEN PRINTING TIME. THE
STANDARD FOR A FINISHED
PRODUCT IS 80%.
SUPPORT MATERIAL IS USEFUL FOR
INTRICATE PARTS THAT HANG OVER
THE BASE OF THE COMPONENT.
THE BRIM IS A THIN BREAKAWAY
LINER SURROUNDING THE FIRST
LAYER OF A PRINT. ITS PURPOSE IS
TO PREVENT WARPING. WIDTH IS 5 TO
10mm.

15. BRIM
10%
SUPPORT
VIRTUALLY
HOLLOW -->
PREVENTS BAD
OVERHANG -->

16. WHEN YOU ARE READY TO
PRINT, CLICKING ON
“CONTROL” WILL OPEN A
NEW WINDOW. THIS IS
WHERE YOU CAN
CONTROL THE POSITION
OF THE EXTRUDER FOR
CALIBRATION OR REPAIR.

17. 3. printing
(Prusa &
Repetier)

19. MUCH LIKE CURA, THIS WILL
OPEN A DIALOG BOX AND
ALLOW YOU TO SELECT YOUR
STL FILE TO PLACE ON THE
GRID. YOU CAN USE YOUR
MOUSE TO POSITION THE
OBJECT OR THE CONTROLS
TO THE RIGHT TO TURN, FLIP,
AND EVEN SCALE THE MODEL.

20. ONCE THE MODEL IS WHERE
YOU WANT IT, SELECT THE
TAB LABELED “SLICER”.

21. ONCE THE MODEL IS WHERE
YOU WANT IT, SELECT THE
TAB LABELED “SLICER”.
SLIC3R COMPILES THE STL
FILE INTO G-CODE, A SERIES
OF X-Y-Z COORDINATES THE
PRINTER FOLLOWS WHILE
LAYING OUT THE FILAMENT,
AMONG OTHER COMMANDS
LIKE SPEED, ETC.

23. THE PULL-DOWN MENU AT THE TOP IS FOR
VARIOUS PRESETS. EACH PARAMETER IS
ADJUSTED INDIVIDUALLY IN THE LEFT COLUMN.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ONES ARE INFILL AND
SUPPORT MATERIAL. SLIC3R ALLOWS YOU TO
SELECT DIFFERENT FILL PATTERNS, INCLUDING
HONEYCOMB AND HILBERT CURVE.
IF YOU MAKE ANY CHANGES TO ONE OF THE
PRESETS, A MENU WILL POP UP BEFORE YOU
EXIT ASKING YOU TO EITHER UPDATE THE
CURRENT PRESET OR CREATE A NEW ONE.

24. ONCE YOU’VE FINISHED SLICING,
YOU’LL BE SHOWN THE ESTIMATED
TIME TO COMPLETION AND A
PREVIEW OF THE FINAL PRODUCT,
INCLUDING BRIMS AND SUPPORTS.
FROM THERE, SIMPLY USE THE
START AND STOP BUTTONS AT THE
TOP OF THE SCREEN.

25. MANUAL CONTROLS WILL DISPLAY
DURING THE PRINTING PROCESS
AND ALLOW YOU TO MAKE MINOR
ADJUSTMENTS TO TEMPERATURE
AND SPEED OF THE EXTRUDER.
THEY CAN ALSO BE ACCESSED
BEFORE SLICING YOUR MODEL TO
CHANGE FILAMENT IF ANOTHER
COLOR IS DESIRED.

26. 4. FILAMENT
COLORS
AND TYPES

27. Primary filament types
PLA (polylactic acid)
Also called bioplastic, this is our
preferred printing medium. It
requires relatively low
temperatures, is less likely to
warp, can be extremely durable.
Primary drawback is susceptibility
to damage from humidity over
long periods of exposure.
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene)
The most commonly used filament
for most 3D printers. The
advantages over PLA is its
resistance to humidity. Drawbacks
are needing higher temperatures,
warping more easily, and possible
health hazards.

28. WHEN CHANGING THE FILAMENT IN
THE TAZ, USE THE CONTROL PANEL TO
SET THE TEMPERATURE OF THE
EXTRUDER TO A LEAST 215F. THEN
HAVE YOUR NEW ROLL OF FILAMENT
READY TO SWAP OUT.

29. ONCE THE TEMPERATURE IS RIGHT, PUSH UP ON THE TWO ADJUSTMENT SCREWS ON
THE PRINTER HEAD AND PULL UP ON THE FILAMENT. IT WILL STRETCH A LITTLE.

30. AFTER FEEDING THE NEW FILAMENT
INTO THE HEAD, REPLACE THE
ADJUSTMENT FIXTURE AND USE THE
RETRACT CONTROL TO PUSH THE
FILAMENT THROUGH THE NOZZLE.

31. WHEN CONNECTED TO
THE PRUSA THROUGH
REPETIER, USE THE
MANUAL CONTROLS TO
MOVE THE PRINTER
HEAD AS NEEDED.
JUST LIKE CURA AND THE
TAZ, USE THIS MENU TO
SET THE TEMPERATURE
TO AT LEAST 215F AND
HAVE YOUR NEXT ROLL
READY TO SWAP OUT.

32. UNLIKE THE TAZ, THE PAIR OF
ADJUSTMENT SCREWS ON
THE PRUSA NEED TO BE
TAKEN OUT WITH A HEX KEY.

33. AFTER FEEDING IN THE
NEW FILAMENT, REPLACE
THE ADJUSTMENT
FIXTURE AND USE THE
CONTROL ON THE FAR
LEFT TO PUSH THE
FILAMENT THROUGH THE
NOZZLE..

34. 5. TIPS AND
TOOLS

35. AFTER LAYING DOWN
THE TAPE, SPRAY A
SMALL AMOUNT OF
HAIRSPRAY OVER
WHERE THE PRINT
WILL APPEAR. THIS
WILL HELP THE PRINT
STICK TO THE BUILD
PLATE AND PREVENT
WARPING.
BEFORE PRINTING,
LAY DOWN A SQUARE
OF PAINTER’S TAPE.
THE TEXTURE HELPS
THE PRINT ADHERE
TO THE BUILD PLATE.
THE CLAM KNIFE IS
USEFUL FOR SLIDING
UNDER THE BRIM OF
YOUR PRINTS AND
PRYING UPWARDS TO
REMOVE.

36. 3D PRINTING
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. HAVE FUN