Week 05: 3D Scanning and Printing¶

The Week 4 Group Assignment is to test the design rules for our 3D printers. We tested the Original Prusa i3 MK3 and Sindoh with three test files we downloaded from Thingiverse.

3D Printing¶

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has garnered significant attention worldwide in recent years. Over the past decade, it has experienced substantial growth, largely due to the openness of hardware development in the field. This innovative manufacturing method involves adding materials layer by layer to create objects, making it invaluable for prototyping and product development. With 3D printing, virtually anything can be produced, including intricate structures and even entire homes.

The versatility of 3D printing is highlighted by the various technologies available, each tailored for specific purposes. From printers capable of producing bio organs to those used for crafting working rocket engine nozzles, the range of applications continues to expand. Today, people are harnessing this technology to achieve feats that were once unimaginable, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in manufacturing and design.

Original Prusa i3 MK3¶

The Original Prusa i3 MK3, developed by Prusa Research, is a top-tier desktop 3D printer renowned for its reliability and versatility. With a sturdy frame and high-quality components, it ensures precise printing of various materials. Advanced features like filament detection, automatic bed leveling, and power outage recovery enhance its usability and reliability. The intuitive LCD interface and compatibility with popular slicing software further streamline the printing process. Trusted by hobbyists, enthusiasts, and professionals, the i3 MK3 stands out as a top choice for those seeking exceptional print quality and a seamless user experience in the realm of 3D printing.

Printer Specifications¶

Build Volume: 25×21×21 cm (9.84”×8.3”×8.3”)
Layer Height: 0.05 - 0.35 mm
Nozzle: 0.4mm default, wide range of other diameters/nozzles supported
Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
Max Travel Speed: 200+ mm/s
Max Nozzle Temperature: 300 °C / 572 °F
Max Heatbed Temperature: 120 °C / 248 °F

Safety Measures¶

Indoor use only; avoid exposure to rain or snow. Keep printer dry, with 30 cm clearance.
Place printer on stable surface to prevent tipping.
Use specified household power outlet to avoid damage.
Protect power cord from damage and tripping hazards.
Unplug by grasping plug, not cord, to prevent damage.
Only qualified technicians should repair power supply.
Avoid touching hot nozzle or heatbed; temperatures can cause burns.
Do not reach inside printer during operation.
Keep printer out of reach of unsupervised children.
Do not leave printer unattended while powered on.
Operate printer in well-ventilated area due to potential odours from melting plastic

Loading the filament¶

To load filament into the extruder, follow these steps after preheating the printer for the appropriate filament type:

Navigate to the main menu on the LCD by pressing the control knob.
Select the “Loading Filament” option using the control knob and confirm your choice.
Choose the material you will be printing with.
Wait for the nozzle to reach the target preheat temperature.

The printer has filament sensor and autoloading capabilities enabled, so simply insert the filament into the extruder. The process will be automated from this point onward. Ensure that the filament tip is sharp and pointed.

Prusa Slicer¶

PrusaSlicer is a versatile slicing software tailored for Prusa 3D printers, offering a user-friendly interface with customizable settings for optimal print quality and efficiency. It supports multiple printer brands, provides automatic support generation, and enables visual previewing of sliced models. With features like multi-material printing support and regular updates, it caters to a wide range of user needs, from beginners to advanced users. PrusaSlicer’s commitment to continuous improvement ensures users have access to the latest slicing technology, making it a valuable tool for achieving high-quality 3D prints with ease.

Test Print:¶

In order to learn how to 3D print effectively and understand the capabilities and limitations of your 3D printer, it’s crucial to print a test model that can help measure and identify various factors such as print tolerance and adherence to design rules.

Test 1¶

We downloaded this file from Thingiverse.com

After downloading the file, we uploaded it into the Prusa slicer.

We set the printer to the following settings

Select the “Slice” button located at the bottom right corner of the interface. This action prompts the software to process the object, slicing it into individual layers and generating the corresponding G-codes necessary for printing each layer. Additionally, the software provides estimates for the printing time required for the print job.

Then we saved the gcode file into the SD card and gave it for printing.

Observations¶

The final print out we got looks good and clear, but we need to measure it to find how accurate it is.

Nut, Size M4 Nut should fit perfectly

Fits perfectly

Wave, rounded print

Wave crust are not perfectly round whereas the wave troughs are rounded.

Star, Sharp Edges

The edges are not very sharp and there’s spagetti formation.

Name, Complex Shapes

Name is not very clear.

Holes, Size 3, 4, 5 mm

Printed hole sizes: 2.87, 3.79, 4.81mm. The hole sizes are slightly small

minimal Distance: 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 mm

We counldn’t measure it since the clearence are really minute

Z height: 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1 mm

Printed value: 0.3, 0.38, 0.54, 0.72, 0.94, some of the Z heights are not obtained.

Wall Thickness: 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 mm

Printed wall thickness: 0.44, 0.49, 0.54, 0.64 and 0.77mm. Walls of thickness 0.1, 0.2, 0.3mm were not obtained.

Bridge Print: 2, 4, 8, 16 mm

Bridges are formed between each pillar with some spagetti.

Sphere, Rounded Print 4.8mm height

Sphere is rounded with a height of 3.30mm.

Sphere Mix, 7 mm height

Sphere mix of 5.2mm height

Pyramid, 7 mm height

Pyramid of 5.9mm height

Overhang: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70°

Overhang shows stability but slight defects

Warp, does it bend?

Warp came out perfect

3D Print Font, optimized for 3D printing

Fonts are almost good.

Spike, minimum Layer Time, 21 mm height from Bottom (include Baseplate)

The spike broke while taking observations.

Hole in Wall, 4 mm diameter, check for proper print

Hole is 3.85mm diameter.

Test 2¶

Since few parameters were missing in this test print, we downloaded another file from Thingiverse.com

Then I uploaded the file in Prusa Slicer and set the settings as follows:

Here is the printed test file. It took about three hour and 40 minutes. The text is also well-printed.

Observations¶

Now we meed to measure new parameters and check if its accurate.

Overhang test- Obtained upto 60-65 degress correctly.
Bridging test- All bridges were obtained as in the test file.

Hole test- As opposed to the test file, the circle holes obtained were 3.61, 5.89, 7.7mm and the rectangle holes were obtained as 4.07, 3.02, 1.96 mm
Diameter test- As opposed to the test file, the cylinder diameters were obtained as 9.8, 7.78, 5.64 and 3.79 mm

Bridge test- The bridge values were found to be 27.09, 21.92, 17.06, 11.98, 7.21 and 3.99 mm
Tower test- The tower height was found to be 30.75, 20.19 and 10.19 mm

Surface test- The surface was obtained correctly with nice finish

Sindoh 3DWOX 1¶

The Sindoh 3DWOX 1 is a versatile 3D printer renowned for its user-friendly design and reliability. Developed by Sindoh, this printer is equipped with features that streamline the 3D printing process, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users. It offers a generous build volume and supports a wide range of filament materials, including PLA, ABS, and flexible filaments. The 3DWOX 1 features a closed-frame design for enhanced safety and stability during printing. Its intuitive touchscreen interface and wireless connectivity options further contribute to its ease of use. Overall, the Sindoh 3DWOX 1 is a dependable choice for hobbyists, educators, and professionals seeking a hassle-free 3D printing experience.

Printer Specifications¶

Build Volume: 210 x 200 x 195 mm
Layer Height: 0.05 ~ 0.4 mm
Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm
Interface: USB 2.0 Device/2.0 Host, Ethernet (1G), Wi-Fi

Loading the filament¶

3DWOX¶

The Sindoh 3DWOX slicing software is tailored for Sindoh 3D printers, featuring an intuitive interface suitable for users of all levels. It offers automatic slicing settings for beginners and customizable options for advanced users, facilitating precise control over print quality and speed. With support generation and filament compatibility for various materials like PLA and ABS, it ensures successful prints of complex geometries. The software enables remote monitoring via Wi-Fi and provides a preview mode for layer-by-layer visualization before printing. Overall, Sindoh 3DWOX slicing software streamlines the printing process, making it efficient and accessible for a wide range of users.