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Week 5
  1. Week Outline
  2. Global Class
  3. Local Classes
    1. 3D Printing Theory
    2. 3D Printing Practice
    3. 3D Scanning Theory
    4. 3D Scanning Practice
  4. Recitation
  5. Assignments
    1. Group 3D Printer Rules
    2. 3D Design and Print of an Object
    3. 3D Scan of an Object
  6. Global Review

Week Outline

  1. Wednesday: Global Class on 3D Scanning and Printing.
  2. Thursday: Local Classes on 3D Printing Theory, and FDM and DLP Practice.
  3. Friday: Local Classes on 3D Scanning Theory and Practice and 3D Printing Biomaterials Practice.
  4. Monday:
  5. Tuesday:
  6. Wednesday:

Global Class

For this week, Neil started the class with a comparison between subtractive and additive processes. He discussed the benefits and constraints of 3D printing. He also talked about the different materials that can be used, some of their properties, and what some of them are best for. He then elaborated on some design rules, and why they are taken into consideration when printing. He also discussed multiple processes within the 3D printing scope. Afterwards he showed different machines that have been developed for multiple projects and with different ideas in mind. Then, Neil went into detail about the different formats for files used to 3D print. He shared some softwares to look at the in-between of CAD and the printer's software. He finished by discussing 3D scanning techniques and machines.

Local Classes

3D Printing Theory

Julia started our class with an activity that had us trying to "print" different structures with mashed potato. This helped us get a better grasp of how machines and materials work when printing.

Class Activity

Then we dove straight into the theory. She started by giving us a little bit of background on the history of 3D printing. Afterwards, she did a comparison between additive and subtractive materials. She then introduced the different 3D printing technologies and discussed some of the most common ones. Then, she introduced us to the printing workflow. She talked about layer height, shell, infill, piece orientation, load directionality, and supports. She also gave us some tips and parameter recommendations. She discussed different materials and went more in depth into the materials commonly used in our lab. She discussed file formats and focused on STL and OBJ. She finished the class by showing us multiple examples of 3D prints with different machines, materials, and techniques.

3D Printing Practice

To print a piece using FDM technology (fillament extrusion), Didac ran us through the workflow of:

  1. Exporting a file to print (from Fusion and Rhino), or downloading a file to print (from Thingiverse).
  2. Setting up the printer and material parameters on Bambu Studio.
  3. Importing the file.
  4. Arranging the layout of the piece(s).
  5. Setting up the process parameters.
    1. Quality
    2. Strength
    3. Support
  6. Slicing the plate and check properties.
  7. Exporting the plate sliced file into an SD card.
  8. Inserting the SD card into BambuLab X-1 Carbon printer.
  9. Selecting the file on the printer screen.
  10. Selecting the printing parameters.
  11. Printing the file.
FDM Printer Setup

To print a piece using DLP technology (resin light projection), Didac ran us through the workflow of:

  1. Downloading a file to print.
  2. Selecting resin printing on Lychee Slicer.
  3. Selecting printer and resin parameters.
  4. Importing the file.
  5. Arranging the layout of the piece(s).
  6. Preparing piece(s) by creating supports and a raft.
  7. Exporting slices to file into a USB stick.
  8. Inserting the usb stick into the eleego printer.
  9. Using a brush to check the tank for dry pieces and to mix the resin.
  10. Using a piece of paper to check the platform for dry pieces.
  11. Selecting the file to print on the printer screen.
  12. The machine callibrates itself and then prints.
  13. Removing the piece after the machine is done printing.
  14. Cleaning the piece with isopropilic alcohol.
  15. Letting the piece dry.
  16. Curing the piece with UV lights.
FDM Printer Setup

To print a piece using extrusion technology but with biomaterials instead of filament, Josep showed us how to use the printers that our lab has modified for the purpose. He started by showing us the modified pieces that were added to the printers and explaining to us how they work. Then, he printed a cylinder with mashed potatoes on each machine.

Biomaterials Printing

3D Scanning Theory

Josep started by giving us examples of what can be done with 3D scanning, and then going into an in depth explanation of what it is. He gave us a brief history of it and dove into basic topics. Then, he introduced us to different scanning technologies and softwares and went in depth into how they work, their strengths and weaknesses, and how and when to use them.

3D Scanning Practice

Josep showed us how to use the Revo Scan scanner and software. Below is an image of him demonstrating the process by scanning Mark's face.

Mark Scan

Then, Julia showed us how to use the Kinect scanner and software.

Recitation

Assignments

1. Test the design rules for your 3D printer(s) as a group.

The documentation of the work we did can be found here.

2. Design and 3D print an object that could not be made subtractively.

3. 3D scan an object (and optionally print it).

Global Review