3D printing or additive manufacturing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. It can be done in a variety of processes in which material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control, with material being added together (such as plastics, liquids or powder grains being fused), typically layer by layer.

Unfold Design Studio - Ceramic 3D printing

In the 1980s, 3D printing was also called "Rapid Prototyping" as it was only considered suitable for the production of functional or aesthetic prototypes. However by 2022the precision, repeatability, and material range of 3D printing have increased to the point that some 3D printing processes are considered viable as an industrial-production technology, whereby the term "Additive Manufacturing" can be used synonymously with 3D printing.

MX3D - World's first 3D printed bridge

Additive manufacturing is a rapidly expanding field with proven applications in fashion, food, construction, robotics, medical, transportation and more still being discovered everyday.

Mechnanical sea turtle by Amao Chan

At Connected Environments we love Prusa machines. They work really well, are not ridiculously expensive and are easy to fix on your own. We will primarily work with PLA (Polylactic acid), the most common 3d printing material. It is a bioplastic and thermoplastic made from natural materials like corn starch and is recyclable.

Prusa MK3S+ single-filament printerPrusa MMU2S multi-filament printer

In the new campus you will have access to Light Fabrication Workshop where you will have access to more machines.

Ultimaker S5Prusa XL 2

• Download a printable model (stl file extension) from thingiverse or a similar website. OR
• Make a new model on a 3D design software (Blender/Rhino3D/Fusion)
• Make sure the model is well designed for 3D printing and get advice. 5 minutes of extra work can save hours on 3D printer (and lot of material).
• Export in stl file format.What is a stl file?The fine triangular mesh is approximately encoding the surface geometry of this 3D model (Source: i.materialize)

• Slicer will convert the 3D model to a set of instructions for the printer.
  How slicer works
• Download PrusaSlicer (You can use a different slicer but we will follow Prusa Slicer configuration)
• Include the following printers in the configuration.
  
• Select Prusament PLA for the filament choice.
• Click Finish.

• Set layer thickness to 0.3mm draft unless you are looking for highly detailed prints.
• Filament to Prusament PLA.
• Printer to the one you are using.
• Supports if you need them.
• Infill 15-20%.
• Make sure the object is placed properly on plate.
• Press Slice.
• If everything looks good, export G-Code to your computer.
  

  <img src="assets/img/prusaSettings.png">
  <figcaption>Prusa Slicer window</figcaption>
  

  Settings to get correctA g-code is a set of instructions for the printer to replicate the 3D volume.

• Make sure you are connected to CE WiFi.
• Every printer has an IP address to access it.
  
• Add username password (on slack)
• Make sure the printer is free and the base is clean.
• Make sure the right filament is loaded. This is done via the small control panel on the printer.
  
• Go to the IP address in your browser.
  
• Upload the gcode file on the left column.
• Print !
• Octoprint runs on a Raspberry Pi connected to the 3D printer. It help with better management of the printer, get camera feed, even use ML to detect failed prints.

• For some reason if you are not able to get the octoprint working, this is an alternate method.
• Pull the SD card out of the control panel.
  
• Save the file in the card.
  
• Put it back in the printer and start the print manually using the control knob.

• Even though the 3D printing tech has advanced rapidly, it is not stable yet.
• Prints fail all the time, especially in the first layer.
• Sometimes the results will not be good and you might need to optimise the settings and try multiple times.
• If you are not able to fix the issue yourself find a staff member to help you out.

Print failed due to missing support.

• Once finished, let the print base cool down for a few minutes - it helps with removing the print.
• Pull out the entire metal plate off the base, and flex it to get the print off.
• Never use a sharp tool, the magnetic base will get damaged.
• Clean up after you are done so others don't have to.

• Don't hesitate to come over and discuss your ideas. The 3D model can always be made better, prints made faster and more robust. It will save time and materials and you will learn more.
• If the print is not working or if you broke something, don't worry it happens. Just let a staff member know so it can be fixed and the printer can be operational again.
• Sometimes when the print doesn't stick to the base you will need to slow it down. You can do this directly from the printer interface or by changing the settings in Prusaslicer software (advanced settings). Do it right after the initial calibration.
  Changing speed. Settings -> Tune -> Speed.

A student project from 2021-22 cohort.
A downloadable project from thingiverse.

Youtube link to Timelapse

## Alternative materials
Wood filament. (Image: 3DWithUs - https://3dwithus.com/3d-printing-in-wood)
Water dissolvable support.
Flexible filament.


## BMade workshop

BMade workshop moodle page.BMade general resources page.