So... You Want To Use The 3D Printers

So... You Want To Use The 3D Printers

3D Printing Overview When a student would like to use the 3D Printers: 1. They should contact a supervisor and prepare the build plate. 2. Supervisors will level the build plate and make sure the filament is loaded as the student opens their.stl in Makerware. 3. Supervisors should be present to double check Makerware settings before the.x3g (printable file) is saved to SD card or sent to print. * 4. Supervisors may then start the print job. 5. Students/Supervisors may label and remove completed jobs from the build plates and place them in the pick-up area. * A students may use Makerware on their own computer ahead of time to prepare a file, but should have a supervisor present to check the settings so that filament is not wasted and print-time is minimized.

Creating an STL from SketchUP. Make a model in SketchUp. When you are making your model keep in mind that you want: All of the external white faces showing Air-tight(no holes) No internal geometry (We will be using software to clean it up later so it doesn t need to be perfect) Installing the STL Plug-in. Install the Export to STL in SketchUp. Go to the Window Tab in SketchUp and Click on Extension Warehouse.

Search for SketchUp STL. Then Click on SketchUp STL. You will need a gmail account to login to download the extension. On the top right there will be a button to login to a gmail account. Once logged in the button should become an install button. Click the install button. Once it has installed click OK. Search for SketchUp STL. Then Click on SketchUp STL. You will need a gmail account to login to download the extension. On the top right their will be a button to login to a gmail account.

Click Accept for the Request for Permission. Once logged in the button should become an install button. Click the install button. Accept the Terms and Conditions of Use and Click Confirm. ***You may also wish to install CleanUp³ and its library TT_Lib². This plugin cleans up orphaned and unnecessary lines. It s really useful for creating a solid in SketchUp. Sometimes you don t even realize there are lines causing problems. This plug in will remove those for you. Running the cleanup script leaves you with a much cleaner model to work with

Using the extension to export to an STL. With your model open in SketchUp, highlight the model or portion you wish to export. (If nothing is highlighted it will ask if you want to select the entire model.) Everything selected will be outlined or dotted in blue. Go to the File tab. Click on Export STL... Change the Export Unit to Millimeters. Leave the File format as ASCI. Click OK. Name your file with the extension {.stl} it will not automatically add that for you.

Cleaning up an STL. Go to Cloud.Netfabb.com Scroll down to the processing box. Click Choose File and select you stl. Enter your e-mail address. Select millimeters for units. Check the box, and accept the terms and conditions. Click Upload to Cloud.

Log into the e-mail you used with Netfabb Cloud. You should receive an e-mail confirming the upload. Shortly after, you will recieve an e-mail saying it was processed sucessfully or that it failed. If successful, click on the link in the second e-mail. Scroll down the page and download the REPAIRED FILE. (not the original) Congratulations you should now have a file ready to take into Makerware.

Using Makerbot Makerware. * Have supervisor present to double check settings Open Makerware. Click File > Open. Select your.stl file. Click Open. Select Move to Platform. Use the tools as described on the following page to move, rotate, and scale one or more models. Keep in mind that the less spaces between models, the less distance the extruder has to travel (so your job prints faster!). *Print one object at a time because if one part fails, the entire job will fail. Once you know the object will print successfully, then you can print multiple objects at once.

When your model(s) are postioned centrally with all of your desired adjustements, Click Make. Click Make It Now if you are printing directly from the computer to the attached 3D printer or select Export File if you wish to send the file to an SD Card. Use standard resolution, it has the best quality-time ratio. Make sure that Raft is checked (always) and that Supports also checked are if you have any spans (it should put it only where you need it, so couldn t hurt right?). The defaults of infill, shells, and layer height should be set at 10%, 2 and 0.20 mm respectively. Also, check the box for Preview before printing so that you can get an estimate of how long your print will take.

If you ve selected Make It Now, when you click Make It, Makerware will slice and verify the files. The Toolpath Visualization will show you a slice version of your model and give you an estimate for your print time. Click Export will send it to the connected 3D Printer. (*If the computer shutdown/ restarts you print will stop so we recommend printing from SD Cards.)

If you ve selected Export to a File, when you click Make It, you will be able to save the file to a SD Card. It will slice, verify, and show the preview like Make It Now. Do not use parathesis in the file name when saving your.x3g. Makerware will slice, verify and save the file. Name your files as: FirstInitialLastnameProject#_Part# ex.: BBernard1_3 This would be Ben Bernard s print part #3 of project No. 1. Eject your SD Card and have a supervisor start the print job in an open 3D printer.

Prepping and Placing the Build Plate We use acrylic build plates in the 3D Printers. A light layer of hairspray may be sprayed on the build plate before it is placed into the 3D printers to aid in the print job sticking to the build plate. **It is very important that you place it back then front so that you do not damage the tabs.** A When placing the acrylic build plates into the 3D printers, slide the back into the back tab(a) and then snap the front into place with the front tabs(b). B Build plate prep complete! Watch fist-bump!

Leveling the Build Plate! Why Leveling Is Important If the build platform is too far from the extruder nozzle, or if one part of the plate is farther away from the nozzle than another part, your builds might not stick to the build plate. If the build platform is too close to the extruder nozzle, the build plate can block the PLA Filament from extruding from the nozzle. This can also scratch the build plate. Leveling your build plate often will help ensure that objects adhere well to the plate. <- This is your Support card. We use NDSU business cards to level the build plates because they are thicker than plain paper.

To level the build plate, you must adjust the three knobs under the build platform. These three knobs lower and raise the build plate. Tightening the knobs [turning them to the right] moves the build plate away from the extruder nozzle. Loosening the knobs [turning them to the left] moves the build plate closer to the extruder nozzle. The distance between the extruder nozzle and the build plate should be about the thickness of the support card. How to Level the Build Plate Use the LCD Keypad on the 3D Printer to select Utlities -> Level Build Plate

The script will prompt you to adjust the knobs individually. As you adjust each knob, make sure the Support card just slides between the nozzle and build plate.

You should feel some friction on the support card, but still be able to easily pass the card between the plate and the extruder nozzle without tearing or damaging the card. The script will prompt you to adjust each knob again. This allows for fine tuning. This time, the Support card should slide between the build plate and nozzle with more friction.

After the second set of adjustments, the nozzle will move to the center of the build plate. Confirm that the MakerBot Support card slides between the nozzle and plate with a moderate amount of friction. NOTE: You can use these menus to return to the leveling script at any time. For a demonstration of this process, see the MakerBot Replicator 2 video page at makerbot.com/support/replicator2/videos.

Loading PLA Filament Rear-Mount Spool Holder For The Makerbot 3D Printer.! NOTE: To avoid filament jams, ensure that the PLA Filament feeds from the bottom of the spool toward the top of the spool to the guide. For the rear-mount, you may use either the left or the right side, but be sure that the filament feeds to the center where the guide tube is located. (leftside) (backside)

Top-Mount Spool Holder For The Makerbot 3D Printer. Filament Spool Extruder Filament goes around this way If the Makerbot you are using is set up with the top-mounted spool holder, no guide tube will be necessary.! NOTE: To avoid filament jams, ensure that the PLA Filament feeds over the top of the spool. (leftside) <-front, back ->

On the 3D Printer Menu, Press the arrow down to Utilites. Select Utilites -> Change Filament -> Load.! WARNING: Do not touch the extruder while it is heating it heats to 446 F. (230 C) Carefully remove the end of the filament guide tube from the hole in the top of the extruder. (Rear-mount only)

Free the end of the MakerBot PLA Filament from the filament spool. Be sure the filament has a clean edge. If not, use a pair of scissors or wire cutters to cut a clean edge. <- Like this, Not that -> Feed the free end of the MakerBot PLA Filament from the spool into the end of the filament guide tube where it attaches to the back of the MakerBot Replicator 2.

After the extruder reaches 230 C, the LCD panel will prompt you to load the PLA Filament into the extruder. Click through the message UNTIL your MakerBot Replicator 2 asks you to press the M when you see plastic extruding.

Take the end of the PLA Filament and firmly push it into the hole in the top of the extruder. Ensure that the filament goes into the center of the opening and doesn t get caught at the edge of the opening. Insert the free end of the MakerBot PLA Filament into the hole in the top of the extruder. Gently assist the filament into the extruder until you feel the motor pull the filament in.

Watch the extruder nozzle. After a few moments, you should see a thin string of the MakerBot PLA Filament that you loaded come out of the nozzle. Press the M button to stop extrusion. Wait a few seconds for the extruded PLA to cool, then pull it off the nozzle. You can discard this extra filament. Don t touch the nozzle; it may still be hot. Don t leave plastic clinging to the extruder nozzle. This can cause newly extruded plastic to stick to the nozzle instead of the build platform. Push the guide tube back into the opening on the top of the extruder.

Unloading PLA Filament On the 3D Printer Menu, Press the arrow down to Utilites. Select Utilites -> Change Filament -> Unload.! WARNING: Do not touch the extruder while it is heating it heats to 446 F. (230 C) Carefully remove the end of the filament guide tube from the hole in the top of the extruder. (Rear-mount PLA only)

Once the guide tube is out, pull the filament gently out of the extruder. Press M to exit the menu when finished.

Printing an Object From the SD Card. After you have successfully leveled the build platform and loaded the PLA Filament into the extruder, place the loaded SD Card with the model into the SD port. The SD port is directly behind the LCD Panel. On the 3D Printer Menu, Press M to Select Build from SD. Then Use the up and down arrow buttons to navigate through the list of models on the SD card. To select a model, press M.

The MakerBot Replicator 2 will begin to build your object. You can use the LCD panel to monitor the temperature of the extruder and the status and progress of the object.

Removing Objects from the Build Plate. Release tabs at the back the build plate first. Then carefully lift the plate out of the 3D Printer. Take a thin metal craft spatula and carefully work the blade under the edge of the object on all the sides working it loose from the build plate. Be careful not to gouge the build plate itself.

Rafts on the model may be carefully removed in a similar manner.

SO... YOU NEED TO MAINTAIN THE 3D PRINTERS WITH AN INTRODUCTION INTO TROUBLESHOOTING...

Troubleshooting PROBLEM Can t load MakerBot PLA Filament into the extruder SOLUTION Make a clean cut at the end of the MakerBot PLA Filament. Cut the MakerBot PLA Filament at an angle a narrow tip will help with loading. It is also important that the filament have no bends in it. Use more force when pushing the MakerBot PLA Filament into the extruder. Grasp the filament firmly and push it into the middle of the hole on top of the extruder. To increase your grip, you can hold the filament with a pair of pliers. Ensure that you insert the MakerBot PLA Filament straight down into the extruder, not diagonally. After you feel the motor grab the filament, watch the filament come out of the extruder. You will want to see it coming out at a consisent speed and width. If you are still having trouble, remove the fan assembly as described in the Cleaning the Drive Gear section on Page 4. Load the filament again, watching to see that it goes straight down through the extruder. Extruder makes a clicking noise when loading MakerBot PLA Filament This probably means that the drive gear has filament built up in it. Remove the fan assembly as described in the Cleaning the Drive Gear section on Page 4. Load the filament again, watching to see that it goes straight down through the extruder. Object is stuck to build plate Wait for the object to cool down. Objects will detach more easily after they have cooled. If the object is still stuck, take a thin metal craft spatula and carefully work the blade under the edge of the object. When the blade is most of the way under the object, twist the handle slightly. The object should come free. *Be careful not to gouge the build plate. In the future, you can cover your build plate with blue tape. This allows your objects to stick to the build plate but be removed more easily.

PROBLEM Object won t stick to build plate SOLUTION Relevel your build plate. Inconsistent plate height will lead to inconsistent adhesion. If any one part of your object does not adhere well to the build plate, the whole object might peel off of the plate. Ensure that the plate is clean. Tears in tape, dust and oil from your hands can prevent objects from sticking to the plate. Wipe down the build plate with a clean, lintfree cloth. Retape the build plate if there are tears in it. If you are building on blue tape, consider building on the bare acrylic plate instead. Objects will adhere better to the acrylic. Can t remove MakerBot PLA Filament from extruder Run the filament load script in the onboard Utilities menu and let the filament advance for about five seconds. Then run the unload script again. Extrusion stops during a build Your build plate might be so close to the extruder that it is preventing plastic from coming out of the nozzle. Tighten each knob on the bottom of the build plate by a quarter turn to move the platform farther from the extruder nozzle. Extrusion could also stop if your MakerBot PLA filament has been kept heated for too long. Unload the filament, cut a clean edge, and load the filament again. Updating Your Firmware Keeping your firmware up to date will ensure that your MakerBot Replicator 2 always operates at its best. When MakerWare tells you that there s a new firmware release, click the MakerBots menu and select Upload Firmware.

Troubleshooting PROBLEM Makerbot won t turn on SOLUTION Check all cable connections from power source to bot. Issues persists after basic troubleshooting Check connections, swap parts with known good one. Call Makerbot support if troubleshooting fails to remedy the problem. If problem parts are found, they will be replaced under warranty or new parts will need to be purchased.

Lubricating the Threaded Rod and the X-Axis Idler Pulley 1. Find the tube of PTFE-based grease included with your MakerBot Replicator 2. 2. Grasp both sides of the build platform and push it gently to the bottom of the MakerBot Replicator 2. 3. Use a clean, lint-free rag [or your finger] to spread the PTFE-based grease onto the top section of the threaded rod. 4. Make sure you get the grease inside of the threads themselves. 5. Grasp both sides of the build platform and move it to the top of the MakerBot Replicator 2. 6. Use a clean, lint-free rag [or your finger] to spread the PTFE-based grease onto the bottom section of the threaded rod. Make sure you get the grease inside of the threads themselves. 7. Locate the X-axis idler pulley. If you are facing the front of the MakerBot Replicator 2, the idler pulley is at the top left side. The idler pulley is one of the pulleys that allow the rubber belt to move the extruder from left to right, or along the X-axis. The pulley at the other side of the gantry is called the timing pulley and does not require lubrication. 8. Squeeze a small amount of the PTFEbased grease directly onto the exposed area of the dowel inside the idler pulley and manually move the pulley back and forth to spread the grease.

Cleaning the Drive Gear The drive gear is the part of the extruder that pushes filament through the extruder. When you make things with your MakerBot Replicator 2, small pieces of hardened PLA can stick to the drive gear. If you are having problems with your extruder, cleaning the drive gear might help. 1. Unload the MakerBot PLA Filament from the extruder. To start the script for unloading the MakerBot PLA Filament, go to the LCD panel and select Utilities > Filament Options > Unload. 2. Unscrew the two bolts at the lower corners of the fan guard using the 2.5 mm hex key included with your MakerBot Replicator 2. As one piece, remove the fan guard, the fan, the heat sink, and spacers. Keep these pieces together and set them aside. 3. Unclip the motor wires. 4. Pull the motor assembly out. 5. Find the drive gear on the motor shaft. Using dry q-tips remove all the pieces of filament stuck to the drive gear. 6. Reseat the motor assembly. 7. Plug in the motor wires. 8. Add the fan guard, the fan, the heat sink, and spacers to the front of the extruder and bolt them on. 9. Reload the MakerBot PLA Filament. To do this, go to the LCD panel and select Utilities > Filament Options > Load.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE