Sion Learning Resource Centre: 3D Printing

3D Printing is the action or process of making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by laying down many thin layers of a material in succession. This can be done by heating up plastic and layering it (extruded) or layering it with a layer using resin.

These websites have libraries of 3D Printing files:

There are many ways in which you can use a 3D Printer:

1. Replicate.
   You can replicate what someone else has created. Download a *.stl file from a repository site such as Thingiverse and then print it out.
2. Adaptation.
   You can take a design that someone else has created and adapt it to your needs. For example, using a model of a frog and changing it into a mobile phone holder by editing it in a CAD package such as Tinkercad.
3. Innovate.
   Designing your own model from scratch using a 3D CAD package such as Tinkercad.

Most 3D Printers have their own proprietary file format and come with software to allow you to use the printer. The all-purpose file format is STL and most 3D Printers will accept this file format.

Once you are ready to print, make sure that the 3D Printer is turned on. Start the 3D Printing software on the desktop software, FlashPrint, and then import or open your file for printing. Your printer software should give you an estimated print time.

Make sure you check the print job to ensure that you haven't run out of filament and that everything is printing as it should be. 

Considerations:

• Allow up to 10 minutes for heating up if the printer is cold. 
• Allow up to 5 minutes for cleaning the print head at the end of the process. 
• Allow up to 10 minutes for changing the filament (LRC staff will do this).

Our experience is that if the software says it will take 2 hours to print, it will take 2 1/2 hours - 25% more than anticipated, not including heating up or cooling down.

Once your 3D model has been printed:

1. Clean the print head. Make sure there are no leftover bits of plastic on the print head using the wire brush. If there is stubborn plastic on the print head, you may have to commence a cleaning routine where the print head is heated up to allow all plastic to melt away.  
2. Clean the printing base or platform and make sure that there is no residual plastic stuck to the printing base. This 
3. Dust out the unit and make sure that it is clean for the next person.

Report any faults to the LRC as soon as possible.