Introduction
In our fourth session, we will get hands-on with 3D printing and submit a 3D design for printing. There are also several helpful settings and options available to you as you prepare to 3D print your prototype model that we will explore as a group.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the most used 3D printer settings and how they affect print jobs
- Describe typical use cases for the following 3D print materials: PLA, PVA, PETG, & TPU-95
- Install Ultimaker Cura on your laptop
- Prepare and submit a 3D print job to the DSC
- Work on at least one additional 3D Design project in TinkerCad or Fusion
Pre-class Activities (20 min)
Please complete the following pre-class work by watching the following videos and reflecting on how 3D printing can help you create prototypes and final products based on the 3D models you create:
How does 3D printing work (2 min)
Understanding 3D Printer Accuracy (6 min)
Using Ultimaker Cura to 3D Print (6 min)
Download & Install the free Ultimaker Cura software: Download
Class Time (30 min)
Lecture slides & Lecture video (12 min) if you can’t make the workshop in person:
- Discuss the pros and cons of using 3D printing for prototyping compared to other prototyping options
- Review materials available in the DSC, and typical use cases
- Demonstrate the main features of Cura
- Submit a 3D print job to the DSC website (if you haven’t done so already)
- Q&A
Hands-on Lab Time (90 min)
- Work on at least one additional 3D Design project in TinkerCad or Fusion
- Submit a 3D print job
- We will observe the start of one of your classmates’ 3D print jobs
Critical Reflection (20 min)
- Your experience preparing your desgin to be 3D printed in Cura
- Did you need to make any modifications to your model design based on the feedback from DSC staff?
- Continue brainstorming ideas for your major project (no decision on your project needs to be made at this time, and you may decide to do something else later in the workshop series)
