3D Printing

Ultimaker S3

3D Printing or additive manufacturing is the process of creating physical 3D objects from a digital model. We use Fused Deposition Modelling printing (FDM) technology for printing 3D models into physical objects. This is available to all students in DBE.

3D printing requires a General Makerspace Induction and 3D Printing badge.

Learn more about Makerspace inductions.

The DBE Makerspace contains 22 3D printers. You can also access 3D printers in the 202 Digital Modelling Workshop.

Specifications

Dimensions

Type	Quantity	Build Volume	No. of Extruders	Resolution (layer height)	Location
Ultimaker 2+ Connect	10	223 x 220 x 205mm	1	0.06 – 0.2mm	418 Makerspace
Ultimaker S3	11	230 x 190 x 200mm	2	0.06 – 0.8mm	418 Makerspace
Ultimaker S5	1	330 x 240 x 300mm	2	0.06 – 0.8mm	418 Makerspace
Ultimaker 3 Extended	1	215 x 215 x 300mm	2	0.06 – 0.8mm	202 Digital Modelling
Markforged Onyx Pro	1	320 x 132 x 154mm	2	0.1 – 0.2mm	202 Digital Modelling
Ultimaker S7	2	330 x 240 x 300mm	2	0.06 - 0.4mm	202 Digital Modelling

Materials Available

Material	Description	Available Colours	Suitable printers
PLA (polylactic acid)	Good for most 3D print projects. Easy to print, with relatively high strength, low thermal expansion and good adhesion, but low heat resistance	White, pearl white, black, transparent, silver, grey, blue, green, teal, purple, red, orange, yellow	All Ultimaker printers
Tough PLA	Similar strength to ABS and heat-resistant to 58°C	White, black	All Ultimaker printers
TPU95A (thermoplastic polyurethane)	Flexible, elastic, chemical-resistant filament	White, black	Ultimaker S3, Ultimaker S5
PVA (polyvinyl alcohol)	Water-soluble support material, for specialised applications only. Used in combination with other materials such as PLA.	Natural	Ultimaker S-Line
Carbon fibre filled nylon	High strength, toughness, and chemical resistance; can be reinforced with continuous fibre to yield aluminum-strength parts. For applications where strength is a requirement, e.g. plastic part replacement, housings, or mounts.	Black	Markforged Onyx Pro

Safe work procedures

Ultimaker 2+ Connect SWP

Ultimaker S-Line SWP

Setting up your files

Check for modelling errors

Common issues with 3D printing occur due to bad geometry. Please make sure you check your meshes for the following before attempting to print:

Issue type	What this is?	What does it cause?	How do you fix it?
Non-manifold geometry	When an objects has edges that are not totally connected or objects with added faces. The object does not have volume.	Some or all of the model has no volume, making it impossible to print.	Geometry must be fully enclosed (watertight), and only 2 faces may share an edge.
Non-unified faces	When a mesh’s faces (normals) are not all facing in the correct direction.	Printing software will not be able to understand what is inside or outside the model, leading to unexpected results.	Check that the normals of all faces are facing the correct direction.
Unsupported areas	When there are not enough support structures to print your object. Some parts of your object will be printed in mid-air.	Your object may fail to print or break apart. It may cause damage to the printer.	Consider whether your model can be redesigned to support any overhanging areas. Consider whether your model should be printed in a different orientation, or broken into separate parts (e.g. a roof separated from a building). Add supports in Cura and remove after printing.

Checklist

1. Check for Non-Manifold Errors
2. Check for Naked Edges
3. Fill/ Cap Holes
4. Unify Normals
5. Convert your model to a mesh
6. Export your model as a .stl file

Printing your 3D files

With an STL file ready, this 3D file will need to be put through a slicer software which slices this 3D model into a stack of vertical layers for printing and converts this information into a set of G-Code which are sent to the 3D printer to print the file.

Ultimaker Cura

Ultimaker Cura slicer

Download and install a copy of the latest Ultimaker Cura slicer into your laptop prior to attending the 3D Printing Badge at the DBE Makerspace

Ultimaker Cura is a free to download slicer software that is used with all 3D printers within the DBE Makerspace.

Before printing, ensure that the following settings (but not limited to) are specifically selected to suit your 3D model, material, and printer:

-         Printer model to use

-         Material type and colour

-         Print quality and layer height

-         Infill density and pattern

-         Overhang support density and placement

-         Build plate adhesion type

Selecting the most optimal print settings will help ensure a better chance of a successful print as well as also helps determine that:

-         Model has the desired finish quality

-         Model has sufficient support

-         Supports are easy to remove

-         Strength of printed part

-         Print time is minimised

-         Weight and amount of material needed are minimised