1) Introduction to 3D Printing

214819

3D PRINTING

LICENSE, DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY, AND LIMITED WARRANTY

Stephanie Torta

Jonathan Torta

MERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATION

Dulles, Virginia

Boston, Massachusetts

3D PRINTING

Copyright ©2019 by MERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATION. All rights reserved.

Publisher: David Pallai

M

ERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATION

22841 Quicksilver Drive

Dulles, VA 20166

info@merclearning.com www.merclearning.com (800) 232-0223 This book is printed on acid-free paper in the United States of America.

S. Torta and J. Torta.

ISBN-13: 978-1683922094

The publisher recognizes and respects all marks used by companies, manufacturers, and developers as a means to distinguish their products. All brand names and product names mentioned in this book are trademarks or service marks of their respective companies. Any omission or misuse (of any kind) of service marks or trademarks, etc. is not an attempt to infringe on the property of others.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019901183

Our titles are available for adoption, license, or bulk purchase by inst itutions, corporations, etc. For additional information, please contact the Customer Service Dep t. at (800) 232-0223 (toll free). Digital versions of our titles are available at: www.academiccourseware.com and other e-vendors.

The sole obligation of

M ERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATION to the purchaser is to replace the disc, based on defective materials or faulty workmanship, but not based on the operation or functionality of the product.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSv

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Stephanie Torta

There were many people who helped with the making of . Although there are too many to name, I would like to mention a few whose support went above and beyond. First, I would like to say a big, “Thank you," to my brother who is an incredible coauthor. His eagerness to learn, intelligences, and willingness to pass on that knowledge have always inspired me. Writing this book together only increased that feeling. It was a privileg e and an honor to work together on this book with him. Thank you to Cara w ho really should be listed as a coauthor for all her incredible help in bringing this book together. Thank you to Eric, Michelle, Kristin, Kristen, Rachel, Dave, and Colleen for their friendship and insight in the publishing world. To all my friends who gave us their support and let me talk endlessly about the bo ok. To everyone who took the time to share their knowledge with quotes and inte rviews for the book. And most of all, I would like to give thanks to my mother; without her support this book would not have been possible. Thank you!

Jonathan Torta

An amazing thank you to all who made this book a reality. I never knew how much went into a book and now I do. To my sister and her patience who was the main mover of this entire enterprise going far beyond author and tou ching every aspect of this book and had to deal with me learning on the fly. To my wife Cara and mother Diana who corrected the many typographical mistakes and wrangled the words far beyond my own capability and much more. To my good friends Jen, Dave, and Dale that not only gave me support but also inter esting projects and stories to add to this book. They keep me on my toes and pu sh my limits with their interesting ideas and projects. And to Eric and other fellow

3D printers who were kind enough to give us insights on how they use the

se amazing devices in their businesses and also shared their stories. This book was a much larger project then I ever thought it would be and it required al l to com plete it. Thank you!

CONTENTSvii

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part 1 - An Overview of 3D Printing

CH1 - A Brief Overview of 3D Printing

CH2 - 3D Printer Use in Industry

CH3 - 3D Printers and Education

viii

CH4 - Do-It-Yourself 3D Printing

CH5 - Types of 3D Printers

CH6 - Printable Materials including FDM Filament

CH7 - Applications and Slicing Settings

CONTENTSix

Summary

184

Applying What You've Learned

184

CH8 - Getting Started

185

8.1 - How do I obtain a 3D Model?

186

8.2 - What are some of the differences between file formats?

188

8.3 - How do I condition or repair a 3D Model for slicing?

189

8.4 - When do I slice my 3D model?

190

8.5 - Should I use a 3D printing service?

191

8.6 - What do I look for in a printer?

196

Summary

201

Applying What You've Learned

201

CH9 - Setting Up to Print

203

9.1 - How do I slice my 3D model?

204

9.2 - Do I have to worry about safety and ventilation?

208

9.3 - Why do I need to run hardware tests?

210

9.4 - How can I transfer my file to my printer?

216

9.5 - What happens during a print? Is there anything I need to watch out for?

217

9.6 - Are there ways to remotely monitor my printer?

218

Summary

219

Applying What You've Learned

219

Part 2 - Using your 3D Printer .....................................................................221

CH10 - Calibration

223

10.1 - What is the importance of calibrating my printer?224

10.2 - The calibration project Mow CAL

224

10.3 - Where can I go for troubleshooting help?

236

Summary

237

Applying What You've Learned

237
x

CH11 - Buying and Calibrating Your Filament

CH12 - Challenges

CH13 - Refining and Finishing the Print

Part 3 - Knowledge Base

CH 14 - Buying and Modifying Your Printer

CONTENTSxi

CH15 -Maker Minds

321

15.1 - Collaborating with the maker community

322

15.2 - The maker community

326

Summary

330

Applying What You"ve Learned

330

Appendices

331

A - Extras

331

B - Glossary

337
Index 345

INTRODUCTIONxiii

INTRODUCTION

Introduction from the Maker

I have been 3D printing for just under 10 years, starting from a kit and moving to quite a few other printers along the way, always learning more and modify ing them along the way. Being a tinkerer, hobbyist and DIYer, 3D printing was a perfect match, allowing me to make useful parts and also being a hobby all in its own right. I am always learning more, but I've found that others have been coming to me for help and advice, and that my experience was valuable to the community. So, I helped out where I could on various forums and enthusiast groups. In making this book, I'm hoping to help many more people by g athering often repeated tips in a single place. In this process I also learned qu ite a bit in the 3D printing, authoring and bookmaking realms. I very much hope ever yone

3D PRINTING

LICENSE, DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY, AND LIMITED WARRANTY

Stephanie Torta

Jonathan Torta

MERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATION

Dulles, Virginia

Boston, Massachusetts

3D PRINTING

Copyright ©2019 by MERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATION. All rights reserved.

Publisher: David Pallai

M

ERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATION

22841 Quicksilver Drive

Dulles, VA 20166

info@merclearning.com www.merclearning.com (800) 232-0223 This book is printed on acid-free paper in the United States of America.

S. Torta and J. Torta.

ISBN-13: 978-1683922094

The publisher recognizes and respects all marks used by companies, manufacturers, and developers as a means to distinguish their products. All brand names and product names mentioned in this book are trademarks or service marks of their respective companies. Any omission or misuse (of any kind) of service marks or trademarks, etc. is not an attempt to infringe on the property of others.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019901183

Our titles are available for adoption, license, or bulk purchase by inst itutions, corporations, etc. For additional information, please contact the Customer Service Dep t. at (800) 232-0223 (toll free). Digital versions of our titles are available at: www.academiccourseware.com and other e-vendors.

The sole obligation of

M ERCURY LEARNING AND INFORMATION to the purchaser is to replace the disc, based on defective materials or faulty workmanship, but not based on the operation or functionality of the product.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSv

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Stephanie Torta

There were many people who helped with the making of . Although there are too many to name, I would like to mention a few whose support went above and beyond. First, I would like to say a big, “Thank you," to my brother who is an incredible coauthor. His eagerness to learn, intelligences, and willingness to pass on that knowledge have always inspired me. Writing this book together only increased that feeling. It was a privileg e and an honor to work together on this book with him. Thank you to Cara w ho really should be listed as a coauthor for all her incredible help in bringing this book together. Thank you to Eric, Michelle, Kristin, Kristen, Rachel, Dave, and Colleen for their friendship and insight in the publishing world. To all my friends who gave us their support and let me talk endlessly about the bo ok. To everyone who took the time to share their knowledge with quotes and inte rviews for the book. And most of all, I would like to give thanks to my mother; without her support this book would not have been possible. Thank you!

Jonathan Torta

An amazing thank you to all who made this book a reality. I never knew how much went into a book and now I do. To my sister and her patience who was the main mover of this entire enterprise going far beyond author and tou ching every aspect of this book and had to deal with me learning on the fly. To my wife Cara and mother Diana who corrected the many typographical mistakes and wrangled the words far beyond my own capability and much more. To my good friends Jen, Dave, and Dale that not only gave me support but also inter esting projects and stories to add to this book. They keep me on my toes and pu sh my limits with their interesting ideas and projects. And to Eric and other fellow

3D printers who were kind enough to give us insights on how they use the

se amazing devices in their businesses and also shared their stories. This book was a much larger project then I ever thought it would be and it required al l to com plete it. Thank you!

CONTENTSvii

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part 1 - An Overview of 3D Printing

CH1 - A Brief Overview of 3D Printing

CH2 - 3D Printer Use in Industry

CH3 - 3D Printers and Education

viii

CH4 - Do-It-Yourself 3D Printing

CH5 - Types of 3D Printers

CH6 - Printable Materials including FDM Filament

CH7 - Applications and Slicing Settings

CONTENTSix

Summary

184

Applying What You've Learned

184

CH8 - Getting Started

185

8.1 - How do I obtain a 3D Model?

186

8.2 - What are some of the differences between file formats?

188

8.3 - How do I condition or repair a 3D Model for slicing?

189

8.4 - When do I slice my 3D model?

190

8.5 - Should I use a 3D printing service?

191

8.6 - What do I look for in a printer?

196

Summary

201

Applying What You've Learned

201

CH9 - Setting Up to Print

203

9.1 - How do I slice my 3D model?

204

9.2 - Do I have to worry about safety and ventilation?

208

9.3 - Why do I need to run hardware tests?

210

9.4 - How can I transfer my file to my printer?

216

9.5 - What happens during a print? Is there anything I need to watch out for?

217

9.6 - Are there ways to remotely monitor my printer?

218

Summary

219

Applying What You've Learned

219

Part 2 - Using your 3D Printer .....................................................................221

CH10 - Calibration

223

10.1 - What is the importance of calibrating my printer?224

10.2 - The calibration project Mow CAL

224

10.3 - Where can I go for troubleshooting help?

236

Summary

237

Applying What You've Learned

237
x

CH11 - Buying and Calibrating Your Filament

CH12 - Challenges

CH13 - Refining and Finishing the Print

Part 3 - Knowledge Base

CH 14 - Buying and Modifying Your Printer

CONTENTSxi

CH15 -Maker Minds

321

15.1 - Collaborating with the maker community

322

15.2 - The maker community

326

Summary

330

Applying What You"ve Learned

330

Appendices

331

A - Extras

331

B - Glossary

337
Index 345

INTRODUCTIONxiii

INTRODUCTION

Introduction from the Maker

I have been 3D printing for just under 10 years, starting from a kit and moving to quite a few other printers along the way, always learning more and modify ing them along the way. Being a tinkerer, hobbyist and DIYer, 3D printing was a perfect match, allowing me to make useful parts and also being a hobby all in its own right. I am always learning more, but I've found that others have been coming to me for help and advice, and that my experience was valuable to the community. So, I helped out where I could on various forums and enthusiast groups. In making this book, I'm hoping to help many more people by g athering often repeated tips in a single place. In this process I also learned qu ite a bit in the 3D printing, authoring and bookmaking realms. I very much hope ever yone