3D Printing: Build Your Own 3D Printer and Print Your Own ...

1 3D PRINTING. Build your OWN 3D Printer AND. Print your OWN 3D OBJECTS. James Floyd Kelly 800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240 USA. 3D Printing ii Editor-in-Chief 3D Printing: Build your Own 3D Printer and Print your Own 3D Objects Greg Wiegand Executive Editor Copyright 2014 by Pearson Education, Inc. Rick Kughen All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in Development a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, Editors photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from William Abner the publisher.

2 No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of Todd Brakke the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume Managing Editor no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for Sandra Schroeder damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. Project Editor ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-5235-2 Mandie Frank ISBN-10: 0-7897-5235-2. Copy Editor Library of Congress Control Number: 2013949972. Barbara Hacha Printed in the United States of America Indexer First printing October 2013.

3 Lisa Stumpf Trademarks Proofreader All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or Dan Knott service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Que Publishing cannot Technical Editor attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark. John Ray Publishing Warning and Disclaimer Coordinator Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate Kristen Watterson as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied.

4 The information provided Designer is on an as is basis. The author and the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or Mark Shirar damages arising from the information contained in this book. Compositor Mary Sudul Bulk Sales Que Publishing offers excellent discounts on this book when ordered in quantity for bulk purchases or special sales. For more information, please contact Corporate and Government Sales 1-800-382-3419. For sales outside of the , please contact International Sales iii Contents at a Glance Introduction 1.

5 CHAPTER 1 The Big Question What Is a 3D Printer ? 3. CHAPTER 2 Find Yourself a 3D Printer 17. CHAPTER 3 Assembly Assistance for the Printrbot Simple 29. CHAPTER 4 Configuring the Software 53. CHAPTER 5 First Print with the Simple 65. CHAPTER 6 Free 3D Modeling Software 83. CHAPTER 7 Creating a 3D Model with TinkerCad 105. CHAPTER 8 More 3D Modeling Tools 129. CHAPTER 9 Further Explorations 143. CHAPTER 10 Alternatives to the Printrbot Simple 151. CHAPTER 11 Where Do I Go from Here? 165. APPENDIX A 3D Printer and Modeling Resources 173.

6 Index 177. 3D Printing iv Table of Contents Introduction 1. Chapter 1 The Big Question What Is 3D Printing? 3. What Is a 3D Printer ? 3. Say Hello to Plastic! 6. Solid to Liquid 8. A Different Type of Motor 10. 3D Objects Require Three Axes 12. A Few Other Items 16. Chapter 2 Find Yourself a 3D Printer 17. 3D Printer Options to Consider 17. Initial Cost 18. Ease of Assembly and Tech Support 23. Operating System Compatibility 24. Cost and Type of Filament 25. Resolution/Nozzle Diameter 26. Print Bed Size and Leveling 27. Do your Homework 28.

7 Chapter 3 Assembly Assistance for the Printrbot Simple 29. Printrbot Simple Assembly Part I 30. Early Assembly Observations 32. Midway Through Assembly Observations 38. End of Assembly Observations 43. Connecting All Wires 48. Finishing Thoughts 50. Chapter 4 Configuring the Software 53. Types of 3D Printing Software 54. Downloading the Repetier Software 55. Repetier Settings 56. Slic3r 60. Chapter 5 First Print with the Simple 65. Downloading an STL 66. Connecting the Simple to Repetier 68. Table of Contents v Get the Hot End Up to Proper Temperature 70.

8 Slice your Object into Layers 71. Home the Hot End 73. Print ! 77. Upgrades! 82. Chapter 6 Free 3D Modeling Software 83. Tinkercad 84. Examining Tinkercad 85. Wrapping Up Tinkercad 104. Chapter 7 Creating a 3D Model with Tinkercad 105. Hello World 105. Printing a Sketch or Simple Image 122. Chapter 8 More 3D Modeling Tools 129. 123D Family of Apps 129. 123D Design 133. 123D Creature 135. 123D Sculpt 136. 123D Make 138. 123D Catch 139. Having Fun 141. Chapter 9 Further Explorations 143. Go Bake Some Cookies 143. Don't Forget the Youngest 3D Fans 146.

9 Around the House 147. Showing Off 147. OpenSCAD 148. Chapter 10 Alternatives to the Printrbot Simple 151. Build your Own 3D Printer 151. Consider 3D Printer Kits 154. Kickstarter and 3D Printers 156. Print -It-for-You Services 159. CNC and Laser Cutters 160. Scanning Objects 162. 3D Printing vi Chapter 11 Where Do I Go From Here? 165. CNC Machine 166. Laser Cutter 169. Plasma Cutter 171. The Workshop of the Future 172. Appendix A 3D Printer and Modeling Resources 173. Index 177. vii About the Author James Floyd Kelly is a technology writer with degrees in English and Industrial Engineering.

10 James has written on a wide variety of topics, including programming for kids, LEGO. robotics, open-source software, and building 3D printers. James is a DIYer a tinkerer and a maker who enjoys learning new skills whenever possible. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and two young boys. Dedication For Decker and Sawyer, my best projects ever Acknowledgments I read a book on writing once that said the life of a writer is a solitary one. That statement might be true for novelists, but for technology writers it's completely unfounded.