How do you program the 3D printers

The basic idea is to start with a 3D model and slice it into layers based on your parameters. Then print each layer on top of each other, producing a 3D object. Every software might perform this differently, but the basic idea remains. For example at work we use Solid Works. The mechanical engineer draws the 3D model we want and exports it as a step file (an ISO 3D file standard). We import the step file into a program called ReplicatorG, which lets us control how the object will be sliced and filled, amongst other things. We process the object and just print it. Hope this helps some.

I rather imagined that it would be similar to integrating a solid with calculus. There must be however some algorithm available for placement of holes and hollows. Thanks for your insights.

John

Hi John,

I've not used a 3D printer before, but the general idea for creating the 3D model (and any holes or hollows) which is half of the story to getting a 3D printed object, is to draw a plan view out of 2D basic shapes (like rectangles and circles) and then the CAD software will let you extrude it vertically for example. Then you can draw another basic shape on any face of the extruded object, and extrude that in a chosen direction. To create the hollows, the extrusion is just done in the other direction, to push into the shape.

There are more options, but this is basically the technique that was (I suspect) pioneered originally in SolidWorks and now most software has a similar procedure.

In terms of measurements, usually it doesn't matter if the drawn shape is the wrong size, because then you pick corners or edges and draw lines as measurements and type in values, and the shape auto-squishes to the value you typed in.

Hi Shabaz,

Thanks for the insight and information. Your description gave me some good visual descriptions of how the process works. You indicated that the software used to make the drawing would conform the shape to the parameters for the edges and corners that are input not to the drawing specifically. It also sounds like it is necessary in many cases to perform multiple prints to get the finished object.  If I have miss-stated or misunderstood let me know.

Thanks John

Hi John,

I usually search if a model already exists for what I want to print. You can browse and search on http://www.thingiverse.com/ for that.

Doug's microSIM adapter is something generic enough, so it should already exist: http://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=microSIM&sa=

When making custom parts, as in the Forget Me Not challenge, I used SketchUp to draw the model.

From SketchUp, I exported the model as an *.stl which I could then import in Slic3r for slicing the model into layers.

The parameters of the layers are defined in the slicing software. You can define how tall a layer should be, if it should be solid, hollow or something in-between, etc ...

After slicing, you obtain a *.gcode file, which is a set of commands and coordinates being passed to the printer by the control software. I use Pronterface/Printrun.

The control software let's you control the printer manually as well, which is useful for calibration purposes or aborting a failing print.

Hope all of this helps

Frederick

Hi Frederick, Thank you very much for taking me through the process. I found the links you provided very interesting and if I actually get into 3D printing they will most certainly be useful. Now I better understand how the preprogramming and programming of the 3D printer works.

John

I like to use tinkercad to draw it, at autodesk123d.com, then I slice it with slic3r, then print it with repetier. All of these are needed to program it so to speak.

Hi Brad, Thanks for your suggestion. I will check out Tinkercad.

John

Hi John thanks for asking this question as i am the same as you were when you first asked it, at the moment i am in the process of building my own design printer which i have decided to add a small spindle motor to try engraving/cutting soft wood for radio control models along with a laser to try engraving with it or if i can get enough power to be able to cut foam sheet again for RC models.

at the moment i am getting to the end of the main build and will soon have to start doing the electronics for the spindle i have a usb controller that can run Mach3 which appears to be the main software most people use for mills and engravers, also i have a Rep Rap control board which i was going to use with a arduino board my problem is i do not know how to get the machine running without using both boards i know how to install both of them and then just unplug the one i am not using what i would like to do is be able to run just one system for all usages in place of having to keep unplugging the one i am not using, does anyone who has given help to John have any ideas how i can manage only using one board for all operations?

regards Poppy Ann.

ps i am not trying to save money by using only one of the boards as i have already bought them both.

Hi Poppy Ann,

It sounds like you have a really nice build going there. I would bet there are a lot of members who would like to learn more about what you are doing with your multi use 3D printer. Thanks for using this thread to ask your question to the experts. Welcome to E-14.

John