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3D PRINTERS

Safety

3D printers are generally very safe. T he print extruder does heat to several hundred degrees and should not be touched. There will be a slight "hot plastic" smell when printing with ABS plastic. It's non-toxic but can be an irritant and the printer should be placed in an open area or near ventilation.

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Software

Tools & Equipment covers the tools for this module. The number of each tool is estimated for a group of up to 25 students to work simultaneously. This list is further broken down into:

  • Safety: the equipment necessary for safe operation of the tools.
  • Accessories: support items for the tools, including storage and maintenance materials.
  • Consumables: items needing regular replacement such as hot glue sticks, saw blades, etc.`

Technical Considerations

  • You need a minimum 24" x 24" of dedicated table or desk space.
  • If buying a kit, you’ll need 12-16 hours and skills in assembly and soldering.
  • Certain models may require a computer to operate the printer.
  • A 3D printer requires a grounded outlet.
  • 3D printing is not a particularly fast process. Speed almost entirely depends on the volume of plastic needed for the project. For example, a small whistle is mostly hollow and will print in around 5 minutes, while larger pieces can easily take hours.
  • The output of extrusion printers often requires a bit of cleanup by hand after printing.
  • While a computer is not required to print, makers will need access to one to create or download the files for printing.
  • Advanced printers can have more than one print head (extruder) that can print in multiple plastics at the same time. This allows printing in multiple colors or printing with more than one material in an object. When one material is water-soluble much more complex shapes can be printed. One example would be printing a wheel on an axle with water-soluble material separating them. When the material is dissolved the wheel can spin freely on the axle.
  • In lieu of a full 3D printer setup, consider sending your students’ work to service bureaus like Shapeways and Ponoko. They can print with more detail and in other materials such as metal, ceramics, and in full color. Price depends on material and the volume of the object.
  • It takes 1 to 3 hours to learn to use and maintain 3D printer. Initial setup and calibration takes several hours.
  • In addition to creating original 3D models, designs can also be freely downloaded from sites like Thingiverse.com.