15
votes
Accepted
Good (preferably free) Beginner Software for Part Creation?
I don't have a heavy math background, but enjoy using such skills when applicable.
If you've not yet explored OpenSCAD, you may find that it meets your qualifications. It's more or less a scripting/...
- 10k
15
votes
Accepted
Why do some models appear broken in slicing software?
My understanding is that this occurs when the object is not a true solid. Since an STL holds the triangulation of each face and spline, the slicing engine is not "smart" enough to determine ...
- 6,214
14
votes
How to achieve dimensional accuracy of printed parts
Unfortunately, different firmwares and different slicers require different calibration techniques! There's a lot of software-specific advice out there, like printing a single-wall calibration box and ...
- 6,446
14
votes
What are the ideal print conditions for polypropylene?
Polypropylene CAN be printed with excellent results, you just need a good filament roll and good printing setup.
A few days ago I read this topic and was kind of afraid of testing it, now I am so ...
- 141
12
votes
Bed leveling method?
There are several ways.
1) Simplest is the business card/paper method.
This video shows how simple it is: Leveling the platform
You should feel the same amount of resistance between the hotend and ...
- 934
10
votes
Accepted
How to achieve dimensional accuracy of printed parts
I think the best way to go about this would be to calibrate your printer and slicer as best you can. One of my pet peeves is when people upload STLs that have been adjusted to fit their printer/...
- 2,090
9
votes
How do people load filament, prime the printhead, flush out the old filament when changing colors when using a standalone 3D printer?
My printer (IdeaWerk 150) is very basic and doesn't have any options for this from the screen.
I wrote a really simple GCODE file that brings the nozzle up to temperature, then runs the extruder for ...
- 231
8
votes
What are the ideal print conditions for polypropylene?
Polypropylene is a bear to print. There's a good reason almost nobody does it. The main problem is that it's a semi-crystalline material, which means it doesn't follow the normal rules for warping ...
- 6,446
7
votes
How to achieve dimensional accuracy of printed parts
I think it's important to remember that a 3D printer is both an R&D tool and a piece of manufacturing equipment. As such, we should treat it and it's process similarly to other pieces of ...
- 6,214
6
votes
Accepted
What does a "3 h5" mean in reference to the axle of a motor?
I think it's a reference to a tolerance. Look at this ISO table. This States that the nominal diameter of 3mm is held to a tolerance of +-0.004mm.
@DarthPixel provided some great links identifying ...
- 6,214
6
votes
What is a good strategy for removing 3d prints from an UNheated Glass bed?
Because you will be printing on unheated glass, you will be using some form of adhesive material. If you use an off-the-shelf glue stick, you will likely find it is water soluble. If the bed is ...
- 10k
5
votes
Accepted
How can I calculate volumetric speed for Slic3r auto speed?
Auto speed is calculated from maximum volumetric speed in mm3 per second. If you normally print at 80 mm/s, your extrusion width is 0.5 mm and you are printing 0.2mm high layers, your volumetric speed ...
- 116
5
votes
Comparative design methods for joints that will be joined together
One of my favorite techniques is to join pieces with screws, and include a tapered feature that helps align the parts. A single screw can give a very strong joint, that is well-aligned and won't twist....
- 14.5k
5
votes
Bed leveling method?
The easiest way I know of (unless your printer has a Z-probe and automatic leveling), is to bring the nozzle(s) down fairly close to the bed (maybe 1/4" or so), and then move it around while watching ...
- 3,181
5
votes
Maker Select Plus 3D Printer Head Size Settings for Cura
TL;DR
The settings that you seem to need can be found here: Print One At a time settings? CURA:
You actually can!
Providing that none of your object is too tall (taller than the Gantry
...
- 5,727
4
votes
Good (preferably free) Beginner Software for Part Creation?
The software I began with was Tinkercad, it is a fully online solution that is very beginner friendly. The interface is trivial to use and there's a 15 minutes tutorial that guides you over everything ...
- 141
4
votes
Good (preferably free) Beginner Software for Part Creation?
I recommend Fusion 360 as it is free to use, full of tutorials and is super simple.
- 41
4
votes
How do people load filament, prime the printhead, flush out the old filament when changing colors when using a standalone 3D printer?
RepRap based printers use LCD modules with control button and SD card. You can trigger operations like
nozzle heating (to change filament)
extrude filament
home axis to caliber bed level
...
Most ...
- 1,911
4
votes
Accepted
What should I think about if I want to design something modular?
All printers are designed with an idea of WYSIWYG for sure. Depending on:
printer - type/quality/settings/configuration/assembly precission
filament - type/quality/shrinkage
user skills - manual/...
- 3,438
3
votes
Why do some models appear broken in slicing software?
Some STLs aren't exported properly from the CAD software.
Use a repair tool or service like https://modelrepair.azurewebsites.net .
The repaired STL shouldn't have those issues anymore.
- 383
3
votes
How do people load filament, prime the printhead, flush out the old filament when changing colors when using a standalone 3D printer?
I have two different printers that can print un-tethered. The first is a Prusa inspired machine with an LCD and the second is a printrbot without an LCD.
The reprap machine uses a ramps 1.4 board ...
- 403
3
votes
How do people load filament, prime the printhead, flush out the old filament when changing colors when using a standalone 3D printer?
There are options for tablets. They are running software (for example) on some device that has internal storage, wifi, USB connection etc.
You can buy a new tablet, or reuse your old one just to be a ...
- 701
3
votes
How do people load filament, prime the printhead, flush out the old filament when changing colors when using a standalone 3D printer?
I know that my RoBo 3D has the ability to run untethered once the gcode file is saved to the SD card attached to the ramps board. It does have to be attached to the computer to start the print at ...
- 141
3
votes
Bed leveling method?
After the first leveling, I usually don't need to touch it for long time, even if my bed structure is of wood and could warp in time.
I guess you need to adjust it because you turn on the heating and ...
- 3,806
3
votes
Good (preferably free) Beginner Software for Part Creation?
Blender is a free professional level application, where maths isn't particularly necessary but can be used to good effect, and its minimum requirements aren't all that excessive (my copy of Blender ...
- 5,727
3
votes
What should I think about if I want to design something modular?
A book you would benefit from reading is "Functional Design for 3D Printing...Designing 3D Printed things for everyday use - 2nd Edition" by Clifford Smyth.
It deals with FDM printing only. It ...
- 241
3
votes
Accepted
How to add tolerances/gaps in 123d Design?
Unfortunately, 123D Design doesn't have such a feature.
You could select multiple surfaces and push/pull them all at the same time though.
Remember, your 3D Printer's slicer should have an option to ...
3
votes
Set the overhang parameter in Blender 3D printing tool box
You are looking at overhangs in the design tool. What matters are overhangs when printing.
When designing the object, the coordinate system is convenient for working with the object. Before slicing,...
- 4,418
2
votes
Good (preferably free) Beginner Software for Part Creation?
I am using DesignSpark Mechanical. It's super cool and easy to use.
DesignSpark Mechanical Download Page
- 392
2
votes
Good (preferably free) Beginner Software for Part Creation?
OpenSCAD sounds like the best fit for the original poster given his math background but I think SketchUp is probably the easiest software for most beginners to use for basic part creation.
There are ...
- 1,503
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible