Getting Started with a 3D Printer - Make: 3D Printing - page 5

Moving to kits, both the Printrbot and Ulti-
maker are examples of printers that arrive as
kits to be assembled by the end user. Both
feature great instructions, and assembly is
focused on mechanical construction, since
both include all electronics pre-soldered and
ready to go.

to make into a set of primitive shapes and
elements in the modeler, such that the result
is possible to print. For example, any over-
hang shallower than about 45° cannot be
printed without support material (which
consumes material that will be tossed, in-
creases print time, and requires significant
cleanup) because the plastic will sag (the ac-
tual angle varies from printer to printer and
depends on how you configure the slicer).
Alternatively, models can be generated us-
ing a parametric CAD program , of which
OpenSCAD is quite popular. Instead of draw-
ing what you desire, you write code in a sim-
ple language that tells the CAD system what
you want.

If you're interested in the full DIY experience,
both the RepRap and the Rostock printers
are entirely DIY. Both printers are composed
of a combination of 3D-printed parts and
various metal or wood bits, along with some
electronics. You can order preprinted parts
kits from a variety of sources (eBay included).
Electronics and/or mechanical packs are
available, too. Generally, the more cutting-
edge the printer version, the more parts
you'll need to source.
In “3D Printer Anatomy” on page 7 , you'll find
an overview of 3D printer anatomy, breaking
down positioning systems, parts, and fila-
ment.

Many of the mathematics-targeted pack-
ages like Mathematica can also produce STL
files.

Models can also be generated from photo-
graphs or videos. Autodesk's 123D Catch can
process a series of photos and turn them into
a 3D model (see Chapter 6 ). With an iPhone
or iPad, you can take up to 40 pictures of a
model using 123D and then upload them to
a server that processes the images into a 3D
model. Note that Autodesk also released
123D Make , which slices 3D models into
plans for constructing the model out of card-
board or paper.
Often the model for what you want has al-
ready been created by someone who shared
it online. The most popular repository for
pre-made models (and full-on projects) is
Thingiverse , where you can find thousands
of printable solutions for everyday prob-
lems: phone cradles, earbud holders, silver-
ware dividers, quadrocopters (yes, printable
quadros), camera parts, game pieces, print-
able 3D printers, etc. You name it, there are

Software

The workflow for turning an idea into a 3D
print can be summed up as model (or cap-
ture ), fixup , slice , and print . At each step, there
are multiple software solutions to choose
from.

Generating STL files
STL files are the lingua franca of the 3D print-
ing world. If an application can export a 3D
model as an STL file, then that STL file can be
sliced and printed. STL files can be generated
using a CAD program . SketchUp is quite
popular, as are a number of open source 3D
modelers.

Regardless of which modeler you choose,
expect the learning curve to be steep. The
key challenge is to translate what you want