3d printing for Dummies

[Lee White]

Hi gang,

Im thinking about trying my hand at 3d printing, nothing big, mostly cockpit bits that are mostly flat, and 2 dimensional except for buttons and bezels. I am pretty clueless when it comes to computers, can I solicit advice on small printers, materials, and software geared toward the novice? Thanks.

 

                                               Lee

[scvrobeson]

Same. It's a really cool technology, I just have no idea how to get started with it.

 

 

 

Matt 

[Dandiego]

Small detailed parts will need a resin printer.

 

Small flat parts is exactly where you should start.

 

Go Lee, go.

 

Dan

[Dandiego]

My first printer was a Phrozen Sonic mini.

 

I use Fusion 360 for cad. Very powerful,  and yes there is a learning curve. 

 

Dan

[csavaglio]

There's a pretty steep learning curve. 

 

I would suggest watching a lot of beginners videos first before buying anything. I like using chitubox to manipulate the objects orientation, supports and raft, then using the native slicer to slice it and send it to the printer. The programs are freeware unless you upgrade, so you can find some free objects to play with and support before putting any money in. Then start messing with CAD and designing your own parts. I think the cad part is the biggest learning curve.

 

When you start to get a feel for what features you want/need, you can pick out a printer. There is a big range of quality both in hardware and interfaces. Everyone has preferences based on their own experience and others. 

 

Figuring out settings can be a big challenge when you're new and you have to deal with it every time you switch resins to get them dialed in.  There are test tools to help but you have to learn to read them. 

 

The resin is generally toxic and cleaning the prints after printing takes special handling and 99% alcohol. There are water clean ones, but they don't print as well and you still have to be careful cleaning.. The resin can't go down the drain. 

 

Honestly, it's overwhelming and time consuming to figure out.  I researched it for years off and on before I finally took the plunge. I just got my second printer about 6 months ago. 

 

One of your YouTube channels I like is geared toward fantasy/Warhammer/dnd minis, which have similar needs to scale model stuff. He gets a bit of a bad wrap sometimes but I've found his reviews and how to videos really good.  His names Fauxhammer. He's very watchable and breaks things down well. 

 

Bottom line, it's a lot of new skills and stuff to learn. I don't want to put you off, I always just like going into something knowing it's gonna be a lot.  It's not as simple as pour resin in and hit ctrl-p, like I think a lot of folks think.

[Finn]

As mentioned check out YouTube, there are reviews of various printers and Slicer programs out there. It is best to start simple but one that will meet your needs. There are several sites that offer files for free, like Thingiverse and Cults 3D, if the object is not in the scale you want, you just resize it and you can get good results even with filament printers.

 

Jari

[red Dog]

my curve for a SLA printer was

 

0. watch a lot of tutorial

1. select a good printer (i chose the elegoo saturn3 but any will do) mind the max printing area if you plan to do large pieces

2. select a good resin and stick to it as long as you're a newbee (i chose elegoo fast resin but flavours may vary)

3. level your printer

4. spend a lot of time calibrating for that specific resin until you grasp perfectly the concept exposure time, lift speed and lift distance - change the resin, redo the calibration process

5. learn a 3D software ( I use the hobby free version of Fusion 360)

6. learn a slicer software (I'm still on chitubox free version)

7. scratch your head on each project about these supports finding the best possible way to support your piece

8. marvel at the magic of it everytime you print one of your creations

9. eventually get a cleaning/curing machine 

10. should be higher in the list but protect your hands and your respiratory system - in a specific room if you have that luxury -  work in a well ventilated area wearing a good mask and nitril gloves...at all times

 

That curve is very steep (i'm still climbing) and requires a lot of time, discipline (especially on the mask and glove thing) but it's also very satisfying and very constructive for nowadays a very reasonnable budget 

 

 

[Finn]

Another item i would like to add if i may to the above list:

 

11. learn from failures, figure out how the print failed and what you can do to fix it for next time.

 

Jari