3D printing or dispel myths
I am going to tell you about ten 3D Print technologies you do not know about. Every day I communicate with people, I describe a lot. The audience is the most motley of different ages and hobbies, education, and education. All of them are very interesting and successful in their way. Well, that’s not the point.
I notice that when I start looking at the topic of 3D printing, many people become interested and are happy to support the conversation. Yes, sometimes so active that even the eyes of the interlocutor begin to shine! The topic is relevant and exciting, but what do I most often hear?
The first myth. “3D printing is difficult. It takes a long time to delve into and understand.”
I hasten to reassure you, dear friends. There is nothing complicated here; even a schoolboy will understand. The main thing is not to be afraid to overcome the so-called “entry threshold,” or rather, thresholds or even a small step, taking action towards which you will discover a new world, very fascinating and exciting. And now, first things first.
So, to start printing 3D models, we need to purchase a 3D printer – is it logical? And the second myth follows from here.
The second myth. “3D printing is expensive. I won’t pull it.”
Oops! I can reassure you about this. The time has already come when the cost of an entry-level 3D printer is almost equal to the price of a smartphone. And we don’t need an industrial super-duper yet. Every year we change our phone to a new one, many more than that. Is it essential? And maybe buying a 3D printer will please you more? I am sure of it! You won’t lose your status by sitting in the bar and complaining about the “old” gadget lying next to you on the corner of the table, not changed this month.
Glamour is not what lies in your pocket. It is what you are and what you stand for. But, something I was distracted. And so, what do we need to know about a 3D printer before buying it?
In this article, I will not bother you with all the existing types and subspecies of 3D printers, as well as options for their execution and modifications. If necessary, all this is with an overabundance in the vastness of the network.
We will primarily be interested in FDM printers, as the most affordable and common. FDM technology involves the creation of three-dimensional objects by applying successive layers of material (plastic in our case). Here are some links to inexpensive, popular 3D printer models. As you know, buying them is cheaper than Chinese. In our stores, you can also take, but you will get the same Chinese printer for one and a half, or even double price. You decide.
Creality Ender 3
FLSUN QQ-S
ANET A8
Fun 3D
Flying bear-Ghost4S
So! We brought the long-awaited, the best 3D printer in the world.
You assembled it according to the instructions (often, the seller puts the link to the video). By the way, collecting these devices from the box is very simple if you have ever had a screwdriver in your hand. I remember I assembled my first Ender-3 in the evening. And as it should print until the morning. Remember how at one time, many tried to observe the operation of a washing machine when these monsters came to our homes and deprived their wives of routine work?
You didn’t do that? Not? I, too!.
To business printer assembled, so what next? Easy peasy! You need to draw a model that we will print, or download the finished one, of which hundreds of thousands are waiting for you on the sites.
Draw on the account. I think this is a topic for a separate article. There are software monsters such as 3D Max or SOLIDWORKS, but I will not bother you for now. Moscow did not immediately build, and everything has its time.
Take your time, just a couple of steps, and we are on target!
The 3D printer itself is a dumb device. It does not understand our downloaded file and what to do with it. The printer needs to explain everything step by step: how, where, and at what speed to move the nozzle, how much plastic to squeeze out, and much more. Fortunately for us, there are special small programs called slicers. There are a great many of them now, and it is also rather a separate topic for discussion. And for now, it will be enough for us to download UltimakerCura, for example. Download from the official site and use wholly and legally free.
The fact is that Cura preset settings allow you to choose your printer model, type of material (plastic), and start working almost immediately. There is nothing complicated in this program (there are a lot of videos on the topic on YouTube), and I repeat that we convert our downloaded .stl file through a slicer into a .gcode format file, write it to a USB flash drive or connect the printer to a computer for 3D printing.
All! You can print. After all, have you already connected the printer to the network and filled it with filament (plastic)? I can not resist, I will say a few words about the plastic for 3D printing.
The third myth. “3D printing – I will go broke on consumables.”
And no! Plastic prices are quite affordable. All that you need to know about filament for 3D printing is that they are all different, with different properties, different rates, and a great many of them. Descriptions of the most popular, I will give below. I have links to stores on my site.
ABS
PLA
PETG
Nylon
HIPS
Well, that’s all that I wanted to tell you today. Nothing complicated, as promised. The rest is up to you, as in the song “.. think for yourself, decide for yourself – to have or not to have …”.