3D printing
At FabLab Enschede we have about thirty 3D printers. With these printers, you can go from a digital 3D model (to a real-life product in just a few hours). 3D printing is excellent for fast prototyping and show your idea to others. Because of our wide variety of printers and materials in the FabLab, we can achieve results with various levels of detail, strength, and finishes in different budget ranges.
The FDM printers are easy to operate yourself after reading through this documentation and/or watching our instruction videos. You can prepare your design in your preferred 3D software, such as Solidworks, Fusion, or download one of the many free available 3D models from the 3D libraries, listed below.
When you come to FabLab you can prepare your design in the user-friendly software on one of our desktop computers. By using our tutorials and FabLab Wiki we are confident you will be able to do this without any assistance, but of course; don’t hesitate to ask our student assistants to help you out.
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Choose a 3D printer
It does not matter which technique is used, with 3d printing, the product is always built up from layers. But there are different ways and different materials it can be built with. Down below are a couple 3d printing types shown, these will inform you about what their differences are and it will teach you about which type you should choose depending on the usage of the object.
- FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), a string of plastic is extruded/pushed through a hot nozzle while the nozzle is being moved over the build plate. By doing so the first and bottom layer of the design is created. When the first layer is done printing, the bed will lower (or the nozzle will rise) to make room for the second layer. This technique is most common. -- Click here for more practical information about FDM printing --
- SLA (Stereo Lithography Apparatus), a photosensitive liquid resin is cured locally with high-energy light (often UV). This technique is more specialized in getting small details. -- Click here for more practical information about SLA printing --
Design a 3D model
Design and create your own model in a 3D design software: Solidworks - Fusion - FreeCAD - TinkerCAD - Inventor - Blender
Make use of 3D models libraries: Printables - Thingiverse - Makerworld - YouMagazine - Pinshape - MyMiniFactory - Cults3D - Grabcad
Make a 3D printed product
The basic steps you have to do to get a 3D print, are:
- Slice your 3D design (stl/3mf file): Begin by setting up your 3D model using software like Cura. Adjust settings as needed for your desired outcome.
- Export to printer: export the G-code to a device, such as an SD card or an USB.
- Prepare the printer: Insert the carrier, power up the FDM printer, and set temperature parameters.
- Start printing: Initiate the print process trough the control panel or software interface.
- Retrieve the print: Once finished, carefully remove your completed print from the printer's bed.
The costs of the 3D printers is calculated by the weight of your print.
Available materials
- FDM printer: PLA in various colours - most used!, PETG - stronger, TPU - flexibel.
- SLA: Clear, Rigid, Flex
Specifications of the 3D printers
The table below provides a overview of their key specifications, including print volume, layer resolution, and supported materials. Delve into the specifics to make logic decisions for your 3D project.
| Properties | Ultimaker 2 Extended+ | Ultimaker 2+ | Prusa Core One | Bambulab X1C | Bambulab H2D | Bambulab H2S | Prusa XL | Formlabs Form2 | Formlabs Form3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working volume [mm] | 223 x 223 x 305 | 223 x 223 x 205 | 250 x 210 x 270 | 256 x 256 x 256 | 325 x 320 x 325 | 340 x 320 x 340 | 360 x 360 x 360 | 145 x 145 x 145 | 145 x 145 x 185 |
| Print resolution [μm] | 20 - 200 | 20 - 200 | 50-350 | 50 - 200 | 80 - 280 | 80 - 280 | 20 - 200 | ||
| Print speed [mm/s] | 100 | 300 | 200 | up to 500 | 1000 | 1000 | up to 200 | ||
| Material diameter [mm] | 2.85 | 2.85 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 1.75 | ||
| Material capacity [spools] | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Layer thicknesses [mm] | Default: 0,1
Optional: 0.06 - 1.5 - 0.2 |
0.02 - 0.6 | 0.05 - 0.35 | 0.05 - 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.02 - 0.3 | Range: 0.025 - 0.1 | Range: 0.025 - 0.3 |
| Amount | 5 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Safety
- The nozzle of the printer can be even hotter, reaching a maximum temperature of 280 degrees. Be aware of the danger when trying to clean debris of the nozzle, always use tools or gloves instead of your bare hands. When using these tools be very careful to not damage any parts of the machine.
- The printing bed is heated while printing, so before removing your print, make sure the bed has sufficiently cooled down.
- Both the build plate and the print head can move very suddenly, so don’t put your hands (or any other body parts) within the closed cage while the machine is running.
- FDM printers do not produce food safe prints, even if a food safe material is printed. FDM leaves tiny holes in the print; if these holes get contaminated with bacteria, it is not possible to remove them. To developing products for food safe applications using FDM, you use the prints as a mold to cast objects with a food safe material.