How to Design for 3D Printing

Hi. My name is Dylan Rambow

I have been 3D printing for half a year for the community and small businesses. Did you know that learning 3D Printing could save you money and even make money? I’m going to teach you in 15 easy steps how to go from an idea to a physical object. That way you can make things and learning to start a small business in 3D modeling and printing.

Supplies

For 3D Printing, you will need a 3D printer, a PC, any modeling

the software you prefer, a micro SD card or octoprint like I have, and the program “Cura Slicer” in order to make a custom part ready to be printed.

Making the Part

Open the computer and start your preferred 3d

modeling program. Start a new project to start making your part. You can make whatever you wish to print here.

Export to STL

Once finished save and export to an STL file. These are the files the slicer can read in order to tell the printer where to go when printing.

Slicing File Wirth CURA

Open the “CURA” program. Once the program is open drag the file

over the window into the blank area. This opens the file and prepares it to be sliced.

Some settings have to be changed to help print the object. Supports are needed if there is an angle that is more than 45 degrees. This helps the printer and prevents the overhang from falling over. Once everything looks great and the computer doesn’t mark any flags click “Slice” and the computer will produce a file for the printer. Always check the “Prepare” tab to double-click the finished project. Finally, click “Print With Octoprint”

Preparing the Print Bed

Turn on the printer and while it is warming up, pour some rubbing alcohol on the bed and wipe it with a paper towel to clean off any dust that may impact the print.

Open OctoPrint

Open Octoprint and monitor the print. Always watch the first layer to make sure it adheres to the bed to have a successful print.

Wait for Print to Finish

During this process go about the day and wait for the object to finish.

Remove Part

Once the print is done wait for the heat bed and hotend to cool. Finally, remove the part

and supports (If Used). Now you will have your own part as a physical object.