Rapid Prototyping machines are becoming a more and more popular way to fabricate a scale model of a physical part. Below encompasses the complete protocol to print a three-dimensional model on the Rapid Prototyping machine. The software automatically slices the file, generates any necessary support structures, writes boundary curves, generates tool paths.
Rapid Prototyping machines are becoming a more and more popular way to fabricate a scale model of a physical part. Below encompasses the complete protocol to print a three-dimensional model on the Rapid Prototyping machine. The software automatically slices the file, generates any necessary support structures, writes boundary curves, generates tool paths.
Rapid Prototyping machines are becoming a more and more popular way to fabricate a scale model of a physical part. Below encompasses the complete protocol to print a three-dimensional model on the Rapid Prototyping machine. The software automatically slices the file, generates any necessary support structures, writes boundary curves, generates tool paths.
Using the Rapid Prototyping Machine __________________________________________________________ Rapid Prototyping machines are becoming a more and more popular way to fabricate a scale model of a physical part using three-dimensional Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. Currently in the Learning Factory, a machine shop located on campus at Penn State University, teaching assistants and other staff members are having difficulty remembering the steps to a Rapid Prototype print job, especially as a new staff member. Below encompasses the complete protocol to print a three-dimensional model on the Rapid Prototyping Machine. Parts Necessary for Print Job: 1. Print board 2. Flash drive with STL (SolidWorks modelling software) file Double check before processing Print Job: Ink cartridges for both building and support material are full Board has adequate amount of blank space to print Student has budget and fund number Step 1. Import File to be Printed Begin by checking for print job placement on Rapid Prototyping print board. Once an empty spot has been detected, it is time to plug in the flash drive to the USB port of the computer. Open the program, Catalyst X and click File Insert to import the students STL file. Step 2. File Adjustment Now that the file has been imported into the CAD software, adjust the uploaded model so it prints in the appropriate manner. Under the Orientation tab, select Auto-Orient to position the model in such a way that utilizes the least amount of support material as possible, thereby reducing the cost for the student. Now click and drag the model on 2
the screen to a part of the board that has not already been printed on. Figure 1 shows what your model should resemble after auto-orienting.
Figure 1. Orienting Model
Step 3. Processing the Model Once the model is oriented properly, you are ready to send it to printer. Simply click on the process STL button on the bottom of your screen. Figure 2 is what you will see on the screen when processing the model. The software automatically slices the file, generates any necessary support structures, writes boundary curves, generates tool paths and creates the CMB file necessary to print the part. Figure is the image you will see where support structures are being placed. The red items are built with modeling material and the purple are where your support structures are being built. 3
Figure 2. Processing a Model 4
Figure 3. Support Structures being Placed Moving on to the Pack tab, you must either add the file to an existing pack print job or put it in the cue for a future print job. It all depends if there is space on the board and how soon the student needs the part. If it is decided that the part will be added to a new pack, then under the Rename tab, change the name so that pack name is identifiable if referenced at a separate time. Step 4. Printing the Job Now that the file has been processed and added to the pack, it is time to print the part. You can place as many files in the build platform as you can fit. Simply click Print when you are finished arranging your pack. Figure 4 shows what the screen will look like after adding the file to a pack. 5
Figure 4. Adding to Pack
The Dimension display panel and keypad is very basic consisting of a multiple-line LCD display on top and four single-line context sensitive displays, each with a corresponding button. The top line in the large display always reveals the machine status while the remaining three lines give details related to the current operation. Figure 5 shows the display panel and keypad of the Rapid Prototyping machine. 6
Figure 5. Display Panel and Keypad
Normally there will be an item blinking in the lower (context-sensitive) displays. The blinking line will be the print job you just sent to the machine, so press this button to begin the print job. Step 5. Logging Print Job Under the TA directory, click FDM Print Jobs to open the EXCEL sheet designed to log in the print job. After having the student fill in the tabs for project name, class, teacher, date, and budget and fund number, you must go in and enter your name, status of the print job, and cost of the operation. Finally, file Save the updated EXCEL sheet. Step 6. Billing Student Before you escape the unbearably hot 3D print room, it is essential that you do not forget to bill the student. Three-dimensional print jobs can be very costly, and these models do not pay for themselves. Under the TA directory, click Billing Entry and Internet Explorer should open a browser which will send the students information to 7
those in charge of keeping track of charging students expenditures at the Learning Factory Facility. Enter in the students information and click Submit Billing Entry at the bottom of the page. _____________________________________________________________________________________ While this process may seem strenuous right now, after a few weeks you will no longer need to reference these directions at all. Printing a model on the 3D Rapid Prototyping Machines can be done in these six steps, with little to no trouble. Just follow this instruction set to the best of your ability and the completed part should be finished in no time.