You are on page 1of 7

1

How to Complete a 3-D Print Job


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.

You might also like