How to print in 3D? A beginner's guide to 3D printing

What is 3D printing?

3D printing is the process of creating a three-dimensional object, usually performed by systematically layering material on top of one another. The printer reads a digital file from the computer, which dictates how layers of material are layered to build the object.

Therefore, 3D printing is also known as additive manufacturing. 3D printing and additive manufacturing are largely synonymous, although you may more often hear about additive manufacturing in the context of mass consumption or mass production.

How to print in 3D?

Depending on the specific work you plan to do, there may be more or fewer steps in your process. But generally speaking, 3D printing involves the following:

Step 1: Create or find a project

The first step in 3D printing usually starts on a computer. You need to create your design using 3D design software, usually CAD software (Computer-Aided Design ). If you are unable to create the design yourself, you can also find many free designs online with free patterns.

Step 2: Export the STL file

After creating or selecting a design, you need to export or download the STL file. An STL file stores information about your conceptual object.

Step 3: Select materials

You can usually have an idea of the type of material you want to use before printing. There are many different 3D printing materials that you can choose based on the properties you want your the object had. We'll discuss this in more detail below.

Step 4: Select parameters

The next step is to select various parameters for your model and printing process, including determining print size and placement.

Step 5: Create Gcode

Then you import the STL file into cutting software, such as BCN3D Stratos. The slicing software will convert the information from the STL file to Gcode, which contains specific instructions for the printer.

Step 6: Print

This is when the magic happens! The printer will create the object layer by layer. Depending on the size of the object, your printer and the materials used, the job can be done in a few minutes or a few hours. Depending on what you want your final product to be or the material used, you may need to perform some additional post-processing steps after printing, such as painting, sanding, etc.

What is 3D printing used for?

3D printing can be used both recreationally and professionally in a variety of industries. It is used in many different fields and sectors, from medical industry to production and industry and even automotive industry. Increasingly, 3D printing is being seen as a sustainable and wallet-friendly solution for creating prototypes and tools for various designs and production processes. Traditionally, sourcing prototypes can be time-consuming and expensive, requiring companies to rely on third-party manufacturers. 3D printing allows companies to quickly create tools or a prototype, all in-house.

A perfect example is the Camper shoe company. 3D printing within the company allowed them to transform their nearly one-and-a-half-month modeling and design process into an operation lasting only a few days.

3D printing for beginners - how to start?

So, what do you need and how to start 3D printing? Your specific needs will depend on why and what you want to print, but in general there are three factors to get started:

• 3D printer
• Filament
• 3D printing software

If you plan to create your own designs, you will also need the appropriate design software. But as we mentioned earlier, you can also find many free designs online to download.

Filaments for a 3D printer

The material, also called filament, that you choose for printing will depend on many different factors:

• Do you want your facility to be flexible?
• Heat resistant?
• Is it supposed to be very durable?

These are just some of the factors to consider when choosing a filament.

Generally speaking, most beginners start with PLA filament. This is because PLA is economical and usually easy to print with a standard setup. Depending on the specific project, PLA may be a good 3D printing material for beginners.

PET-G filament is also considered a beginner-friendly material, although it is a bit more technical than PLA. However, it works perfectly in industries such as engineering and manufacturing. It is good for functional prototypes because it can withstand higher temperatures and has a different chemical composition that is ideal for these applications.

3D software

There are two important types of 3D printing software - CAD and cutting software. Typically, you can use any CAD system that can create a functional model. CAD is essential if you want to create your own models and objects. You must be able to export the STL file from your CAD software. Cutting software is the other part of the equation. This software translates the STL file into a language that the printer can understand. Gcode contains motion information that tells the printer how and where to move the axes, as well as how much material to apply. Gcode is sent to the printer via SD card or wifi.

How to print in 3D? Summary

3D printing is now more beginner-friendly than ever before. In the beginning, many people saw 3D printing as something inaccessible to the general public, but that opinion is changing, and for a good reason. While it takes practice to perfect your prints and technique, learning 3D printing is a skill that can be achieved.