3D printing
Bring the following to your reservation:
- Laptop that can view and modify the CAD file that you are trying to 3D print. It will also be used to check that you have the appropriate Safety Trainings for this reservation
- STL file of the model
- The ability to transport the file from that laptop to one of the BIDC 229 Computers (either a USB-A flash drive, any Cloud transfer program such as Dropbox or Google Drive, or emailing it to yourself after logging into the lab’s computers will work)
During this reservation, depending on the 3D printer used, you will use either Markforged Eiger or Formlabs PreForm to prepare your 3D print for 3D printing. At this point, the 3D print will be correctly oriented and, if necessary, modified, in order to successfully 3D print the model using the optimal 3D printer technology and 3D print material.
Some of our 3D printing technologies require post-processing, which involves the student cleaning the model after 3D printing and before part usage. Before leaving the 3D printing reservation (as you do not need to stay for the whole 3D print), make sure to reserve time on the appropriate post-processing machine.
The primary materials listed with each 3D printer are the materials that the lab regularly supplies and makes available for student use. If none of the materials stocked at the Bechtel Center are compatible with a given project, students are welcomed to bring in their own materials to use, provided students follow lab bring-your-own material procedures. Every new material must first be registered and approved as a chemical per the center’s chemical policy. See each 3D printer for specific details.
