Foreword
3D printing is the creation of a real object, in the 3 dimensions, using a machine that will "print" these objects by melting several layers on top of each other.
You can imagine it a bit like an inkjet printer, where the ink is injected onto the sheet, which works in 2 dimensions (from top to bottom, and from left to right).
A 3D printer adds a third dimension, by lowering the layer that has just been printed a certain distance into the third dimension, and then printing a layer above that again.
The three dimensions are represented by X, Y and Z :
- X from left to right
- Y from top to bottom
- Z the extra layers coming on top of each other
How is printing done?
So, a 3D printer does not differ much from your known printer on your computer, and just like the printer on your computer needs a 'driver' so that Windows, Linux or MacOs knows how to communicate with your printer, our 3D object must also be converted to Printer language before our printer knows how to create this object.
So we start from a 3D design. This is a bit like a drawing, but with the difference, like the comparison of the inkjet with the 3D printer, that this computer drawing also includes the third dimension to represent the object. On our page https://www.3dsupplies.be/waar-vind-ik-gratis-cad-programmas-om-mijn-3d-objecten-te-ontwerpen/ you can find several free drawing programs with which you can draw these 3D objects. Or you can start from an already drawn object, which you can find on different sites on the internet, take a look at the list https://www.3dsupplies.be/waar-vind-ik-leuke-3d-ontwerpen-om-te-printen/.
These 3D drawn files also have their own format, like you have 2D drawings and photos in JPG, PNG, etc., are 3D designs to be processed with 3D printers, designated with the extension STL or OBJ.
To convert this 3D drawing to the printer language, a program called 'SLICER' is used. A translation of 'dividing into layers'. In fact, this slicer, which is set according to your type of printer (size of the volume it can print, temperature needed to melt the plastic,...) will divide your design completely in memory in the career that the print head must follow to make a solid object, layer by layer. The best known Slicer softwares are Cura and Simplify3D. When you buy a 3D printer, the stick that comes with the printer usually contains a version of Cura, whether or not slightly modified by the manufacturer so that their name is given, and of course the settings for your printer. If you have lost this slicer, or if you want to take a look at how it works, you can for example download Cura by clicking here.
Once you have your slicer open, and the settings of your printer are correct, you will normally see the 'workspace', a digital representation of the maximum volume you can print with your printer into which you load your 3D drawing.
Once the STL (or OBJ) file is loaded, it is normally displayed in the center of your print bed (the print bed is the plate, which is usually heated to better hold the object during printing, on which the printer will spray its first layer of plastic).
You can use the slicer to select the quality of print you want (coarse, fine, superfine,...), which of course will determine the time needed to make your print, and the type of plastic you want to use, as different plastics, different temperatures and speeds of print can be handled. The most common plastics are normally already pre-programmed in your slicer. Once you get used to working with the slicer, you will soon learn how to add your own plastics and their properties to adapt the slicer to your needs. On YouTube you will also find a huge number of videos explaining how to use a slicer. But mostly in english.
Preparing the printer
Once you have unpacked the printer, and, if applicable, completed the necessary assembly steps, you will of course want to see what that thing can do as soon as possible. But, as always, rush and hurry are seldom good. And some thoughtfulness is recommended.
Before you can print, you need to align the print bed with the X and Y movement that your print head makes over the bed. This is called bed alignment ("leveling" in english). In the manual of your printer you will find an explanation of how this alignment should be done. After all, some printers have a measuring system that measures how far the bed is from the print head, and then corrects the necessary calculations and movements in the printer's own software for a good print.
Once your print bed is adjusted, you can start printing.
Just preheat the print head to the melting temperature of your plastic, load the plastic into the printer according to the manual and you're on your way.
If you only want to see movies of how to use printers the first time, you can find some examples below:
in Dutch : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NtZHGYpeEI
In French: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AbovudN1vc and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNjNls97wt0
In English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LBTkLsjHGQ
Do you still have questions, or would like to ask another question?
There is a Dutch language forum around 3D printing, question and answer: 3DPrintForum (Dutch)