Remember, all printers are different and not created equally! Slicers and Printing Remember, all printers are different and not created equally!

What is a Slicer? Models are built up from serial planes. Slicers tell the printer how, when and where to extrude filament: How: how hot, how fast, etc. When: when should the filament be extruded Where: the X-Y locations that the nozzle should move to

G-Code Communicates with the Printer

The Two Components to a Slice The interface - allows you to prepare the arrangement and orientation of elements for printing on a virtual platform The ‘slicer’ - breaks-down the model in to layers of a specified thickness and writes the ‘g-code’ that controls the path that the extruder will take on each layer, how much filament is extruded, extruder temperature

Proprietary and Built-in Slicers Most established 3d printers come with software that integrates both components MakerBot Software Stratysus Mojo Software 3D Systems Cube Software

Open Source Slicers and Software Cura “the world’s most advanced 3D printer software” Open source Created initially for the Ultimaker Skeinforge Python scripts Open Source Created initially for the Rep Rap

Settings, Settings Everywhere!

Platform Temperature Effects how well the model adheres to the build-platform If temp too low - the plastic, particularly ABS, to peel off of the build platform

Extruder Temperature Effects how well the plastic will bind to itself as well the platform. If temp too low - plastic will cool too quickly and will not adhere to the previous layer. If temp too hot - layers will not be solidified before another layer is placed, resulting in a warped model.

Layer Height Effects how tall each layer laid down will be. Thicker layers will build models faster Thinner layers will build smoother models

Shell Thickness Effects how many full layers will be printed before starting in-fill More shells will produce a thicker outer layer and a stronger part Less shells will produce a faster but less sturdy part

Infill Density and Type Effects how the interior of your model will build Higher density infill builds more sturdy parts but takes longer and uses more material Lower density infill builds less sturdy parts but builds faster and uses less material

Nozzle Diameter Effects how wide the stream of plastic flowing from the tip will be Generally, shell thickness should be a multiple of the nozzle diameter

Build Speed Effects the way the plastic binds to itself almost as much as the extruder temperature does. Too quick - layers will not be solidified before another layer is placed, resulting in a warped model. Can also topple parts. Too slow – increased build time

Retraction Effects the way the plastic is pulled back when the nozzle is moving from one build area to another. Too much retraction and the next build area will not start properly Too little retraction and strings will be left between build areas

Some Things Just Can’t Build without Support

Choosing Your Orentation is IMPORTANT!

Support Settings Effects both how well the part will build as well as the finish of the part. Too much support - the part is less likely to warp, tilt or topple but will need more cleaning to the finish Too little support – the part may not build or will build with rough areas

MeshMixer Supports

Some Things Just Can’t Build at All! A Few Thoughts on Larger Protein Structures. . . Ribosome based on 1ffk.pdb contains about 65,000 atoms!

GFP Protein based on 1emb.pdb Designing for Complex Structures A Few Thoughts on Larger Protein Structures. . . GFP Protein based on 1emb.pdb (229 amino acids long)

Designing for Complex Structures A Few Thoughts on Larger Protein Structures. . . Amino acids 1-60 Amino acids 61-140 Amino acids 141-200 Amino acids 201-229

Designing for Complex Structures

Sending a File To Your Printer Direct Connection to Printer (corded) Wifi Connection to Printer (wireless) Transfer Files Using USB Port Transfer Files Using SD Card

Sending a File To Your Printer Note how long it will take, how much material it will use, etc. Most slicers do not allow pausing or manipulating of the settings once a print has been sent If a print has a problem, it will have to be canceled and restarted

Where to Look For Help and Suggested Settings?