The 3D Printing Process General Overview Created by: JJ Johnson

Step 1: Get a designStep 2: Position ObjectStep 3: Slice ObjectStep 4: Print YOUMAGAZINETV. "Inforgraphic: How a 3D Printer Works." Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 7 June Web. 8 January

The Orion 3D Printing Process Download an.STL file from a site such as Repables Slice the file using Slicer (built into Repetier Host) Print the part 123 Option #1 Printing downloaded files

The Orion 3D Printing Process Create a CAD model in your choice of software ( Inventor, Solidworks, Sketchup, etc. ) Export as an.STL Slice the file using Slicer (built into Repetier Host) Print the part 1234 Option #2 Creating your own files

Free 3D Printable Files There are numerous sites that offer files ready for 3D printing, created by users from all over the globe. The files typically come in the standard.STL file format making the process of downloading and printing quick. In order to get started printing downloaded files you must have an understanding of Slicing.STL files and how to getting the resulting G-Code to your printer. Printable Repositories

.STL Files “The STL file format has become the Rapid Prototyping industry's defacto standard data transmission format. STL format approximates the surfaces of a solid model with triangles. For a simple model such as the box shown in figure 1, its surfaces can be approximated with twelve triangles, as shown in figure 2. The more complex the surface, the more triangles produced, as shown in figure 3.” (Quickparts, 2013, para. 1) What is an.STL File? (n.d.). Retrieved January 8, 2014, from

Repetier Host Your 3D printer does not understand the information contained in an.STL file without further processing. 3D printers interpret information called G-Code. In order to generate G-Code you need a tool called Slicer, which is built into an Open Source (FREE) software called Repetier. Repetier Host, when connected to your 3D printer, allows you to control all of the functions of the printer such as temperature settings, speed, filament flow rates, cooling, etc. Settings such as these can be altered before, during, and after printing. This software is widely used and a necessity for anyone printing using the Orion 3D printer. LATER LESSONS WILL EXPAND ON THE USE OF REPETIER

Slicer “Slic3r, an open source software on its own. But built into the Repetier-Host software, is the powerful tool that you need to convert a digital 3D model into printing instructions for your 3D printer. It cuts the model into horizontal slices (layers), generates toolpaths to fill them and calculates the amount of material to be extruded.” (Slic3r: About, para 1) Slic3r - About. (n.d.). Retrieved January 8, 2014, from

Animation of STL Generation and Slicing Econolyst. "Animation of STL Generation and Slicing." Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 5 March Web. 5 January

G-Code “G-Code is a language in which people tell computerized machine tools what to make and how to make it. The "how" is defined by instructions on where to move to, how fast to move, and through what path to move.” Slicer automatically generates the G- Code required by your printer when slicing a part. (Wikipedia, 2014, para. 2) Typical GCODE your 3D printer uses G28: Home All Axis XYZ: Coordinate Location E: Filament Extrusion F: Feedrate (Speed) M190: Heated Bed Temperature G-code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved January 8, 2014, from

Time to Print ●The information that was just presented to you is essentially the whole process required to print a part. In review: ○Obtain an.STL file ○Load the file in Repetier-Host ○Slice the object ○Print ●You can get as advanced as you like, learning 3D modelling, advanced slicer configurations, or printing with exotic filaments, but one thing is sure, its never been easier or more affordable to get 3D printing.

Review What type of file is required to print an object? What is the purpose of Repetier-Host? What does it mean to “slice” a file?