1. If you have not already installed OpenSCAD please do it now!

2. An introduction to 3D printing

3. A (very) brief look at 3D printing methods.
How Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) works.
Introducing OpenSCAD.
Designing your first 3D object.
From file to physical object – how things actually get printed.
3D printing tips and techniques.
Ready-made models.
Hi all, here’s a very quick run down of today.

4. We’re actually talking additive manufacturing to use its proper title.

5. And we’re only talking 1 type of 1 strand of AM!
Fused Deposition Modelling is what we will be looking at today and pretty much every hobbyist level printer uses this technology.

6. How does FDM work?
X Y Z – some printers move the bed, some move the head. The way the object is built up sets limitations on how something can be designed. You can’t print in thin air!
Two main types of plastic filament – PLA and ABS. PLA, easier to work with but more brittle. Heated bed is essential, particularly for larger prints. As the object cools,

7. OpenSCAD Open Source All platforms Simple to use
Design complex objects

8. You can even 3D print… A 3D printer!

9. (But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet…)
OpenSCAD lets you create simple 3D geometric shapes.
cube([50,50,50]);
cylinder(h=30,r1=10,r2=10)
sphere(30)

10. And then use functions to combine shapes into complex objects…
rotate([45,0,0])
cube([50,50,50]);
cube([50,50,50]);
translate([100,0,0])

11. Different functions can add objects together. Or take them away.
difference(){}
Takes one object away from another
union(){}
Joins two objects together

12. And now it’s time for a live demo…

13. Once your design is finished, it needs to be ‘sliced’ for the 3D printer.
Finished OpenSCAD design
Design imported into slicing software. (Cura)
stl file
GCODE file

14. And now it’s your turn!

15. A final few words… http://www.thingiverse.com
Thank you for coming today!
Please leave us feedback via
Our next Knowledge Makers meetup will be on June 28th
You can also create, share and download some amazing 3D designs on