Assignment 3: 3D Printing
![](https://github.com/davidjpearl/digifab-533/blob/main/Week3/Images/Banner3.png?raw=true")
Test Printing with the Ender 3 Pro
For this assignment, I began by setting up my printer and conducted the bed leveling protocol to calibrate my machine.
Cubes
After leveling, I modelled my cubes, 1 at a time on Rhino, exported to Cura, and began adapting settings after each prints.
| Setting | Expected Size | Real Size | Time to Print |
| Default Low Quality | 2cm x 2cm | 1.98cm x 1.98 cm | 20 min |
| Default Standard | 2cm x 2 cm | 2cm x 2 cm | 22 min |
| Default Super Quality | 2cm x 2 cm | 1.99cm x 1.99 cm | 30 min |
| Concentric | 2cm x 2 cm | 1.97cm |
Tubes
| Setting | Expected Size | Real Size | Time to Print |
| Low Quality, 1 wall | 3cm x 3cm | 2.96cm x 2.96 cm | 16 min |
| Low Quality, Random z, 2 wall | 3cm x 3cm | 2.96cm x 2.96 cm | 22 min |
I also really liked the random z setting. I thought it made an interesting interior and looked sort of like a Music box on the exterior
Cylinder
| Setting | Expected Size | Real Size | Time to Print |
| Low Quality, Tolerance 0.1 | 3cm x 3cm | 3cm x 3cm | 41 min |
| Low Quality, Tolerance 0.001 | 3cm x 3cm | 2.9cm + 2.8cm* | 22 min |
|
Low Quality, Spiralize Outer Contour |
3cm x 3cm | 2.96cm x 3cm | 22 min |
|
Low Quality, Rotated, Generate Support |
3cm x 3cm | 1.3cm x 2.9 cm | 55 min? |
All was going well until I got to cylinders. My 2nd cylinder was printed on an uneven bed and had 1 side 1mm taller than the other side.
Note 1: Ensure that magentic bed is accurately placed before printing
When adjusting the setting for Sprialize Outer Contour, I liked seeing the difference in how it would print in preview mode. Its a really great way to reduce the amount of time your print takes, when it's not too fragile or heavy!
Then while I was printing cylinder 4, I ran out of filament. I didn't realize since the machine continued to make sounds. I ended up with an interesting cross section and a large brim.
It was interesting to use Cura to turn the cylinder to the side, and see the preview of all the structure being added.
Note 2: Ensure you have enough filament before printing something new
When my new filament arrived from Amazon, it did not fit through the machine.
Note 3: Make sure the filament you buy is soft enough to fit into Ender. Recommended filament protopasta did not work, perhaps it was too dense since I bought a fancy one.
Designing a nested object
Using Shapr3D, I modelled a series of 3 gradually shapes, inspired by penne pasta, which comfortably nest inside eachother. I initially was worried about printing them all together, but I was extra aware to make sure there was no actual part touching.
| Part | Height | Diameter | Width |
| Small Piece | 41.2cm | 11.6cm | 1.5cm |
| Medium Piece | 35.3cm | 19.4cm | 2.4cm |
| Large Piece | 30.8cm | 30cm | 3.7cm |
I'm not sure how to measure a shape like this...
Final Results
I was very happy with my result, and happy that it came apart!
