Ultimaker 3D Printer

This equipment is safety category 3:

• Mandatory, in person, instructions.
  
• Make sure you read the Wiki before asking.

This equipment is Noise Category 3: Can be used at all hours. No limits.

This equipment can be left on overnight/ran unattended -- provided that the instructions on this page are followed to the letter.

Ultimaker printers

The Makerspace has three 3D printers, the Ultimaker2+, the Slightly higher Ultimaker2 extended+ and a Fancy Ultimakler 3 something with 2 nozzels.

• Ultimaker2 series website
• Wiki page about our Ultimaker2 printers, including how to's
• Ultimaker 3 -- not yet documented. Possible manual and, see page 11, filament diameter of 2.85mm

The ultimaker 3 buildplate camera can be seen remotely through the CRM (but only if it is actually switched on and running/printing).

Software

For the design of 3D models, the following software can be used:

• Open scad - Openscad is a open source software for creating solid 3D Cad objects (available on Wndows, MacOS and Unix/Linux). Openscad is a scripting language
• Fusion 360 Fusion 360 is an integrated CAD/CAM/CAE software to design 3D models. For personal use it is free of charge (available on Windows, MacOS)
• Tinkercad Tinkercad is a free, easy-to-use app for 3D design, electronics, and coding.

Any CAD software that is able to convert your design into a STL files is suitable for designing for or 3D printers. Alternatives are Sketch and Blender.

Using a SD memory card

The Ultimaker printers at the Space need a GCODE file as input. You can put your GCODE files on a SD memory card and insert the memory card directly in one of the Ultimaker 3D printer. The memory cardslot is on the front of the printer.

• If you need to format your SD memory card (e.g. on MacOS), choose FAT32 and Master Boot Record (MBR) -- note that you need to expressly select FAT32; not the (new default) 'ExFAT'.

If you have a design file e.g. from Internet or a design program you need to convert your file, to the GCODE format or Ultimaker 3D printers can work with. STL is a common file file format and the easiest to to convert to GCODE. If you have a design in an other format it is possible to first convert this to the STL file format. Search with google for online conversion tools. (If you find a conversion tool, that gives good results, feel free to add URL here)

STL file can be converted into a GCODE by:

• Cura Cura is used to slice the model and prepare the GCODE (file extension .NGO)
• Slic3r Slic3r is used to slice the model and prepare the GCODE.

Using a laptop

There is also the option to directly print from your laptop, without using a memory card.

• PrintRun allows direct control of the printer and offer more opportunities than Cura/Slic3r. The GCODE file is uploaded via the USB connection on the backside of the printer.

The printing process

Once you have your printable GCODE file on a SD memory card, or your laptop ready and connected, goto Ultimaker2 for a step by step tutorial of the 3D printing process.

• Nextstep read: Ultimaker2