The 3D printer we will use in this workshop is a Monoprice model. You can see the promotion on this website:
When you buy a 3D printer and you are new to the device, you read the manual! Here is the manual for the 3D printer we will use in the workshop:
15711_MANUAL_170509.PDF
A memory card came with the printer with some designs already programmed. The process is simple at this point:
• Turn on the machine
• Choose the kind of plastic to be printed
• Pre-heat the head
• Insert the memory card
• Choose the item to be printed
• Start
The 3D printer reads the code on the card, translates the core to electronic signals that are modified to drive four separate motors, one up and down, another left and right, another back and forth, and the last to push to plastic through the melt nozzle.
Our workshop will explore all of these aspects so we can understand how the motors move the platform, how electronics can control the motors, and how microprocessors and software can control the electronics.