When to (and when not to) 3D Print

3D printing is a relatively an imprecise fabrication method. It's great for ideating and creating complex 3D prototypes quickly, but it's not very good at making strong or extremely precise parts.

• If you need your parts to fit together perfectly, consider stacking or combining laser cut plastic.

• If you need your parts to be resilient, by all means print a prototype, but consider how you'll need to fabricate the final part for the strength you'll need.

• The 3D printer can print with flexible and rigid materials in the same part. If you need a very custom part that should have flexible and rigid components closely integrated, 3D printing could be a very good option.

Design Guide

• Create a good sized flat surface to be the bottom of the print

• Design for limited support material (less overhang)

  • Anything hanging out in space at less than 45° from horizontal needs support

    • Excepting horizontal holes in vertical walls

  • Support material can be used and is designed to be broken off, but it makes for less precise, messier prints

• Holes need special consideration due to the way the material is laid down and how it shrinks when it cools so be prepared to have to finish the holes in the drill press(rare).

  • Vertical holes in horizontal surfaces require an extra 0.5mm diameter in the design

  • Horizontal holes in vertical surfaces require an extra 0.25mm diameter in the design

• The filament is laid down in 0.4mm wide lines, so that is the minimum thickness it can reliably reproduce

How to 3D Print @ BSM

• Export file as .stl file from SolidWorks or OnShape

  • Make sure the units are in MILLIMETERS (mm)

  • Name fileYour_Last_Name+File_Name+Version_# (i.e: Dougherty+Servo_Mount+V2)

2. Submit the .stl file (not a google drive link) to the #qmtp-3d-printers channel on slack.

   1. Please type the approximate dimensions of the part in your slack message. Use length x width x height in mm (i.e. 50mmx30mmx60mm)

   2. If you have any specific requests (i.e. infill, shell thickness, support material etc.) type them in the slack message.

   3. Only submit your file ONCE. If it has not been printed don’t submit it again, message captains instead.

3. Print captains will react to the message with the following emojis:

   1. ⏱File has been seen by captains and is now in queue.

   2. 👍Part is now printing.

   3. ✅Print is done and in done prints bin.

   4. ❓Captains have a question about your print.

   5. ❌Captains have an issue with the file you submitted.

   6. ⚠️The file has not been submitted in millimeters.

• Interested in becoming a Print Capitan? DM @Print Captains on slack

Filament Recycling @ BSM

**Project under construction now** Info coming soon!!