3D Printing
In our Makerspace we have 3 of the same type of 3D printer, it is the
Ender 3 v2
Resources here are geared toward that printer but, the information here would help you with any 3D printer that you may have access to.
So you want to use a 3D PRINTER!
The first step is to either design something that you want to print or Find something that someone else has designed and print that.
If you are designing something you could use some free CAD software like Sketchup for schools or Tinkercad Click HERE for even more options.
if you are looking for something that someone else has already designed you can look at Thingiverse. You can also download a file and modify it in one of the above software.
The second step is to put it into slicing software. Cura should be installed on the computers in the Makerspace and is free to download as well. It is advised that you get help from someone in our Makerspace community with this software, there are a number of things to get right before you are ready to print, like:
Selecting the right 3D printer in the software.
Selecting the right settings like print quality, supports, and maybe changing the orientation of the print on the bed.
Slicing the print and having a look at it on the screen. This will also tell you the approx time of the print and the approx amount of filament that will be used.
Saving the file to your google drive and or a micro SD card to insert into the printer.
The printer should be leveled already, so you will need to preheat the printer and then cue up your print to start.