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3D PRINTING!

Step 1

Choosing a picture of the desired product for reference

Insert the chosen picture as a canvas into Fusion 360 to start designing the product!

Step 2

Completion of the designed product to be printed

Step 3

Save drawing as an STL (binary) or 3MF file to be imported to Cura

Ensure that the entire drawing has been selected before saving it into the files!

Step 4

Importing of STL or 3MF file into AutoMaker Cura for the product to be 3D printed

Step 5

Editing the settings

Once the imported object has been centralized, the infill, speed etc. can be modified.

The time of printing will defer depending on the modification

Step 6

3D printing starts

Using the USB adapter provided at each printer, connect it to your laptop and save the Cura file into the USB. Place back the SD card into the printer and select the file to be printed.

It will start printing once confirmed

How cool !

Step 7

Comparing each trial product

As seen in the picture above, I had to redo mine 3 times due to certain errors I made such as not including the support as there was some overhang parts in my drawing. I faced some printer problems as well and had to change to a different printer.

The red scissors is my finalised product and I am very proud of it 😄

Content Strategist

Debbie Green

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Hero shot !

Is my product easily manufactured?

The product that I chose to 3D print is a pair of scissors. Since there are multiple parts (the handles, blades and the pivot screw that connects the entire object together) to it, it would be very time consuming if I were to make it part by part and assemble them afterwards. Hence, I made a decision to print it as a whole!

This is my initial ending product retrieved. On the left of the first picture is the support printed that I have removed. On the right, is my finished product!

LEARNING POINTS:

- Support is needed when there is 45 deg overhang

- The flatter the object is the lesser the infill there is

- More infill, increases strength of the object

- Maximum printing speed allowed is 100mm/s

REFLECTION

In this assignment, we were tasked to design a product to be 3D printed. However, we were supposed to only print an object that is hard to manufacture on its own. Hence why I chose a scissors to print as many printed a ball ring. It is important for us to learn how to use the 3D printer as this is a skill that we will need in future projects. Not only did I learn how to design a more abstract object on Fusion360, I also learnt from the help of our seniors and Dr Noel, who was there at that time, how to use the 3D printer as well as edit my drawing from Fusion 360 on Cura before starting my print. Initially, my first ever trial failed and i began to feel demoralized as I thought that I had to redo my entire drawing on Fusion 360. But, Dr Noel advised me on the use of a support and after adjusting the settings on Cura for the second and third trial, I was able to print the scissors without much difficulties. (the picture attached on the bottom right is my first trial. It is seen that the joint was not printed properly due to the lack of a support)

All in all after learning how to use the 3D printer, it will benefit me in the near future and it is really easy to use with just a click of a few clicks of a button. I will soon be able to print larger objects for my FYP in the near future ✨