3D Printing
3D printing is a great way to create physical models of the virtual items you work with or inexpensive, detailed replicas of artifacts or specimens. It is possible for an individual or lab to inexpensively purchase their own 3D printer. I will be sharing my experience with 3D printing as a resource for others looking to add 3D printing to their research and to showcase how it can be a useful asset. I will be writing the information in my own, not very technical, words in hopes that it will be easy for everyone to understand regardless of experience.
Getting Started with 3D Printing
What you need to get started with 3D printing:
If you are sending your files to someone else to print them for you (i.e. a 3D printing service):
If you wish to get your own printer and print things yourself:
If you are sending your files to someone else to print them for you (i.e. a 3D printing service):
- 3D models to print (See 3D data for places to download models or Photogrammetry for ways to create models from objects/3D scans)
- the size dimensions you want the final product to be
- an idea of the settings for printing (layer height, infill percentage)
- Time - 3D printing is still slow. Models will take several hours to days to print depending on many factors
If you wish to get your own printer and print things yourself:
- 3D printer
- Filament (PLA, ABS, or other)
- stable workspace for the printer to sit
- 3D models to print (See 3D data for places to download models or Photogrammetry and Segmentation for ways to create models from objects/3D scans)
- an understanding of the settings for printing (you will change these around depending on what you are printing)
- Time - 3D printing is still slow. Models will take several hours to days to print depending on many factors
Glossary of 3D Printing Terms
There are a lot of terms used in 3D printing and they can be confusing at first! Here is a helpful glossary that explains some of these terms: Thank you Lyndhurst Girls' STEM club for the link!
If you are sending your files to a 3D printing service:
Where can you have things 3D printed?
Many public libraries and universities (Indiana University 3D printing service) now have 3D printers that can be used by the public, so that may be an option for you. Some cities and towns have 'makerspaces' which are essentially community centers with tools and equipment shared between members. Often a 3D printer is one of the available tools. There are also websites such as 3D Hubs and Shapeways where you can upload your file and pay someone to print your file for you.
Preparing a file to be 3D printed
3D models can be created and saved as many different file types (PLY, STL, OFF, OBJ, 3DS, COLLADA, PTX, V3D, PTS, APTS, XYZ, GTS, TRI, ASC, X3D, X3DV, VRML, ALN), but for 3D printing you typically want your files to be saved as an .stl file. If your file is not an .stl file then you can easily convert the file type using many different software applications. Meshlab is free and can handle most popular 3D file types.
To convert file types within Meshlab:
-Open Meshlab
-Click File -> Import Mesh -> find your 3D model file you wish to convert to .stl
-The model should appear in the program
-Click File -> Export Mesh as -> choose the .stl file type and rename your file -> Save
Here are some tutorials for preparing a model to be 3D printed:
You may want to run your model through an automatic model repair service such as:
Your model may already be ready to be 3D printed, especially if you downloaded it from a site specifically for 3D printable models (i.e. Thingiverse).
Do you want to 3D print your own brain? If you have a T1 weighted (anatomical) MRI scan of your brain you can follow this tutorial and create 3D models of the hemispheres of your brain!
To convert file types within Meshlab:
-Open Meshlab
-Click File -> Import Mesh -> find your 3D model file you wish to convert to .stl
-The model should appear in the program
-Click File -> Export Mesh as -> choose the .stl file type and rename your file -> Save
Here are some tutorials for preparing a model to be 3D printed:
- https://pie.iu.edu/apps/3Dprint/
- http://3d.about.com/od/Creating-3D-The-CG-Pipeline/ss/Preparing-A-Model-For-3d-Printing-Model-To-3d-Print-In-5-Steps.htm
- http://www.shapeways.com/tutorials/how-to-prepare-your-render-animation-model-for-3d-printing
- https://www.sculpteo.com/en/tutorial/
You may want to run your model through an automatic model repair service such as:
Your model may already be ready to be 3D printed, especially if you downloaded it from a site specifically for 3D printable models (i.e. Thingiverse).
Do you want to 3D print your own brain? If you have a T1 weighted (anatomical) MRI scan of your brain you can follow this tutorial and create 3D models of the hemispheres of your brain!
Print Settings
Some of the print settings you will need to decide on:
Layer Height - this refers to the thickness of the layers the 3D printer will lay down. The smaller the layer height, the better print quality, but all the more time it will take.
Layer Height - this refers to the thickness of the layers the 3D printer will lay down. The smaller the layer height, the better print quality, but all the more time it will take.
- .1 mm is a high quality layer height but it will likely take a long time to print.
- .15 mm is also good quality but a bit faster .
- 2 mm will probably give you decent to ok quality at a fast time.
- You probably will not want a layer height higher than .2 mm
- 15-20% is generally pretty good
- There may also be an option for different infill patterns
Shells - shells refer to the outer layers of your print. More shells will increase the durability of your print but also increase print time.
- 2-3 shells is usually good.
If you are looking to get your own 3D printer:
Choosing a 3D Printer
I have a Wanhao Duplicator i3 V2 3D printer (it is based on the Prusia i3), however there are many options out there and I encourage you to research which printer fits your needs the best. I chose the Wanhao Duplicator i3 for several reasons:
Resources for choosing a 3D printer:
When deciding on a printer you should look for unboxing and review videos on youtube about that printer. You should also search the 3D printing subreddit linked above to see what other questions or comments people have asked/said about the printer. If most posts appear to be about issues with the printer or complaints, it is probably not the one you want to buy. I found that the Wanhao printer was frequently recommended for low budgets and beginners, there were very few complaints, and many posts boasting about the quality.
- Cost - it was $400 (at the time, may be less now) including shipping via Ultimate 3D Printing Store. I found this to be about the same cost or less as most build-your-own printers that required a lot of work to source the parts and put together.
- build size/size of printing space (200mmX200mmX180m) - enough to fit most bones/skulls I wanted to print, plus it can be expanded
- easy to use - I had it set up and printing within 45 mins to an hour (info. found by searching through Reddit and Youtube)
- high quality prints - with no or very few modifications this printer prints with fantastic quality (especially for the price!)
- community/availability of help - Wanhao and others have many youtube videos for troubleshooting, There is also a very active Facebook group and google group for people who use this printer. The reddit 3D priting subreddit also frequently has posts about this printer.
- ability to improve - although this printer comes pretty much assembled and works great right out of the box, it can be modified fairly easily to improve quality and build upon its abilities
Resources for choosing a 3D printer:
- https://www.reddit.com/r/3dprinting and particularly the wiki and printer chart and just reading posts for advice. I found Reddit to be the best source of information when making my decision.
- https://www.3dhubs.com/best-3d-printer-guide
- http://3dprint.com/80624/buying-3d-printer/
- http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page
- http://3dprintingindustry.com/2015/06/30/top-10-low-cost-3d-printers/
When deciding on a printer you should look for unboxing and review videos on youtube about that printer. You should also search the 3D printing subreddit linked above to see what other questions or comments people have asked/said about the printer. If most posts appear to be about issues with the printer or complaints, it is probably not the one you want to buy. I found that the Wanhao printer was frequently recommended for low budgets and beginners, there were very few complaints, and many posts boasting about the quality.
Filament
3D printers typically use some type of plastic filament as a printing material. I personally use PLA, but ABS is also very popular.
Further information on different filament types can be found here:
There are also other types of filament, such as flexible, wood, metal. even coffee!, but not all printers can use them and some require a special extruder.
I use Hatchbox PLA as it comes very highly recommend online via Reddit and elsewhere, but hope to eventually branch out into other types. I have found the gray Hatchbox PLA to work very well for objects like bones. Sometimes the color of filament can be distracting (if too bright and crazy), too dark (black) or too reflective (white) to see fine details, so it is important to choose the color based on the use of the object.
PLA should be stored in an airtight, moisture free container.
Further information on different filament types can be found here:
- https://www.matterhackers.com/3d-printer-filament-compare
- http://3dprintingforbeginners.com/filamentprimer-2/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/wiki/index#wiki_what_kinds_of_printing_materials_are_available.3F
There are also other types of filament, such as flexible, wood, metal. even coffee!, but not all printers can use them and some require a special extruder.
I use Hatchbox PLA as it comes very highly recommend online via Reddit and elsewhere, but hope to eventually branch out into other types. I have found the gray Hatchbox PLA to work very well for objects like bones. Sometimes the color of filament can be distracting (if too bright and crazy), too dark (black) or too reflective (white) to see fine details, so it is important to choose the color based on the use of the object.
PLA should be stored in an airtight, moisture free container.
Software
You will need to use a software program to slice your 3D model and create code that instructs your printer how to print the object. This is done in a slicer program. There are a few options for this:
This is page is still a work in progress. more info coming soon!
- Cura (free)
- Slic3r (free)
- Simplify3D ($150)
This is page is still a work in progress. more info coming soon!
Troubleshooting
Some useful troubleshooting guides if your prints are having issues: