rapman-education's posterous

rapman-education's posterous

Dave White  //  A place for educators, teachers, lecturers and students to find "stuff" about RapMan,BfB3000 and BfB 3DTouch printers... The unofficial Blog by Dave White, Advanced Skills Teacher and Head of D&T in Clevedon School UK.

Feb 20 / 12:25am

CAD to STL for 3D printing

The usual steps in producing a 3D printed object is to produce the design in a 3D CAD program and export it as a .stl file ... This is because many of the post processing programs that generate the instructions to drive the printer (g-code) can not read the native CAD files. But how do you create a .stl file? It's actually quite easy, here are a few clues to how this can be done in a some of the more frequently used programs. (note that this can vary with different versions of the software... It might be slightly different in the version you use)

Autodesk Inventor

Go to the File menu, then select the ‘Save Copy As’ option

Select STL from the Types drop-down

Click the Options button, and choose the High detail level

Click the Save Button

Catia

Select the STL command

Set Maximum Seg to 0.015mm

Select the model and > select Yes

Select Export > type File name > OK

Creo Elements (pro engineer)

File > Save copy as

Select STL as the file type and enter a new name for the file

In the pop up box Set chord height to 0. (The field will be replaced by minimum acceptable value with smaller triangles for a smoother object).

Set Angle Control to 1

OK

Google Sketchup

Install the stl export plugin http://www.guitar-list.com/download-software/convert-sketchup-skp-files-dxf-or-stl

Open model to export select "Export to DXF or STL" from the Tools menu.

Select "millimeters" as the units for export.

On the "Export to DXF," pop up select "stl."

Enter a filename for your new STL file.

Rhino

File > Save As

Select File Type to STL

Select File Name > Save

Select Binary

Select Detail Controls from Mesh Options

Max Angle = 20, Max aspect ration = 6, Min edge Length = 0.0001

OK

Solid Edge

Open Model & select File > Save As

Select File type as STL

Options > conversion tolerance to 0.015 mm

Surface Plane Angle > 45°

Select Binary type and OK

Name & Save STL file

Solid Works

File > Save As

Set Save As Type to STL

Options > Fine > OK

Save

STL settings: How to change STL settings

File > Save As

STL > Options

For a smoother STL file, change the Resolution to Custom

Change the deviation to 0.01 mm

Change the angle to 5 (Smaller angles will produce a smoother Object but bigger file)

Filed under  //  printing   software  
Jan 9 / 3:22pm

Students to hold a volcano in their hands

In a few weeks’ time I’m about to run a pilot “workshop session” with a group of teachers and students from the D&T and Geography departments of my own and a neighbouring school.  All very exciting and a different approach to the “Mt St Helens” volcano project that I posted on the BfB Wiki http://wiki.bitsfrombytes.com/index.php/Geography_-_Mount_Saint_Helens_Volcano . More about this later J

 

Anyway, I started to get together all the resources I need for the project and realised that even after  several months since I published the project I had never printed out a BIG “before” and after “model”. So, that was this weekend’s project!

 

For the technically minded, the details of how to convert satellite data to a .stl file is in the resource listed above. The print was made using white opaque PLA. The g-code was produced in BfB Axon using a modified version of Andrew’s new profiles (z=0.5mm, fill =0%, solid layers=3, shells = 4, Temp 195, all other settings as standard in “BfB2 z0.50 PLA Fast”)…. Build time about 2.5 - 3 hours each.

 

Anyway, I’m sure you will agree that they look pretty good… even if they do look a bit like icebergs.

(download)

Filed under  //  Software   Teaching and Learning   printing  
Jan 4 / 9:56pm

Representing print area limits in Axon (for RapMan Twin)

Limits

One of the users on the BfB Forum was enquiring if it was possible to have a different print bed (his own design) visible on the main page of Axon.... well this got me thinking about the "Warning -out of print area" message that axon displays if you move an object around on the bed.... the warning isn't strictly correct. So I've modified the file that displays the print bed to give a visual warning…. Great for helping students to visualise where they can place their objects on the print bed.

So,

If using ONLY extruder 1 you can use the area from near the left edge of the bed to the line marked "Ext 1 Limit"

If using ONLY extruder 2 you can use the area from near the right edge of the bed to the line marked "Ext 2 Limit"

You would need to use the extruder mapping functions in the firmware to do the above.

If using BOTH extruders you can only use the area BETWEEN "Ext 1 Limit" and "Ext 2 Limit".... if using the BfB2 Z0.xx ABSPLA profiles (for example if using ext 1 for object and ext 2 for support materials)

To use this file browse to the Axon install folder ( the default is C:\Bfb Software\Skeinforge ) and rename the file plate.stl to something like plate.old - then copy the new file plate.stl into this folder (then you can always go back to the original if necessary).... the file is attached at the bottom of this post.

Note.... The limits represented by the lines should be ok but it is best to stay on the "safe" side of these lines to prevent the carriage crunching into the framework.

Note 2.... Apart from loading into Axon to see if it works I have not tested to see if it upsets the z height or any similar nasties... so use it at your own risk and don't blame me if..... etc.

 

To download the .stl file see this thread on the BfB Forum http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/forum/post/representing-print-area-limits-axon-rapman-twin

 

Filed under  //  Software  
Aug 11 / 8:46pm

Thin Walls... testing the limits

Over the last few weeks I’ve been playing with all sorts of settings and software to try to really get to grips with what they really mean. I got frustrated by doing large prints so I designed a couple of objects along the way that allowed me to see results quickly. The square and diamond are simple 25x25 parts that allowed me to check on solid surfaces (shells and surface layers at 0, 45, and 90 degrees.

But what was really starting to frustrate me was printing objects with thin walls (containers). Walls that were really thin were not printed, quite thin walls ok, and thick walls were no problem… it was the ones in between that were proving difficult.

So I designed a “Walltester” with walls from 0.1 to 2.0mm in 0.1 increments and also 2.5 and 3.0mm for good measure. This allowed me to see…

The smallest wall size that is processed

Walls that print as a single line

Walls that print as 2 lines side by side

Walls that print as 2 lines with a gap

Walls that print as multiple lines

Walls that print as multiple lines with zig zag infill

 

Walltester_
Tester

The full details of my testing can be seen on the Bits from Bytes forum http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/forum/post/thin-walls-testing-limits You can also download the “walltester” which is on the BfB wiki http://wiki.bitsfrombytes.com/index.php/Test_Parts

I don’t think my testing was totally scientific or the results were conclusive but I certainly enjoyed finding out what was possible and gained a better insight into the capabilities of the various software packages… and also what I can and can’t do with my shiny new RapMan.

 

 

Filed under  //  Hardware   Software   printing  
Aug 3 / 6:29pm

"How to" video.... changing settings in BfB Axon

In the previous post I announced a new video explaining how to use BfB Axon. ... Here is another "How to" video that shows how to make new profiles and change settings in Axon.

The video can also be viewed on YouTube Best viewed in HD and full screen.

Other "How to" videos can be found on the BfB Wiki  and more T&L resources are available

Filed under  //  Education   Resources   Software   Teaching and Learning   Video  
Aug 3 / 1:55pm

"How" to video... using BfB Axon

BfB Axon is a fantastic "free" program to generate the g-code to drive your RapMan or BfB3000 printer.

You can convert any .stl file generated in your 3D design software or downloaded from the internet

The video can also be viewed on YouTube Best viewed in HD and full screen.

Other "How to" videos can be found on the BfB Wiki  and more T&L resources are available

 

Filed under  //  Education   Resources   Software   Teaching and Learning   Video  
Jul 17 / 7:53pm

Axon on the BfB Website

BfB axon is now available on the BfB Website. BfB Axon Download.

For more details see previous post on July 2nd 2010.

Dave

Filed under  //  Software  
Jul 2 / 8:53pm

BfB Axon... "new" RapMan and BfB3000 software

Really hope I don't get into trouble for this from the BfB Guys.... But I was so impressed that I just had to post this!

(download)

I dropped into BfB HQ today to collect a BfB3000 machine to take to the Design & Technology Association International Conference next week (see a previous post on this blog)  ..... The BfB3000 will be so much more impressive than my beat up and very old RapMan (but it still has real "character") . Whilst I was there the guys very kindly gave me a pre-release copy of their new software "BfB Axon".... My first impressions at least from an education point of view are.... WOW!!!!

The place that this takes in the suite of software seems to be that this is a (fully working!) replacement for the "BfB front end Beta" and is in no way intended to challenge the position of NetFabb.... in my view it complements and joins the suite of Skeinforge and Netfabb. Infact Netfabb will remain an essential part of the RapMan kit for its superb stl fixing ability and build quality.

BfB Axon is built on Skeinforge (in fact clicking on the Advance settings button opens the familiar SF interface which should keep the settings tweakers happy)... but there are some significant enhancements ... Easy user interface.
Tried and tested settings for BfB 3000 and RapMan with 1 to 3 heads (including support)
Rotate and scale (but not repair) stl files before processing.
Nice simple g-code viewer to view in 3D and step through layers

The program installer installs Python, Skeinforge and the interface (not certain about psyco or if installing this would have the same speed increase).... and on my win 7 laptop worked brilliantly (I have not tried it on any other OS).

So an "out of the box" solution is on the horizon.... don't quote me but I think it is going to be downloadable from the BfB website soon, and if I'm not mistaken at zero (or very low) cost!... now we can afford to install it on lots of machines and teach several/students at a time I know that the BfB guys have been working VERY hard on this whilst at the same time trying to push out huge numbers of RapMen and BfB3000's. For me and for schools/colleges who are finding funding increasingly difficult in this current economic climate this looks like it will be a brilliant solution... Thanks BfB Guys I really can't wait to show it off for the first time in public at the DATA Conference... Thanks guys for letting me do this.

Dave

PS As I said at the start... I hope the BfB Guys don't mind me "leaking" this info... So to save my neck please don't bug them by email (or on this forum) for further details, release dates, cost etc... at least not until the official release has happened

Filed under  //  Software  
May 10 / 7:01pm

NetFabb Engine for RapMan- Revisited

I finally got my licence for NetFabb at the end of last week... Yay!!

 

Just  installed and will be testing soon..... First impressions.... wow.

 

When I get a bit more proficient and have produced a few prints I’ll try to put together some “How To” videos and/or worksheets, so watch this space.

 

From what I can see NetFabb produces some excellent prints in a far more straight forward way than Skeinforge (from the point of view of students/teachers) .... and this is from software that is still in beta, and judging from the discussion on the BfB forum it looks like there are some significant improvements in the pipeline.

 

 

Filed under  //  Software  
May 6 / 5:47pm

What software??? Part 2

In the previous post on this subject I temptingly posted a screenshot of a page from this resource. Well i thought I would play a bit more with the blog and post the actual pdf file. (note. ALL resources will still be published on the wiki!).... but i might be tempted to also post new resources on the blog directly, Not certain about this yet so if you have an opinion please leave a comment

Dave

Click here to download:
What_Software.pdf (842 KB)
(download)

 

Filed under  //  Resources   Software   Teaching and Learning