Type A Machine

Attached Computer

The printer can attach to any computer by USB, but usually it's attached to a Linux machine called "sudodesk." It runs Linux Mint which does not have much helpful software in its repos, so the desktop user "sudoer" has these installed locally:

slic3r (turns STL files into gcode)
kisslicer (alternative to slic3r)
pronterface (operates the printer, which accepts gcode)

You can create STL files on any machine. Some popular programs are:

Tinkercad (in Google Chrome)
Google sketchup (which can now import STL files
Blender

You can also find STL files:

On Thingiverse
On the [smb://space/sudoroom%20public%20data/Projects/3DPrinting local file server]
On sudoroom's github (magnets, blocks, etc)

Calibration

Our printer bed and z-axis are often broken & uneven. Some suggestions:

Move the head around - is the bed flat? Test the Z roughly with an allan wrench laid flat on the bed (it should should barely flip up), then more finely with a piece of paper (it should create a slight friction only). Test on all four corners, adjusting the screws if necessary. Sometimes the middle might even be dipped in a bow. This will make it harder to print large objects...
Because the bed is not heated, prints will stick. You might need to pry them off with a razor. This often tears the tape, so we need to buy more tape. Usually we use ScotchBlue #2093EL.

Repair History

This printer has a long, colorful history of repair and disrepair. Most recently, Jake got it to work and reported to the list.

Comic Strip

These comics are outdated as of March 2013 but we keep them around because they're pretty.

Gallery of Creations

RaspBerry Pi print-out
Our Office
Creation
Today I Learned Class
Cat, gears, etc
Fridge magnets
Love magnet
cartoon in progress
prying a print off the bed
Cartoon face
Model airplane from thingiverse
Apocryphal Instructions page 1
Apocryphal Instructions page 2
Close up of an ancient hand-drawn diagram by our 3D printing shepherd, Jae
3D printed 2-part rocket. 65mm max diameter, 29mm motor bay, tangent ogive curve with internal 2-way structural ribs and support for airspeed sensor pitot tube at nose.