Difference between revisions of "Type A Machine"

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m (Yardena moved page O:5 to Type A Machine: this is the actual model name)
(huge dirty merge from the previous general "3D Printing" page...)
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=3D printer=
[[File:3dprinterfisheye02.jpg|thumb]]
==Attached Computer==


Made by http://typeamachines.com/ in San Francisco
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:
* [http://slic3r.org/ slic3r] (turns STL files into gcode)
* kisslicer (alternative to slic3r)
* [https://github.com/kliment/Printrun pronterface] (operates the printer, which accepts gcode)


Anyone can use it, just come by and get a quick tutorial. There are a few instruction notes on the printer's table.
You can create STL files on any machine. Some popular programs are:
* [http://tinkercad.com Tinkercad] (in Google Chrome)
* Google sketchup (which can now [http://sketchuptips.blogspot.com/2010/03/sketchup-stl-importer-redo.html import STL files]
* [http://blender.org Blender]


= Documentation =
You can also find STL files:
* On [http://thingiverse.com/ Thingiverse]
* On the [smb://space/sudoroom%20public%20data/Projects/3DPrinting local file server]
* On sudoroom's [https://github.com/sudoroom github] ([https://github.com/sudoroom/sudo-magnets magnets], [https://github.com/sudoroom/sudo-blocks blocks], etc)


For End to End 3D Printing instructions see the Documentation section of [[3DPrinting]]
== Calibration ==


==Getting Started==
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.


===3D Models===
== Repair History ==
Any '''.stl''' file can be printed out by the printer. A good place to find '''.stl''' files is [http://thingiverse.com/ Thingiverse].


If you haven't done 3D modeling before then give something easy a try like [http://tinkercad.com Tinkercad] (in Google Chrome) or Google sketchup (installed on computer adjacent to printer). Sketchup can now directly import '''.stl''' files thanks to [http://sketchuptips.blogspot.com/2010/03/sketchup-stl-importer-redo.html this plugin]. Also consider [http://blender.org Blender] (installed on computer adjacent to printer) for modeling, although it is primarily a software for animation it apparently is good for regular modeling as well.
This printer has a long, colorful history of repair and disrepair. Most recently, Jake got it to work and [http://lists.sudoroom.org/pipermail/sudo-discuss/2013-December/005006.html reported to the list].
== Comic Strip ==


= Earlier Instructions =
These comics are outdated as of March 2013 but we keep them around because they're pretty.
===Using the printer===
 
To calibrate the bed, see instructions on the [[3DPrinting]] page.
 
''This is a transcription of the note in front of the printer:''
 
# Make sure the blue tape is flat and covers the glass base (formerly acrylic).
# Prepare an '''.stl''' file (see [[O:5#3D Models]] above).
# Open the program '''Repetier''' (on the Desktop).
# Turn machine on (switch on back, right-hand-side).
# Connect by clicking at the top left "connect" ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_symbol power symbol]) in Repetier.
# Add objects to the field by selecting "Add Object" on the lower right-hand-side of Repetier.
# Select the Slic3r tab on the right-hand tabbed menu, then select "Slice with Slic3r".
# When slicing is done, hit "run" ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_symbol play symbol]).
# When your object(s) is(are) done printing, turn off the printer and put the computer to sleep (or standby).
 
=== Printer Calibration: Comics ===
 
A comic book interpretation of the Printer Calibration instructions from Jae.
Warning: this is out of date as of March 2013


[[File:3D Printing Instructions Page 1.jpg|400px|3D Printing - page 1]]
[[File:3D Printing Instructions Page 1.jpg|400px|3D Printing - page 1]]
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[[File:3D Printing Instructions Page 3.jpg|400px|3D Printing - page 3]]
[[File:3D Printing Instructions Page 3.jpg|400px|3D Printing - page 3]]


=== Leveling the print plate using an allen wrench as a guide ===
== Gallery of Creations ==
 
Lay the allen wrench flat on one corner of the plate.


With the machine off, drag the printer head over the long part of the wrench. The head should just barely flip the wrench up. Adjust the height of the corner with the thumbwheels. Make sure the plate ends up tight between the wheels.
<gallery widths="140px" heights="140px" perrow="4">
File:Raspberrypi3dprint.jpg | RaspBerry Pi print-out
File:Sudoroom_photo.jpg | Our Office
File:3dprintng.jpg | Creation
File:Max3DPrinting.jpg | Today I Learned Class
File:Type_A_cat.jpg | Cat, gears, etc
File:SudoRoom_fridge_magnets.jpg | Fridge magnets
File:Love_Magnet.jpg | Love magnet
File:Cartoon_Jam_Print_Out.jpg | cartoon in progress
File:Print_prying.jpg | prying a print off the bed
File:Cartoon_face.jpg | Cartoon face
File:Model_airplane.jpg | Model airplane from thingiverse
File:3DPrintApocryphalText1.jpg | Apocryphal Instructions page 1
File:3dPrintApocryphalText2.jpg | Apocryphal Instructions page 2
File:AncientDiagram.jpg | Close up of an ancient hand-drawn diagram by our 3D printing shepherd, Jae
3D_Printed_Cigar_Rocket.jpg | 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.
</gallery>


Repeat for the other three corners.
== External Links ==


=== Video ===
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rctPgALRUGU musical wiggly vase video]


musical wiggly vase https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rctPgALRUGU
Documentation:
* [https://github.com/sudoroom/3DPrinting our own github documentation]
* [https://noisebridge.net/wiki/3DPrintBeginners Noisebridge's 3D-printing documentation]
* [http://typeamachines.com/ Manufacturer's website]
** [http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0223/2361/files/Series12013StandardUserManualV1_6.pdf?6262 User Manual]
** [http://support.typeamachines.com/hc/en-us Type A Machines Support Page] has lots of info on how to use and repair the printer.
** [http://support.typeamachines.com/hc/en-us/articles/200213410-Replacing-the-Blue-Tape-on-the-Build-Surface Replacing the blue tape build surface]
** [http://support.typeamachines.com/hc/en-us/articles/200022919-Cleaning-out-a-Filament-Jam Cleaning out a filament jam]
** [http://forum.typeamachines.com/index.php Online Forum]


[[Category:3DPrinting]]
[[Category:3DPrinting]]

Revision as of 19:14, 23 December 2013

3dprinterfisheye02.jpg

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:

You can also find STL files:

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.

3D Printing - page 1

3D Printing - page 2

3D Printing - page 3

Gallery of Creations

External Links

musical wiggly vase video

Documentation: