3D printing introduction email

Thank you for visiting the Open Source 3D printing table at the MSU Expo. It was great to converse with all of you and hear about different interests in technology. This email is a follow-up with links to the information we discussed and to give you a way to contact me or express your interest in a 3D printing workshop.

3D print services

3D printing is accessible for low-cost. First, 3D modeling software such as TinkerCAD, Fusion360, or FreeCAD are free. A variety of tutorials are available as webpages or videos. Even better there are repositories of 3D models where you can obtain 3D models to print, modify, and combine (see thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, Cults, youimagine) - with literally millions of designs. 3D models can be submitted to 3D print facilities, either an online service, or through the local library. Both East Lansing Public Library and Michigan State University Library have maker spaces that will generate 3D printed models for small fees. As an experiment I submitted a moderately difficult print to both libraries, you can see the produced prints here. The MSU print was produced using the Fortus option and was $10, while the ELPL was $2. We can observe that the MSU print is professional quality with no brim or supports, while the ELPL is a very good print that is comparable after post-print cleanup.

OSE D3D

To learn more about the D3D 3D printer that was demonstrated at the MSU expo visit the project page. A D3D build manual is available along with a Bill of Materials, so building this 3D printer is completely open source and replicable. Most incredibly, the D3D can be built for several hundred dollars but has features found on machines that are quite a bit more expensive. The D3D design is open source with an open source software tool chain. This printer is an excellent platform for a those that are familiar with 3D printing and want optimize their own printer.

Workshops

Marcin will host the 2nd OSE Boot Camp in July which will heavily revolve around 3D printing technology, including building a printer to bring home. We are considering hosting workshops to introduce use of these tools in the East Lansing area. An initial class for use of 3D modeling software and public printing facilities would be a low-cost option to building the skills to use this tech. If you would be interested in our workshops please let us know by taking this quick survey, so we can tailor the curriculum to the participants interests and skill level.

Links

• https://www.tinkercad.com/
• https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/students-teachers-educators
• https://www.freecadweb.org/
• https://www.thingiverse.com/
• https://www.myminifactory.com/
• https://cults3d.com/
• https://www.youmagine.com/
• https://www.elpl.org/3d-printing-services/
• https://lib.msu.edu/makerspace/3DPrinting/submission/
• https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:3d_print_comparison.jpg
• https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/D3D
• https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/D3D_Manual
• https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/D3D_BOM
• https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmT1cfVmj26MrkaFD_ZejPjq47VqcnytvTSH7Gjy2bU2JK9Q/viewform?usp=sf_link