Makerspace: 3D Printing for Occupational Therapy

What is 3D Printing?

• 3D printing creates physical objects from computer-created 3D designs (not photos or other 2 dimensional objects)
  • Additive manufacturing is the process of creating an object by building it one layer at a time.
• These types of printers interpret computer code and build objects layer by layer using melted plastic.
• All of the printers at the Xavier Library Makerspace are fused filament printers, sometimes called extrusion printers.

 …It’s like a complicated hot glue gun

3 Steps to 3D Printing

1. Model
2. Slice
3. Print

Find 3D files online

• https://ot3d.org/ 
• https://www.makersmakingchange.com/
• https://www.yeggi.com/ 
• https://www.thingiverse.com/ 
• https://www.myminifactory.com/ 
• https://www.printables.com/model 
• https://3d.nih.gov/

Create 3D Models in Tinkercad, a free online collection of software tools to create 3D models

• Create an account: https://www.tinkercad.com/join
• Learn the Basics: https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/designs
• Let’s Learn TinkerCAD! https://bit.ly/letslearntinkercad

Saving your 3D model in Tinkercad

• Export
• Download
• Include everything in the design
• .STL or .OBJ file type

Slicing in Creality Slicer

• For printing models on Ender-3 Pro, we suggest using the Creality Slicer software
• Scroll to the bottom of the page for free software downloads for your operating system
• Using Creality Slicer: https://www.creality.com/blog/how-to-use-creality-slicing-software
  • Ender-3 Pro
  • Load model to estimate print time and size
  • Maximum object print size: 220 x 220 x 250mm

Filament Options

• PLA Filament Diameter: 1.75mm
• Tolerance: +/-0.03
• Variety of colors!

Submit Your 3D Print Request

https://www.xavier.edu/library/about/3d-print-request

• If there are issues, look for an email from 3DPrint@xavier.edu
• Upload your completed .STL file(s)
• Include specific instructions in Additional Details

Time Considerations

How much time do I have to learn/use TinkerCAD? How long will the print take? Troubleshooting and remodeling

Tips for Modeling

• No matter how detailed you get, it’s important to plan dimensions and scale before getting started!
• Move, Rotate, and Scale are three basic operations vital to orienting, aligning, and customizing your shapes.
• Start with basic shapes and make sure that as you start building, you are creating your object in the correct scale!

3D Printing Terms

CAD / X, Y, Z Axis / .STL / Slicing / Raft / Supports / Fill / Shells / Infill / Layer Height / Temperature / Speed / Filament / PLA / Extrude / Build Plate / Leveling

• https://libguides.xavier.edu/makerspace/3Dprintinganddesign
• https://www.nwa3d.com/education/glossary-of-3d-printing-terms/