3. 3D printing#

This week I learned how to use a 3D printer and use PrusaSlicer to set up the printing of the object.

PrusaSlicer#

In order to use your model in PrusaSlicer you must export the model to stl format. To do this in OpensCAD, go to “File”, then “Export” and finally “Export as STL”.

Once this is done you can open PrusaSlicer.

To add your model, press the square with a sign of addition and then select the file you want to add.

Configuring your impression is the most important thing and that is the purpose of this software. Fisrtly, you must define the right printer (here we are using the “Original Prusa i3 MK3S & MK3S+” with a 0.6mm nozzle). Second, you must choose the size of the layer (I chose 0.2 mm because all the dimensions of my object are multiples of 0.2). And thirdly, you must choose the filling percentage, but you should know that a level of 35% or more doesn’t get more solidity (for this part, I left the default parameter because I do not Do not want my object to be too rigid). You can also modify the size of your object.

You can also add a support if your model has a part that is not enough connected with the print board (I didn’t need it because the whole part of my model touches the board). And you can add a border to your model to increase the adhesion to the board (I added an 8 mm border because my object is thin and it will not have good grip).

Once you have finished all the steps, you can see the print preview, then export it as a GCODE file to use it in the 3D printer.

Download .scad File

Download .stl File

Result#

The final result was correct, it’s quite resistant (if you make a moderate force) and it’s quite flexible. However, the side of the piece that was connected to the board during the impression is damaged because of the support.

The Lego pin inserted into the piece are not removable because the holes of the piece are too tight. To fix this problem I can easily widen the hole of the piece in OpensCAD by changing the value of the parameter “pinWidth”.