3D Printer Projects for Makerspaces

The Maker Movement Is Accessible to All
What Can I Do with a 3D Printer?
Solving Societal Problems
That Competitive Edge
Whatâs in This Book?
What Software and Hardware Will We Use?
Where Can I Find Makerspaces?
Further Reading
General Stuff Before We Start
Cartesian Printers
Delta Printers
Other Printer Features
Firmware
Extruders
Build Plates
Adhesion Covers and Treatments
Filament
Changing Filament
Glue and Solvent Welding
Slicer Settings: Dialing It In
Printing Tethered versus SD (Memory) Card
Running Multiple Printers Simultaneously
Selling Your Work
Being Green
SketchUp
Websites and Programs That Check for Printability
Summary
Further Reading
PROJECT 1 Architectural Symbol Coaster
Things Youâll Need
Find an Existing 2D Drawing
Edit the Drawing
Import the Chair File into SketchUp Pro
Model the Chair
Scale the Chair
Add Volume
Check the Model for Problems
Export It as an STL File
Print It!
PROJECT 2 Phone Case
Things Youâll Need
Find a Phone Case File and Import It into SketchUp
Open More Toolbars
Sketch a Design
Optional: Paint and Export as an OBJ File
Check the Model for Errors
Print It!
PROJECT 3 Guardian Lion Bank
Things Youâll Need
Find a Model
Hollow the Model
Cut a Coin Slot
Cut a Hole at the Bottom
Inspect and Export the Model
Try to Print It!
Print It!
PROJECT 4 Art Stencil
Things Youâll Need
Open More Toolbars
Draw and Offset a Circle
Draw the Eyes
Draw the Smile
Add Volume
Hold All the Pieces Together with Rods
Delete the Unneeded Parts
Check the Model for Errors
Export the Model
Check Dimensions and Stability in Meshmixer
Hollow the Model Out
Print It!
PROJECT 5 Cookie Dunker
Things Youâll Need
Model the Holder
Model the Handle
Export the Dunker and Handle Separately
Print It!
PROJECT 6 Simple Bat-Shaped Cookie Cutter
Things Youâll Need
Find and Convert a Bat Sketch
Import the SVG File into Fusion 360
Offset the Sketch
Export the Cutter as an STL File
Check for Stability
Try to Print It!
Print It!
PROJECT 7 Spiral Ornament
Things Youâll Need
Draw the Spiral
Import the Spiral into SketchUp Pro
Open More Toolbars
Offset the Spiral
Scale the Spiral
Add Text to the Spiral
Reposition the Spiral
Add a Neck and Loop
Combine All the Parts
Print It!
PROJECT 8 Personalized Football Key Fob
Things Youâll Need
Create Text
Import the PNG File into Simplify3D
Size the PNG File Model
Print It!
PROJECT 9 Embossed Poop Emoji Cookie Cutter
Things Youâll Need
Find and Convert a Poop Emoji Sketch
Import the SVG File into Fusion 360
Examine the File for Problems
Offset the Perimeter Sketch
Extrude the Perimeter Sketch
Extrude the Interior Sketches
Extrude the Back
Adjust Height and Size as Needed
Export the Cookie Cutter as an STL File
Print It!
PROJECT 10 Lens Cap Holder
Things Youâll Need
Sketch the Holder
Extrude the Sketch
Sketch and Extrude a Second Circle
Export the Lens Holder as an STL File
Print It!
PROJECT 11 Print Two Colors with a Dual Extruder
Things Youâll Need
Import and Convert the STL File
Split the Ears from the Body
Delete Unnecessary Items
Export Two STL Files
Import the STL Files into Simplify3D
Set Up Processes
The Dual Extrusion Wizard
Print It!
PROJECT 12 Lithophane Night-Light
Things Youâll Need
Find an Image
Convert the Image to a Lithophane
Import the STL File into Meshmixer
Change the Size (Optional)
Print It!
Assemble It
PROJECT 13 Skull-and-Bones Pencil Cup
Things Youâll Need
Sketch a Circle and Three Lines
Offset the Lines
Extrude the Lines
Find and Import an SVG File
Model the SVG File
Add a Bottom to the Cup
Combine All Parts
Angle the Top
Adjust Proportions and Chamfer Edges (Optional)
Print It!
PROJECT 14 Business Card with QR Code
Things Youâll Need
Model the Card
Add Text to the Card
Add a QR Code to the Card
Download the Card as an STL File
Analyze the File for Printability
Print It!
PROJECT 15 From Scan to Trinket Holder
Things Youâll Need
What the Scanify Can Do
Whatâs Needed to Operate the Scanify
Scan the Vase
Export the Mesh Model
Fix the Mesh Model with Studio Advanced
Import the Vase STL File into Meshmixer
Cut the Bottom of the STL File Off
Cut a Hole in the Top of the STL File
Print It!
Some Additional Thoughts
Further Resources
PROJECT 16 Phone Stand
Things Youâll Need
Import the STL File into Fusion 360
Model a Base
Make a Hole in the Phone Stop
Convert the STL File to a Solid
Combine the Model and the Base
Export the Phone Holder as an STL File
Print It!
PROJECT 17 Cage Pendant with a Bead Inside
Things Youâll Need
Make a Torus
Copy and Rotate the Torus
Make a Loop
Combine the Parts and Export as an STL File
Print It!
PROJECT 18 Military Insignia Soap Mold
Things Youâll Need
Model the Base
Find an Insignia Image
Convert the Insignia Image to an SVG File
Import the SVG File into Tinkercad
Position the File on the Base
Print It!
Make a Silicone Mold
Further Resources
PROJECT 19 Hanging Lampshade
Things Youâll Need
Model the Straight Part
Model the Flared Part
Shell and Fillet the Lampshade
Save as an STL File and Import into Meshmixer
Decimate the File
Apply a Voronoi Pattern
Troubleshooting
Iterate and Print It!
PROJECT 20 Reality Capture of a Buddha Charm
Things Youâll Need
What Is a Reality Capture?
What Can Be Captured?
How to Photograph a Subject
Photographing a Person
Upload the Photo Set to Remake
Create the Model
Open the Model in Remake
Analyze the Model for Defects
Export the Model as an OBJ File and Import into Meshmixer
Delete the Background
Cut the Bottom Off with Plane Cut
Resize the Model
Add a Loop and Combine All Parts
Print It!
Post-Process All the Things
Sanding and Sandpaper
Files and Drills
General Tools
Primers
Paints
Other Finishes and Materials
Discount Store Crafts Section
Smoothing and Concealing Layers
Summary
Index