3D Printing

3D Printing Night Class at Gorey Community School

3 Nights with a week off between each class.
Classes held on week 1, Week 3 and Week 5 on our calendar.

Night 1: Introduction to 3D Printing, Printer Calibration, and Library Models
Objective: Understand the basic theory of 3D printing, learn how to calibrate the printer, and explore
printing models from available libraries.
1. Introduction to 3D Printing (Theory)
- What is 3D printing and how it works
- Overview of 3D printing technologies (FDM, SLA, etc.)
- Common materials and their uses (PLA, ABS, etc.)
- Brief overview of the 3D printing process: Design -> Slicing -> Printing
2. Printer Calibration and Setup
- Importance of printer calibration
- How to calibrate the 3D printer (leveling the bed, adjusting extruder)
- Preparing the printer for the first print (loading filament, checking settings)
3. Printing Models from Available Libraries
- Introduction to popular 3D model libraries (Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, etc.)
- Finding and selecting printable models
- Importing models into slicing software (e.g., Cura, PrusaSlicer)
- Basic slicing settings (layer height, infill, supports)
4. Practical Exercise
- Calibrate a printer (if possible in class) or walk through the process
- Select and print a model from a library, focusing on basic slicing and settings
5. Wrap-up and Q&A
- Recap of the night's theory and hands-on learning
- Answer any questions

Night 2: Custom Designs with Tinkercad
Objective: Dive into custom 3D design using Tinkercad, learning how to create and modify objects
for printing.
1. Introduction to Tinkercad
- Creating a Tinkercad account and navigating the interface
- Basic tools and features (shapes, resizing, alignment, grouping)
2. Designing Custom Models
- Creating basic designs from scratch (e.g., keychains, small parts)
- Introduction to using text and complex shapes in Tinkercad
- Working with multiple objects: Grouping, aligning, and combining shapes
3. Preparing Designs for 3D Printing
- Exporting designs as STL files
- Introduction to preparing models for printing (scaling, orientation, supports)
4. Practical Exercise
- Create a custom design (e.g., a personalized keychain, small functional item)
- Export the design and discuss the best slicer settings for printing
5. Wrap-up and Q&A
- Recap of the day's lessons and concepts
- Answer any questions from the hands-on exercise

Night 3: Advanced Multi-Color Printing
Objective: Learn advanced techniques for multi-color 3D printing and explore the possibilities of
combining colors in a single print.
1. Introduction to Multi-Color Printing
- Overview of multi-color printing methods (e.g., dual extrusion, color swapping)
- Materials and considerations for multi-color printing
- Challenges and benefits of multi-color prints
2. Preparing Multi-Color Models
- How to design for multi-color printing in Tinkercad
- Using multiple filaments (e.g., filament switching, multi-material print heads)
- Understanding color blocking and filament management
3. Setting Up for Multi-Color Printing
- Using slicing software for multi-color prints (e.g., Cura's color settings, manual pause techniques)
- Setting up the printer for multi-color prints
- Tips for ensuring clean color transitions and minimizing errors
4. Practical Exercise
- Design and prepare a multi-color print (e.g., a model with color changes for specific features)
- Discuss the challenges and troubleshooting tips for multi-color printing
5. Wrap-up and Q&A
- Final review of multi-color printing techniques
- Discuss next steps for students interested in further exploration
- Open floor for questions and troubleshooting tips