what is it?
Our RoBo 3D printer is one of many different affordable desktop 3D printers designed for light use by home hobbyists and schools.
But what is 3D printing? Take a look at these two short videos for a very brief overview of the process:
But what is 3D printing? Take a look at these two short videos for a very brief overview of the process:
What is 3D Printing from Funk-e Studios on YouTube.
Key Understandings about 3D Printing:
- Uses an additive process to place layers of material to create an object.
- Varying levels of detail can be produced, depending on printer.
- Requires 3D model or modeling software.
- Available at a variety of price points.
That brings us to our printer in particular, the RoBo 3D R1. Here's a quick time lapse video of it in action:
Key Information about the RoBo 3D R1 Printer:
- Able to print with a variety of materials, including plastic and wood filament.
- Resolutions between 0.1mm and 0.3mm.
- 8"x8" heated, self-leveling print bed.
- One of the largest print volumes (finished size of object) at the price point.
- Custom software designed for beginning users.
Points To Ponder:
Before moving on, please take the time to consider the following questions. Again, as this is a personal learning path, you don't not have to write anything down but you are encouraged to record your thoughts in some manner.
Guiding Questions:
Before moving on, please take the time to consider the following questions. Again, as this is a personal learning path, you don't not have to write anything down but you are encouraged to record your thoughts in some manner.
Guiding Questions:
- How do you view your students using the RoBo 3D printer?
- What about 3D printing excites you? What makes you nervous?
why would i use it?
Carefully review the graphic below that outline some possible uses for a 3D printer in different subject areas:
The potential uses seem endless. Suddenly, objects that were just an idea can quickly become reality right in front of your students' eyes.
From creating custom Lego pieces to developing new and customized tools, students can put a 3D printer to use in many different ways.
When you add in research that suggests 3D thinking and printing can improve math and science skills, it becomes more convincing to include this tool into your planning.
Points to Ponder:
From creating custom Lego pieces to developing new and customized tools, students can put a 3D printer to use in many different ways.
When you add in research that suggests 3D thinking and printing can improve math and science skills, it becomes more convincing to include this tool into your planning.
Points to Ponder:
- Quickly think of three ways you might have used a 3D printer in the past 6 months.
- Think back to a project or task that you gave to students last year. How could access to a 3D printer have improved the task for some students?
how do i use it?
In order to use the RoBo 3D printer successfully, you need to know two major things: the basic operation of the printer itself and how to access or design 3D models.
Operating The Printer:
Running the RoBo 3D is both a simple and complex procedure. As a 'hobbyist' machine, it requires time spent of determining the best settings for conditions in which the printer is being used. Lucky for you, this work has already been done by an 'expert' and makes basic operation much more simple.
Please review the following video that covers basic operating procedures that you might need to use:
Operating The Printer:
Running the RoBo 3D is both a simple and complex procedure. As a 'hobbyist' machine, it requires time spent of determining the best settings for conditions in which the printer is being used. Lucky for you, this work has already been done by an 'expert' and makes basic operation much more simple.
Please review the following video that covers basic operating procedures that you might need to use:
Using the Software:
The main software used to control the RoBo 3D printer is a version of MatterControl, developed by MatterHackers, that has been customized specifically for the RoBo 3D.
To support your use of their software, MatterHackers has developed an easy to follow guide for using MatterControl.
You can find that guide here: MatterControl - Getting Started
3D Models:
The topic of creating 3D models will be covered in another tutorial that will be found within the Tools section of this website. Due to the wide range of software that can be used, it is simply too much to cover in this section.
As the purpose to this section is to teach you how to use the RoBo 3D printer you will need to know how to access a 3D model in order to print your first object.
Currently, a highly popular source of 3D models (in the form of .STL files) that are ready to be printed is Thingiverse. The website, created by Makerbot Industries, is a database of user created 3D files. These files can then be imported into MatterControl (see tutorial above) and printed on the RoBo 3D.
In order to download a 3D model, simply navigate to www.thingiverse.com and use the Explore menu or search box to find an appropriate model.
Once you have found a model you wish to print, click on 'Download this Thing!' and save the file onto your computer.
Now you can open it in MatterControl and print away!
Key Understandings about Operating the RoBo 3d Printer:
- As a low-cost, hobby machine it requires regular maintenance and setting adjustments.
- Requires MatterControl software to operate.
- Requires a 3D model, in the form of an .STL file, for printing.
- Can be very hot. Do not touch any part of the printer while it is operating.