Filament Available:
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
PLA is a natural plastic filament material used in 3D printing. It is vegetable-based using cornstarch or sugarcane as the raw material.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
TPU has characteristics that make it elastic like rubber and durable like plastic. TPU is a flexible and durable 3D printing filament. Colours are limited.
Finding 3D Projects
Looking to find predesigned things to print? There are heaps of sites out there. We have listed a few for you to browse.
Thingiverse | Cults | MyMiniFactory | Pinshape | Prusa Printers
Once you have picked your model - book your MakerSpace Project - download it and check with the SPSA's on size and colour and follow the Quickly Slice your 3D print form above!
Creating 3D Projects
For creating your own design, we recommend TinkerCad as beginner to intermediate modelling program!
Start Learning 3D | 3D Lessons | 3D Projects
We also suggest free and open source programs Blender and Meshmixer for creating, manipulating and cleaning up 3D prints.
Once your model is ready to print - show it to an MakerSpace SPSA, pick your colour and then down load it and follow the Quickly Slice your 3D print form above!
Hints if the 3d printers are playing up:
Loading filament
Access the 3D print menu by pressing the orange rotary knob. Scroll the menu by rotating the knob and select ‘load filament’. Select which plastic is to be loaded (PLA unless specified). The nozzle will preheat. When finished preheating, load the plastic into the hole on top of the extruder block (looks like a round chimney), pushing down on the plastic until it travels no further and then press the orange rotary knob. You should then feel the machine pull the plastic in. After a moment the display will ask if filament is extruding of the correct colour, select yes or no. If you select no multiple times and there is still no filament, verify the machine is pulling the plastic in by holding your finger lightly against the plastic at the top of the chimney hole and feeling if it is being pulled in.
Unloading filament
With filament in, enter the 3D print menu by pressing the orange rotary knob. Scroll the menu by rotating the knob and select ‘unload filament’. Hold the plastic at the top of the print head gently pulling upwards during the next steps ready to pull the plastic out. Select which plastic is currently loaded (PLA unless otherwise specified). The nozzle will preheat to unload OR instantly begin unloading depending on nozzle temperature. When unloading, the printer will push the plastic upwards and you need to pull the rest of the plastic out immediately. If unload fails, try again. If it consistently doesn’t, the machine may need to be taken apart and inspected.
Firmware Updates
Prusa printers require firmware updates several times a year and will need to be done in order to keep the program running at it's best. Below is a link to an easy YouTube how to together with a link to the Prusa Firmware Update Page. Ensure you are downloading the correct firmware for you Prusa Printer - Ourimbah and Auchmuty have slightly different printer.
Reserve some project time at the MakerSpace:
LINDA COX | MAKERSPACE COORDINATOR OURIMBAH
Ourimbah Library MakerSpace, OIRC 209, Second Floor Ourimbah Library, Red Door @ top of the stairs.
10 Chittaway Road, Ourimbah NSW 2258
02 4348 4009
JULIAN GILLARD | MAKERSPACE OFFICER AUCHMUTY
Auchmuty Library MakerSpace is located in room L-321 on Level 3 of the Auchmuty Library.
University Dr, Callaghan NSW 2308
