Welcome to the Additive Manufacturing blog! This will serve as the main medium for project updates and collaboration throughout the semester. This is a quick test post to make sure the forum is functioning properly as well as an introduction to one of the Makerspace’s most popular machines: the Ultimaker 3.
Released in October 2016, the Ultimaker 3 rests on the higher end of consumer grade printers. The 3’s boast features such as a dual extrusion print head, automatic active leveling, and build plate temperature control. The beauty of these machines is their relatively shallow learning curve. It’s very easy to run a print initially, but customization of settings and plastic combinations create lots of potential for more technical projects.
(1) The dual extrusion head allows for use of multiple plastics in the same print.
The 3’s run on Ultimaker’s catch-all slicing program known as Cura. The software is excellent for prepping files both in orientation and slicing parameters. Variances can be made to shell thickness, layer height, infill density, and support quality, among others.
(2) The Ultimaker 3 laying down the first few layers of a calibration print.
These versatile machines are perfectly suited for the Makerspace’s needs, which is why we have 12 of them. They strike a nice balance with their ability to produce fast, cheap prints, while retaining the potential for technical, high resolution parts and assemblies.
This post is just the tip of the iceberg, we look forward to getting to know these machines and putting them to the test throughout the Semester!