3D Printing Guide

Mandatory 3D Printing for all SLDPs

All SLDP groups, except RAD groups, will be required to design and 3D print a one-color logo. All specifications outlined in the Logo specification section must be met. If a group designs and 3D prints a course modification or robot part for extra credit, they will be excused from the mandatory one-color logo 3D print. All groups may design and print a two-color logo to meet the mandatory 3D printing requirement and will receive extra credit for using two colors. Deadlines for this mandatory print are outlined in the deadlines section below.

Groups must submit a .STL file of a logo through the 3D Printing Submission portal by Benchmark A and receive approval from a ProtoLab TA by Benchmark B.The printed logo is a requirement for commissioning, and failure to do so will result in point penalties on the project grade.

Mandatory 3D Printing for HIR

For all students working on the Housing & Innovation in Revit (HIR) project, there will be a mandatory 3D print required for commissioning. Groups must submit a .STL file of a single floor plan through the 3D Printing Submission portal by Benchmark A and receive approval from a ProtoLab TA by Benchmark B Benchmark B. The printed floor plan is a requirement for commissioning, and failure to do so will result in point penalties on the project grade.

3D Printing Extra Credit

The 3D printing extra credit is given for designing a two-color company logo, robot part, or course modification in any CAD (Computer Aided Design) software of your choice and having it approved for printing by a 3D printing specialist. Your designs will then be printed on a first come first served basis (If EG cannot print your design due to time or material constraints you will not be penalized).

Specifications

Logos:

• Maximum material usage does not exceed 15 grams total
• Can be one or two colors
  • One color logos are mandatory for all SLDP groups except RAD
  • Two color logos are extra credit for all SLDP groups except RAD
  • Two STL files are required for two-color logos
• Logos must be integrated with your project in some way:
  • Pin worn during final presentation
  • Attached to robot during commissioning video
    • Add provided Lego technic beam model to your part to allow it to be connected to your robot (in important downloads tab on the EG website)
• Must be original content
  • Cannot simply be text on a geometric shape
• Must be .STL extension with correct scaling

Figure 1: Example of a good logo

Figure 2: Example of a bad logo

Robot Parts:

• Maximum 1 Color
  • Maximum print size (7 x 8 x 7 in) and material usage cannot exceed 300 grams
  • If a part exceeds the maximum size, it cannot be split into multiple pieces for printing
  • Object may not be touched after the robot has started to run
• Original Design
  • Must be different from other groups’ submissions
  • Will be judged by 3D printing TA’s and Professors
• Must have functional purposes and can help the robot in traversing through the course in some way; cannot be used for aesthetic purposes
• Must be .STL extension with correct scaling

Course Modifications:

• Maximum 1 Color
  • Can be printed in multiple parts; up to two Ultimaker buildplates (7 x 8 x 7 inches)
  • Must be used as one part
    • Different printed parts must be assembled together
    • Printed parts cannot be taped or glued together
  • Object may not be touched after the robot has started to run
• Original Design
  • Must be different from other groups’ submissions
  • Will be judged by 3D printing TA’s and Professors
• Must be .STL extension with scaling
  • Submit as .zip file if has multiple parts

Housing in Revit Models:

• One mandatory floorplan for commissioning
• Maximum two additional 3D printed floorplans for extra credit
• Maximum print size 7 x 8 x 7 in
  • Wall height must be to scale with the floorplan
  • If printing multiple floors, second and third floors must nest on top of first floor
    • Elevator shafts aligning, stairs aligning, etc.
• Original designs
  • Must be different from other groups' submissions
• Must be .STL extension
  • Refer to Revit How To Guide for assistance with STL conversion: https://manual.eg.poly.edu/images/7/78/Revit_How_To_Guide.pdf

Software

To design your logo you will need any CAD software as well as CURA. There are many options for software that can be used, the only necessary feature is that the software can export files as an STL (stereolithography) extension. Some examples of these pieces of software are:

• Autodesk Fusion 360 – Free student edition
• Autodesk Inventor – Free student edition
• 123D – Free (Online)
• TinkerCAD – Free (Online)
• Blender – Free (Open source)
• OpenSCAD – Free (Open source)
• Solidworks – Available in NYU computer labs
• Rhinoceros – Free for mac

To make a 2 color design you will need to save your logo in two separate STL files (one for each color). The two files are then imported into CURA aligned and separate extruders are selected for each color.

Design Considerations

• Make a flat bottom: A large flat bottom increases the adhesion between the build platform and the part, keeping the part from shifting around during a print.
• Keep overhangs close to 45 degrees: Each layer of a 3D print needs to be supported from below. You can avoid adding additional supports to a print if all the overhanging parts are at no more than a 45 degree angle from vertical.
• Avoid thin walls and thin columns: Thin walls and column often do not come out well. The thickness of a thin wall should be a multiple of 0.35mm. Thin columns will usually come out distorted because they melt under the nozzle.

Submission and General Guidelines

• Submission of your 3D designed parts will take place through the EG website using the “3D Printing Submission” tab of the left menu. DO NOT USE THE NORMAL SUBMISSION TAB. Your submissions must be .STL files or .zip files.
• If your logo has two colors, you must compress your two STL files into a .zip file for submission.
• Make sure to submit an STL with the correct scaling.
  • If you choose to build your model in inches, remember to convert to millimeters before saving the STL
• After your submission has been received, stop by the Modelshop to work with a ProtoLab TA at your earliest convenience. This process is necessary for your files to be approved and printed.
• Once your design has been approved, you can choose to print it at the EG ProtoLab or self-print it at the MakerSpace. However, if you choose to self-print, it must be first approved by a ProtoLab TA, and the final printed part must be shown to a ProtoLab TA to receive extra credit.
• When you pick up your print, you will receive a “Proof of Approval” that recognizes the validity of your print. Please keep the slip with your printed part at all times - you will not be allowed to use the printed part unless the slip is present.
• As you are submitting your 3D designs for your logos, course modifications, or robot parts, please keep in mind the requirements posted on the EG Manual. If you have any further questions, please stop by the Modelshop and inquire a ProtoLab TA.

Deadlines

• Initial STL file submission is due by Benchmark A (week of 10/7)
  • The 3D printing process can take multiple revisions, you are required to submit the first attempt by Benchmark A, but you will be allowed to make any modifications until the final deadline of Benchmark B. If you miss the Benchmark B deadline, subsequent submissions will not be considered.
• Final STL approval is due by Benchmark B (week of 10/28)
  • No further submissions will be considered after this date for extra credit prints
  • All submissions must be approved by this deadline
    • Exceptions applies to mandatory prints -
      • Mandatory prints will be allowed to receive approval of one-color logo, penalty on Benchmark B will occur for not meeting deadline
• Printed part by Commissioning Deadline (week of 10/2)
• If you choose to self-print your design, you must first receive approval by the Benchmark B deadline and then return to the ProtoLab with your printed part to receive the Proof of Approval Form by the Final SLDP Submission date (week of 10/2).
  • You will not be able to Commission without a signed Proof of Approval Form
• These deadlines are applicable to mandatory HIR prints, mandatory logo prints, extra credit prints fulfilling the mandatory logo print requirement, and all SLDPs extra credit prints
  • Extra Credit floor-plans for HIR are subjected to the extra credit deadlines detailed below

ProtoLab Schedule

• Monday, Tuesday and Friday 12PM to 6PM
• Wednesday and Thursday 2PM to 6PM