3D Printing

Churchlands SHS STEM Club has SEVERAL 3D Printers for use by STEM Club Members! The model printer we use is the Bambu Labs P1P.

3D Printing Software

Building a 3D Model:

The first step to 3D printing is 3D designing! Use either of the software packages below to start your 3D Designing journey.

Tinkercad - Easy models can be made online using this wonderful resource

Fusion 360 - This is for when you want to make more complex 3D models.

When you're ready to print, export your file as a STL.

In Tinkercad, ensure you are exporting the whole object and not just the selection
In Fusion, this is "Save as Mesh".

Printing your 3D Model:

Slice your file with Bambu Labs

If you'd like to use a Bambu Labs printer, you'll need this software:

https://bambulab.com/en-au/download

Use this link if you're having problems downloading

Download the version suited for your computer.

! IMPORTANT !

After installing the software using the default settings. Three things MUST be done before printing:

Change the printer type to Bambu Labs P1P
Change the build plate type to Textured PEI Plate
Make sure you are selecting PLA filament

Failure to do these things could result in a broken printer :(.

Slicing your 3D Model

Slicing the model is basically converting your model into flat layers what the 3D printer will use to sequentially lay down the plastic.

Insert your model and then press the "Slice" button with the default settings. You may wish to consider changing the speed to draft for larger models, or adding supports -->

Does your model have overhang and need supports?

Adding supports in Bambu Studio is as simple as enabling "Auto Supports" before slicing. However, life is never that easy...

Supports can sometimes be very difficult to remove, or waste lots of plastic. When designing your model, and when positioning the model for slicing, consider the best way to reduce supports.

Finding the SD Card

You'll find the SD card right here at the top of the printer - it's tiny! Just push it in and it'll pop out.

If your computer doesn't have a micro-sd slot, we have some adapters near the printers.

Please return them!

Saving to SD Card

After slicing your build, click the down arrow and select "Export sliced file"

Then, click that button!

Save the 3mf file to the SD card and note down the file name (put your name on the filename!)

Don't forget to take note of the total print time as you may need to write this down.

Starting the print

Switch the printer on if it's not already on (around the back, lower right)

Navigate (using the buttons) to the folder icon and find your file, and print away - Hooray!