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1. 3D printing and CAD modifications

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eli-silver edited this page Nov 20, 2024 · 1 revision

Downloading the files

  1. To Download the GitHub Files, click “Code” → “Download ZIP”.

  2. Then go to Downloads to expand the zip file. Double-click on the "Filament_DropGen-main" folder or right-click on it and click on "Expand Zip" (and possibly move the folder to a more convenient location to save and access it).

  3. Everything needed to print the necessary parts of DropGen or edit the native 3D models can be found in the CAD/ folder.

3D printing components

3D print files are located in the CAD/3D_Print_Files/ folder. To make setting up prints easier, there are .3mf projects for Bambu Studio and PrusaSlicer 3D printing software. These are full scenes with all models oriented correctly, support surfaces selected, and print settings in place.

We recommend verifying that the print settings and model orientations are correct whether printing from a .3mf project or setting up your own print files from scratch.

Print settings:

  • PLA filament
  • 0.4 mm nozzle
  • 0.2 mm layer height (including first layer height)
  • 3 walls
  • 5 solid top layers
  • 5 solid bottom layers
  • 25% infill

Model orientations:

STL files are oriented such that surfaces that seal with an o-ring are printed without supports. The defects left by supports can keep DropGen from sealing properly.

Model supports:

We recommend using 'normal' supports rather than 'tree' supports for printing DropGen parts. You can select support surfaces manually or rely on your slicer's automatically generated supports.

Light blue surfaces are placed flat on the 3D printer build plate. Dark blue surfaces are manually selected supports.

Editing the 3D Models

  1. Download Autodesk Fusion 360 here: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/trial-intake (free for educational use) from the Autodesk website https://www.autodesk.com/.

  2. Open Fusion and Set up an Account.

  3. To open the recently downloaded files in Fusion, click the blue button “New Project” in the top right of the left sidebar.

  4. and give the new project a name.

  1. To upload the file you just downloaded from GitHub, double-click on the project to open it and click "Upload" in the top right corner of the left sidebar.

  2. Then click on "Select files", go to your download folder (or wherever you may have moved the file to), and select the recently downloaded dropgen_assembly.f3z file. Click on "Open" or drag the file from the download folder into the window and then click on "Upload".

  3. Four individual files will now open in the left sidebar. The dropgen assembly file contains an overview of what the finished droplet generator should look like, as well as the CAD models for the holder and carrier which can be edited here. The dropgen nozzle file contains the nozzle assembly (which should be edited here) and the dropgen reservoir file contains the reservoir (which should be edited here).

  4. Once any edits to the models are complete and new designs are ready for 3D printing, you must save the export the models as .stl files. To export, select the component containing the body you have modified by hovering over the component. If you hover the cursor over it or click on it, a white circle will appear next to it. Click on the white circle to activate the corresponding component. Make sure that there is only one body within the selected component. If there are any sub-components that contain multiple bodies, use the dropdown arrow to the left of the component and select the correct component further down the file tree.

  5. Once you have selected the component to print, right-click it and click “Save as Mesh”.

  6. Make sure the “Selection” says “STL” and then click “Ok”.

  7. Save the mesh to the desired location on your computer from which you want to access it with the 3D printing software.

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