Overview
The current list of 3D printers which have available in the Dyson Centre 3D printing area, for use by undergraduates is:
- Five IdeaWerk/RS 3D printers (plus a number of spares) - [above left image]
- Two Ultimaker 2+ Extended 3D printers - [above centre image]
- One Ultimaker 3 Extended 3D printer - [above right image]
Undergraduates are able to operate the RS/IdeaWerk and Ultimaker machines if they have been shown how (by a Technician from the Dyson Centre Desk, the 3D Printing Society, or a friend familiar with using and paying for 3D printing in the Dyson Centre). The slides or manuals below could also be used for guidance (note the manuals are quite detailed as they cover everything we think you might need to know).
(Researchers and Members of Staff may be able to use the 3D printers if there is spare capacity and Staff time available to assist, though there are additional charges for using the machines for research purposes to cover the machine maintenance, replacement and Staff costs - please enquire at the Dyson Centre desk. The priority, though, remains use by undergraduates.)
Ideawerk/RS 3D Printers (Aimed at Novices/Faster/Smaller Prints)
- How to 3D Print in the Dyson Centre lecture slides (PDF) (PPTX-less-video) (PPTX-Google)
- Dyson Centre manual for Ideawerk/RS 3D printer (PDF) (DOCX)
- Software for generating files for IdeaWerk/RS 3D printers (known as Doraware-P) installed on all computers in the Dyson Centre or download here from Google Drive - for use on Windows machines only.
- See "Paying for your 3D prints" below.
Ultimaker 2+ Extended (Aimed at More-Experienced-Users/Larger Prints)
The Ultimakers produce more high definition print and have more options and are therefore more complex to both use and create the file to use with them. We would recommend using the RS Ideawerk printer before using these.
- Dyson Centre manual for "Ultimaker 2+ Extended" 3D printer (PDF) (DOCX)
- CURA software for use with Ultimaker machines installed on all computers in the Dyson Centre, or download from Ultimaker's website.
- See "Paying for your 3D prints" below.
Ultimaker 3 Extended (Aimed at Experts/Disolvable-Support-Material)
- Dyson Centre manual for "Ultimaker 3 Extended" 3D printer (PDF) (DOCX)
- See "Paying for your 3D prints" below.
Paying for your 3D prints
To pay for your 3D prints use EPOS by clicking on the link below:
www.dysoncentre.eng.cam.ac.uk/pay
Printing charges for undergraduates are:
- Ideawerk/RS printer: £1 per every 30g, rounded up to the next highest whole pound.
- Ultimaker printer: £1 for every 20g, rounded up to the next highest whole pound.
Don't forget to also fill out a charge sheet (in the 3D printing area) indicating 'EPOS payment', and drop this in the box on the Dyson Centre desk.
Special and Other Filaments
- What sort of colours of filaments are available?
- An example of a 3D printing bureau service
- Find out about STL files here
RLR20, 28 April 2022