3D Printing Tutorials

CSALT research projects have explored new concrete and clay recipes for 3D printing and the relationship of the digital process to design. Our 3DPotter printers are accessible for special research projects - and these tutorials assist with getting to know the process on our 3D Potter Printers. The eight pages below are listed in the order that you should learn about the printers. The general Q&A and tutorial page for 3D potter is found by clicking here: https://3dpotter.com/faq#setup.

Printer Assembly

Even if you don’t have to assemble the thing its still good to know how it comes together. Odds are there will be times you need to tighten a screw/belt or troubleshoot if something breaks.

1) for 3D Potterbot 9 XL

2) for Scara V4 floor mounted robot

Object Creation and Slicing

This tutorial from 3D Potter describes the steps for object creation and slicing for 3D printing on their machines using Simplify3D software (installed on CSALT computers). Click here for the object creation and slicing tutorial.

Screenshot of 3DPotter's printer control interface

Connecting to printer over wifi:

Click her for the tutorial for wifi connecting to either the 9XL or the ScaraV4.

Z-Rail height adjustment

Optional, this is only adjusted if you are wanting to print something that’s larger than the standard Z height.

Click here for Z-axis adjustment tutorial.

Basic maintenance of printer rails

Printer Rail maintenance tutorial.

Loading Tubes with wall mounted extruder

Loading tubes with the wall-mounted extruder is easy and should be used to test matrix consistency before attempting to use the pugmill. It is also much easier to clean. Click here for loading the hand-extruder tutorial.

Loading Tubes with Pugmill

Loading tubes with the pugmill is great in that it removes air from the clay or mixtures, but difficult in that it MUST be cleaned in order to allow the machine to function peoperly. Cleaning cannot be delayed and takes time. Be sure to leave at least one hour for cleaning as the machine and vacuum pump must be taken apart. Click here for loading tutorial.

How to change tubes

Changing tubes is an important part of a consistent 3D print if you intend on using more material than can be put into one tube. Click here for changing tubes tutorial.

I believe that’s most of it. The FAQ page has a lot more useful information like retraction settings and the simplify3D FFF files which are nice to just import and start printing without having to worry about all the settings.

Here is a link to the Iowa State University Potterbot Workflow document that is also excellent.