Reddit mentions: The best 3d printing books

Hm. I haven't actually read it, but if I was going to buy a book today it would be Additive Manufacturing Technologies: 3D Printing, Rapid Prototyping, and Direct Digital Manufacturing for several reasons:

1. AM is a rapidly evolving field and it was published very recently (Nov 27, 2014).
   
   
2. From reading the introduction and table of contents, it appears that it does a good job of discussing some very real issues with AM.
   
   
3. There are several sections devoted specifically to medical applications
   
   I realize it's expensive, but in this case I think it's justified. Additive manufacturing/Rapid Prototyping is a great technology which will make an impact on manufacturing, but separating the hype from the reality is a nightmare from anything freely available. On the Hype Cycle curve, it is right around the Peak of Inflated Expectations. Even on reddit (e.g. /r/science, /r/askscience, /r/technology) you'd get the impression that AM/RP is a magic technology with absolutely no drawbacks or limitations and it will replace every other form of manufacturing in 5 years.
   
   Neil Gershenfeld has a quote I like:
   
   > The coverage of 3D printing is a bit like the coverage of microwave ovens in the 50s. Microwaves are useful for some things, but they didn't replace the rest of your kitchen
   
   I hope I don't sound too down on AM/RP because it has definitely made a substantial positive impact on our design and prototyping work. However, if I was interviewing a new engineer I'd be most impressed with one that can accurately describe when it's appropriate to use.
   
   Edit: These aren't bad if you just want a brief overview:
   
   An Insider’s View of the Myths and Truths of the 3-D Printing ‘Phenomenon’
   
   Why 3D Printing Is Overhyped (I Should Know, I Do It For a Living)
   
   I'm having trouble coming up with a decent article on tolerances which is perhaps the biggest limitation.

1. Buy an autoleveling tool from amazon if you want to save a at least 3 hours leveling the bed. Nowadays it is really nice to have.
   
2. Since 3D printers are able to print additional tools it is recommended to make use of that. Therefore consider downloading or bookmarking these files i.e. feet dampener or filament feeder.
   
3. Also think about dampeners.
   
4. You want to have an extension cord ready
   
5. If noise is an issue, the dampers and feet will help, but best would be to build an enclose, also to safe it from people, dust, or animals. Nothing sucks more than to have a print fail midways for some stupid reason like getting knocked off. The measurements are 50x80x50cm without the spool holder.
   
6. You and him will encounter many failed prints along the way that will leave you questioning what the reason was. Until tomorrow there is a free ebook on troubleshooting. that might be good. I have not read it yet, but downloaded it.
   
7. Have fun.
   
8. Try to stay involved.
   
9. www.thingiverse.com will be a great resource for trying out stuff.
   

Off the top of my head:

• Expect the process to take months.
  
• Look up nearby spaces on the hackerspaces.org global list; reach out to them for advice as they'll have local knowledge and will get emails/inquiries from people looking for nearby spaces . Visit if you can and get to know them if possible. Ask for spare bits to get you going.
  
• Add your potential space to the global list on that site. Set up a "planning" mailing list and a site to hold basic information - don't build a full site yet, just a page you can send people to.
  
• Talk to everybody about it. Get it down to a 2 minute "elevator pitch". Be prepared to hear that it won't work and why. Address the why and learn from it. Look for the people that get excited and get them involved in the conversation. Find out what people in your local area want. Electronics? CNC? 3d Printers? Laser cutting? What about a club vs a for-profit model? Welding classes? Textiles and soft circuits? DIY Biotech?
  
• Read. Read more. I recommend these books because we've used them for our space. It's worth having a paper copy with your name @ number in it to loan out to people.
  
• Network - beyond talking to anybody who will listen, specifically look for connections to high schools, home school groups (assuming you want a space with kids, in both cases), university programs, trade school programs, and manufacturing businesses in your area. Look for connections who can help with tools, supplies, and expertise.

The rounded corners are caused by a combination of two things. minor overextrusion at the corner, as the print head slows but there is still pressure on the filament from printing quickly..... And heat build up at the corner due to the nozzle slowing down, combined with the elasticity of the hot plastic seeking the shorter round path rather than a tight corner.


Unfortunately, these two actors conspire to round all "sharp" corners on FDM machines to some degree.


This effect can be mitigated by rounding (or even clipping, if very small) the corners on your model.


Surprisingly, a very small rounding can sometimes even increase the sharpness of corners, but the main benefit lies in the lack of excess material at the apex which might otherwise interfere with interlocking parts.

There is a lot more info on this and other modeling issues for FDM machines in my book, functional design for 3d printing , available on Amazon.

Adjusting your acceleration / Jerk settings on your printer may help, but they may also increase heat build up at the corners.... So YMMV.

I find it is preferable to fix the model when possible so that it will print reliably on the widest range of printers and settings without having to tweak your adjustments for each print. (that was actually one of the main inspirations for writing the book)

Slowing will also help, as the extrusion pressure will be lower overall and the extrusion heater won't overshoot the temperature at the corner when the head slows down for the curve..... But I'd still try tweaking the model... After all, who likes to print slow?

This book could be an invaluable resource. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1449355676

For the one I ran at my university we had those plastic 4-tiered shelves you find at Lowes for garages and it was a free for all on recycled electronics. Purchased components went into well organized bins that I was always sorting.

Hi, I'm Zach Weinersmith, and I did the comic about how we're turning the ocean into tasty tasty seltzer. Bonus panel and hovertext here: http://smbc-comics.com/

Oh, and if you buy my new book, you'll finally be popular and be able to stop using reddit: https://www.amazon.com/Soonish-Emerging-Technologies-Improve-Everything/dp/0399563822/ref=la_B06XHKDZVZ_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1495641392&sr=1-1

Download your copy for FREE now! Expires this Friday 11/30/18: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KQCJVP7

From a different country? No problem! Just search "3D Printing Failures" from your local Amazon and find this version to download for free!

Just click “Buy now with 1-Click” to not sign up with Kindle Unlimited.

(REPOSTED due to url shortener)

Not sure what version you’re using but it should say something like quality/resolution/layer height.

They’re all the same thing. That looks like a 0.25 layer height. A 0.1 would be significantly better. If you don’t mind the print taking a long time, set it to 0.06, shit will be really smooth.

If you’re new to printing I suggest buying this.

The 3D Printing Handbook: Technologies, design and applications https://www.amazon.com/dp/9082748509/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YP7BCbS75NWF3

Edit also, if you don’t want that die to be unbalanced you’ll need to do one of a few options.

1. Double your wall thickness and use 0 infill
   
2. Use 100% infill (recommended for balance)
   3.try? A hexagonal infill. Idk. Honestly I’d go with #2

Volume 2 is free today http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-3D-Printing-Hardware-ebook/dp/B00DSCR92E -- it isn't bad. Yeah I guess everything is online but this is al toegther

depending on what he wants to use the printer for glow in the dark filament or this sweet book

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1497537460/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?keywords=functional%20design%20for%203d%20printing&qid=1402775378&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1