3d-printing-bukobot-faq [Bukobot 3D Printer Instructions & Docs]

====== 3D Printing & Bukobot Frequently Asked Questions ======

===== 3D Printing =====

==== What is 3D Printing? ====
3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is the process of transforming a digital 3D model into an actual 3D object.  By laying down layer upon layer of ABS (the plastic found in Legos) or PLA (an eco friendly plastic) filament, Bukobot translates the 3D model, from digital files available on the web or created with 3D software, into a tangible, 3D object.  

Additive manufacturing has been around since the 1980s, but, in the past, was used mostly by engineers and designers for prototyping purposes, before relying on traditional manufacturing techniques, such as injection molding, for the mass production of their designs.  Recently, however, 3D printers have become more affordable for small businesses and consumers thanks to independent hobbyists.  The community behind the [[http://reprap.org|RepRap]] open source 3D printer, in particular, fueled this growing trend by allowing the designs of the RepRap to be available online for free, promoting shared innovation and improvement of printer designs.  

===== 3D Objects =====

==== What can Bukobot print? ====
As the technology progresses, the possibilities of what will be printable are infinite.  Most desktop 3D printers like Bukobot are used to print prototypes, [[http://www.stratasys.com/lp/magicarms/|highly customized parts]], [[http://on3dprinting.com/tag/toys|toys]], jewelry, art pieces, and [[http://www.freshfiber.com/home|accessories]]; however, there are advanced 3D printer users who have hacked their printers to print [[http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-cetera/laywood-filaments-lets-you-3d-print-with-wood-20120921/|wood filament]], [[http://3dprinting.com/materials/metal/3d-printing-metal/|metal]], [[http://www.good.is/posts/3d-candy-printing-an-interview-with-designer-marcelo-coelho/|candy]], [[http://www.core77.com/blog/materials/carbomorph_material_enables_3d-printed_electronics_from_any_3d_printer_23947.asp|electronics]], [[http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120926-desktop-drugstores|ibuprofen]], and even [[http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-20002741-52.html|human tissue]].  While Bukobot is not built principally for these purposes, if you are a brave and knowledgeable hacker, you can modify your Bukobot in any way you’d like and post your experiments on the Buko forum.
==== Where can I find and download 3D objects to print? ====
There are many sites to get 3D objects from, here is a list of a few popular ones:
  * [[http://Thingiverse.com|Thingiverse]] - An extremely popular site for downloading free 3D objects made by the 3D printing community.
  * [[http://www.instructables.com|Instructables]] - A huge site with step-by-step how-tos for all sorts of DIY projects, including ideas for your 3D printer complete with object files.
  * [[http://www.shapeways.com/3d_parts_database|Shapeways 3D Objects]] - A marketplace for objects and downloadable models. 
  * [[http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/|Trimble 3D Warehouse]] - Formally Google 3D Warehouse, this site is populated mostly by architectural and interior design models. 

A collection of some useful, fun or interesting things can be found [[useful-or-interesting-things-to-print|here]].

==== Which 3D design or CAD programs are compatible with 3D printers? ====
In general, any program that outputs to an "STL" or "OBJ" file format may be used for 3D printing on a Bukobot.
Here's a list of some popular software which can export to a compatible program:
^App^Platform^Description^Links^License^
|[[http://www.openscad.org/|OpenSCAD]]\\ {{:bukobot-openscad.png?100|http://www.openscad.org/}}|Mac\\ Win\\ Linux|OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. The Bukobot was mostly designed using OpenSCAD. It does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling but instead on the CAD aspects and provides two main modeling techniques: Constructive Solid Geometry (aka CSG) and extrusion of 2D outlines. It's also a very good CAD program to make designs parameteric and easy to modify by other users.|[[http://www.openscad.org/]]\\ Manual:[[http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual]]|Free/Open Source (GNU GPL v2)|
|[[https://tinkercad.com/|TinkerCAD]]\\ {{:tinkercad-example.png?100|https://tinkercad.com}}|Online (Firefox / Chrome Browser)|Tinkercad supports all 3D printers on the market that accept the industry standard STL file format.|[[https://tinkercad.com/]]|Free & Subscription Pricing|
|[[http://www.blender.org/|Blender]]{{:blender_icon.png?100|http://blender.org}}|Mac\\ Win\\ Linux|Lots of documentation and videos online. Specific support for 3d printing: remove duplicate vertices, select non-manifold.|[[http://www.blender.org/]]\\ [[blender-notes|Setting up Blender to use with Bukobot]]\\ [[blender-manifold-and-exporting|Preparing models for printing using Blender]]|Free/ Open Source|
|[[http://www.sketchup.com/|Trimble Sketchup (formally Google Sketchup]]{{:sketchup-icon.png?100|http://www.sketchup.com}}|Mac\\ Win|Dozens of video tutorials, an extensive Help Center and a worldwide user community mean that anyone who wants to make 3D models with SketchUp, can.|[[http://www.sketchup.com/]]|Free & Pro Pricing|
|[[http://www.123dapp.com/design/|Autodesk 123D Design]]\\ {{:icon_Design_90x90.png?100|http://www.123dapp.com/design/}}|Win\\ Mac\\ iPad\\ Browser|In addition to 123D Design, Autodesk also have 123D Catch (for building 3D models from photos) and 123D Sculpt (for building 3D models like modelling clay). |123D Design: [[http://www.123dapp.com/design]] (Win,Mac,iPad,browser)\\ 123D Catch: [[http://www.123dapp.com/catch]] (Win, iOS and browser)\\ 123D Sculpt: [[http://www.123dapp.com/sculpt]] (iPad only)|Proprietary (but Free)|
===== Printing Materials =====
==== What printing materials can a Bukobot use? ====
Currently, the Bukobots can extrude [[http://www.reprap.org/wiki/PLA|PLA]], [[http://www.reprap.org/wiki/ABS|ABS]] and [[http://www.reprap.org/wiki/PVA|PVA]] thermoplastics. With ABS, a heated platform is required to produce the best quality prints.
We are also developing a new nozzle design to extrude polycarbonate and nylon in the near future.

==== Recommended sources to get quality filament ====

[[http://Printbl.com|Printbl.com]] - Carries the best (in our opinion) PLA made by the best guys in the business.

[[http://Ultimachine.com|Ultimachine.com]] & [[http://protoparadigm.com|Protoparadigm.com]] - Great quality ABS plastics.

For a big international list of suppliers, go to: [[http://reprap.org/wiki/Printing_Material_Suppliers|Reprap Printing Supplies]]
===== Bukobot Printer Software =====
==== What software do I need to run a Bukobot? ====
Since the Bukobot is a Reprap style 3D printer, you can use almost any Reprap compatible software to run the printer.
For controlling the printer, we recommend using [[https://github.com/repetier/Repetier-Host|Repetier Host (Mac, Win, Linux)]] but another alternative is [[https://github.com/kliment/Printrun|Pronterface (Mac, Win, Linux)]].
**Repetier Host** has [[http://slic3r.org|Slic3r]] included to create the tool path for 3D objects but [[http://fabmetheus.crsndoo.com|Skeinforge]] can be used as an alternative. See also [[software-to-install]].
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