students.autodesk.com

Introduc)on to 3D Prin)ng and
Computer-­‐Aided Design
Sebas)an Peck
September 1, 2011

BIDC Website -­‐ pathology.ucsf.edu/bidc
Biomicroscopy Wiki -­‐ biomicroscopy.ucsf.edu

What is 3D prin)ng?
• Create or “print” REAL 3D objects from a computer file using fused
deposi)on modeling (FDM)
CAD File from Inventor,
Solidworks or other 3D
Design soVware
exported into a .stl
Real 3D object
• Materials: Acrylic Plas)cs, ABS Plas)cs, Glass, Flexible Plas)cs, Ceramics

Objet’s Prin)ng Process
• 2 materials: part and support
• 3 axis of movement – build part layer by layer

h[p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBqr1vawoaU

Why 3D print?
• Fast – Turnaround )me can be Days or even
hours (vs. weeks for a machine shop)
• Easy and quick re-­‐design/development of
parts
• Parts can be used for anything:
– Examples: lung suc)on windows, sample holders,
pipe[e holders, objec)ve holders
• Perfected designs can be machined out of
more durable materials

Process for Prin)ng:
(using the BIDC Objet)
1. Design a part/assembly in a CAD program
2. Export into .stl format
3. Talk to Jessica or Sebas)an (in BIDC)
4. Load and Print on a Printer
5. Wash part with the Water Jet

Computer-­‐Aided Design
Op)ons:
• AutoDesk Inventor
– Free 3 year license with a .edu email address
– students.autodesk.com
• Solidworks
– www.solidworks.com
• Google Sketch up
– Sketchup.google.com
• And More…

AutoDesk Inventor

Tray Layout on Objet Computer

3 Op)ons for Prin)ng:
1. At the BIDC on the Objet Alaris 30
– Advantages: highest resolu)on and detail
– Disadvantages: material is not as strong
2. At the CAT on the Dimension uPrint
– Advantages: prints ABS Plas)c
– Disadvantages: lower resolu)on and not as
smooth
3. Shapeways.com
– Advantages: Many different types of material/
printers to choose from
– Disadvantages: longer turnaround for parts

The BIDC Printer – Alaris 30
Layer Thickness
Accuracy
Printer Stats:
Build Size
Resolu)on
Material Cost
Layer Thickness
Build Size
Material Cost
– 28 um
– 0.1 mm
– 11.57 x 7.58 x 5.85 in
– 600 x 600 x 800 dpi
– 30 cents/gram
The CAT (Center for Advanced Technology) Printer –
Dimension uPrint
– 254 um
– 8 x 8 x 6 in
– 4.5 dollars/cubic inch

3 rd Op)on – www.shapeways.com
Stainless Steel, Alumide, Glass, UV Curable Plas)c, Transparent, Sterling Silver, Grey ABS

Thanks for your Time!
Any Further Ques)ons?
Email: Sebas)an.Peck@ucsf.edu
Or Jessica.Wong@ucsf.edu
Stop by room S-­‐1126
Pathology.ucsf.edu/BIDC