MakerBot Educators Guidebook 3rd Edition

MAKERBOT EDUCATORS GUIDEBOOK Chapter 5: Teachers’ Tricks of the Trade
PAGE 120
SECTION 5.2
Z-Pause - Adding More to the 3D Print
If you’re looking to add another element to your 3D prints you can use your MakerBot printer’s Pause feature to pause
your print at a given Z-height or vertical length of the print. This method of Manual Z-Pause is commonly used by
educators when looking to change or add colors to make features of a student’s model pop.
Using Z-Pause, teachers and students can begin to incorporate the following:
CHANGE OF COLORS
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Name plates & School Logos
Detailed Designs
Diagrams with Text
ADDITION OF OTHER MATERIALS
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Magnets
Beads
Modeling Wire
SECURING MATERIALS
INTO PLACE
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Bearings
Fabrics
Jump Drives or USB Sticks
HOW IT’S DONE
This MakerBot logo print was first started using black filament to print the base and once it got to the actual logo design
we paused the printer and changed the filament to a white filament to make the logo standout from the original color.
TIP:
To pause your printer mid-print simply click ‘Pause’ on your MakerBot printer’s interface. The
extruder will go back to its home position and give you enough access to manipulate your print.
Z-Pause can also be used to add material to the inside of an ongoing print. One reason we might do this is to add
magnets or even enclosing a bearing on the print like we did above. This technique is great for making musical
instruments (by adding beads), making magnets, securing items in place, and even as shock absorbers (by adding
hot glue to the inside of the print).
TAKEAWAY
NOTE:
This process can be difficult to control
since you will need to keep a close eye on
your ongoing print in order to catch the
specific layer or section at which you will
be pausing your print.
TIP:
Older students can use this method as
well but if you’re working with younger
students we recommend teachers
actually do this part as the printer will be
paused and the extruder’s nozzle will still
remain hot!
Z-Pause is a great way to bring in another element into the 3D printing process and opens up the ways that 3D printing
can be used to bring a 3D print or prototype to another level. Using Z-Pause can also help students further familiarize
themselves with the potential capabilities of the MakerBot 3D printer giving them an added level of confidence and a
better understanding of how to leverage 3D printing.
MAKERBOT EDUCATORS GUIDEBOOK Chapter 5: Teachers’ Tricks of the Trade
PAGE 121