We have 3 Lulzbot Mini V2, 2 Lulzbot Workhorses, and 1 Lulzbot Pro available to use. We provide up to 500g of filament per JHED per semester for free. Surpassing this limit, guests are expected to provide their own filament.

Training for the FDM 3D printers can be done by registering to a training session on Hopkins Groups, or by walk-in during open lab hours.

Lulzbot Mini:

The LulzBot Mini is a high-performance desktop 3D printer that’s perfect for home users, makers, designers, engineers, architects, and anyone looking for an easy-to-use desktop 3D printer. It’s small and compact, great for small prints. We have also equipped the printer with specialty magnetic beds, allowing for increased bed adhesion and ease of removable after printing.

• Print Area: 152 mm x 152 mm x 158 mm (6 in x 6 in x 6.2 in)
• Print Volume: 3,650 cm³ (223 in³) of usable space

Lulzbot Workhorses:

The workhorse is a reliable and bigger 3D printer compared to the mini. With the larger volume, the workhorse allows for prints of bigger volume. We have also equipped the printer with specialty magnetic beds, allowing for increased bed adhesion and ease of removable after printing.

• Print Area: 280 mm x 280 mm x 285 mm (11.02 in x 11.02 in x 11.22 in)
• Print Volume 22,344 cm³ (1,362.56 in³)

Lulzbot Pro:

The LulzBot Pro is an industrial desktop 3D printer that provides large, multi-material, and soluble support printing.

• Print Area: 280 mm x 280 mm x 285 mm (11.02 in x 11.02 in x 11.22 in)
• Print Volume 22,344 cm³ (1,362.56 in³)

Rules for 3D printing

At the Makerspace, we provide 3 types of filament: TPU, PLA and PETG. We will print ONLY with these 3 filaments, no exceptions, due to concerns of toxic fumes and nozzle head capability.

Our printers are ONLY compatible with 2.85mm filament.

No weaponry may be printed using the Makerspace printers.

Procedure:

1. Write down JHED, grams, and print time on the sign in front of the printer.
2. Use one printer at a time.
3. Watch the printer to ensure the first layer sticks before leaving the area.
4. Ask a tech to assist with filament change and print removal (unless there is a magnetic bed attached).

Filament Usage:
1. Max 100g of filament per print.
2. For larger prints, contact the Makerspace manager for approval.
3. Each student is permitted 500g of free filament per semester. Surpassing this limit, guests are expected to provide their own filament.

3D Modeling

3D modeling is the process of developing a digital drawing in three dimensions via specialized software by manipulating edges, vertices, and polygons in a simulated 3D space. The current popular 3D modeling softwares are as follows:

• Solidworks: The most popular choice for 3D modeling by engineers. This is the program you would be using in industry, as well as provided for free by JHU. Find instructions on how to install it for free here
• Creo: Another very popular choice for 3D modeling in industry, though not as popular as Solidworks
• Fusion360: One of the most popular hobbyist 3D modeling software. This software is perfect for team collaboration with its cloud-sharing feature. *Free for .edu emails upon registration
• Shapr3D: Shapr3D is an intuitive 3D modeling program that you can download on your your iPad, and it is compatible with Apple pencils.*Free for .edu emails upon registration
• TinkerCAD: One of the most popular free 3D modeling softwares. It is perfect for hobbyists and for those just starting out.
• OnShape: Online 3D modeling software with basic functions. Its main advantage is that it allows for real-time collaboration, similar to Google Docs. *Free for .edu emails upon registration

If you’re still interested in 3D printing but have no experience modeling, you can find models available online for free at GrabCAD, Printable or Thingiverse. Most likely what you are looking for is already designed and uploaded onto one of these sites.

Splicing Software

Slicing software is used in 3D printing processes for the conversion of a 3D object model to specific instructions for the printer. In particular, it converts from a model in STL format to printer commands in g-code format. The slicer first divides the object as a stack of flat layers, followed by describing these layers as linear movements of the 3D printer extruder, fixation laser or equivalent. All these movements, together with some specific printer commands like the ones to control the extruder temperature or bed temperature, are written in the g-code file, which can be transferred to the printer in an SD card.

As our 3D printers are from Lulzbot, we use Cura Lulzbot as our slicing program. This is a proprietary version of Cura, a free slicer software.