Subject: Computer Studies

Topic: 3D printing using Tinkercad

Grade: VI

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 Ruler Tool

The Ruler tool allows us to measure the

different dimensions of objects and
distances between them.

To use the ruler:

• Drag the Ruler tool from the top-right section
onto the workplane.
• You can click and drag the circle to move the
ruler. It allows you to align the ruler to any
node of your object by dragging it.

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 Snap Grid

Tinkercad moves the objects on the workplane by

1mm increments.
The snap grid feature in Tinkercad allows you to make
smaller or larger movements.
The Snap Grid is placed at the bottom
right corner of the design area. You can
click the drop-down arrow to see the
snap grid options. The lower the
number, the higher the precision with
which you can move objects.

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 Edit Grid
Step 1: Click the Edit Grid option present at the bottom
right corner of the workplane.
Step 2: Enter the desired width and height of the new
grid that you would like to use.
Step 3: Click the Update Grid option to change the size
of the workplane.

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 Changing the units of measurement
• Click “Edit Grid” in the bottom right hand corner
of the workplane.
• Click on the drop down arrow of Units to switch
to Millimeters / Inches.

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 Converting images into 3D Models
The selected image must have only solid colours
that does not include gradients or shadows. To
convert 2D images to 3D objects, the image needs
to be converted into SVG format.

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 The 3D Printing Process
Main Components of the 3D Printer

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 Main Components of a 3D Printer

Filament: It is the ink of a 3-D printer. It is loaded

on a spool. The filament used is either ABS or PLA.
ABS is short for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. It is
the original filament created for 3-D printing.

Extruder: It is the core of the 3D printer. It is a

place where the plastic gets drawn in, melted, and
pushed out.

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 Main Components of a 3D Printer
Nozzle: It is a small hollow steel rod. It is used
by the extruder to push the melted filament
onto the print bed.

Print bed: The print bed is the surface on which

the 3D objects are printed.

Layer cooling fan: It is used to cool the plastic

immediately after it is deposited by the nozzle.
It helps the object to hold its shape.
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 Main Components of a 3D Printer

SD Card reader: It helps to load the design files

and other information directly to the 3D printer
without the need to have a computer instruct
the printer on what to print.

http://allabout3dprinting.com/the-parts-of-a-3d-pri
nter/
https://www.matterhackers.com/articles/anatomy-o
f-a-3d-printer

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 Maintenance of a 3D Printer
• Do not use the printers unless you have been
trained to do so.
• Always keep the built plate clean.
• Ensure surfaces that slide against each other
are sufficiently lubricated to operate smoothly
and not cause friction that could physically
wear out the parts.
• The nozzle may clog from time to time. Thus
you should clean the nozzle periodically with a
small drill.

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 Maintenance of a 3D Printer

• Tighten the pulley screws as due to the

continuous motion there are vibrations in the
system that result in the loosening of the
pulley screws.
• Always remove the filament from the printer
and keep it away from moisture when the
machine is not in use.

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 Exporting and Printing
Once you have completed designing
your 3D object using Tinkercad, you
need to export it as an .STL file.
Step 1: Click the Export button
present at the top right of the
Tinkercad window.
Step 2: From the download menu,
you can select the following:
Include option:
• Everything in the design: It is used to print the
entire model at the same time.
• Selected shapes: It is used to print the different
parts of your design separately.
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 Exporting and Printing
Creating the STL file

Click on the .STL option to save the file in the STL

format. Once you click on .STL, the 3D model is
saved locally with an .STL file extension and it gets
downloaded in the Downloads folder of the C
drive.
This STL file can be opened in XYZware and then
printed using the 3D printer.

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 XYZware

View

Move

Move

Scale e

Info

Remove

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 XYZware Interface
The functions of different icons displayed on the
left hand side of the XYZware are given below:

View: It is used to view the object contents and

structure from any angle.

Move: It is used to adjust the value of the X, Y

and Z axis to change the printing position of the
object on the print bed.

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 XYZware Interface

Rotate: It is used to improve the quality of

printing and the strength of the object.

Scale: The scale function allows you to enlarge

or reduce the printing proportionally without
affecting the original file.

Info: It is used to find more information about

the object size and position in the “Information”
window.
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 XYZware Interface

Remove: To delete model(s) from the virtual

print bed, simply select the object(s) and click
the "Remove" icon. To choose multiple
objects, press Shift key while selecting.
The XYZware automatically finds any
inappropriately positioned object and marks
it with
a distinguishing color. This prevents the object
from being printed off the print bed.

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 Print Options

To Print: You can select the da Vinci 1.0 series

or da Vinci 2.0 Duo series for output. You can
modify the printing results by changing the
printing preferences.

Quality: Print quality impacts the estimated

time it will take for an object to print.

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 Print Options

Raft: Rafts create stability and can be removed

after your object has been printed.

Support: It is used to create structural strength

and ensure that your model does not collapse
during the printing process.

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 Advanced Settings
Profiles: Add or select saved printing preferences
through the “Profiles” pull-down menu. Different
printing preferences can be created, saved and
applied to different models depending on the
project requirements.

3D Density: This function is used to adjust the

print density of the object(s).
Low (10%) - It requires shorter printing time, but
the structure is relatively weak. It is suitable for
decorative objects.

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 Advanced Settings

Medium (30%) – It gives higher strength to

the structure than low density. To print an
object for mechanical purpose, it is advised to
set the density to 30% or above.

High (50%) - For the object which should be

durable or will be used as functional
mechanical part, it is suggested to select
higher density.

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 Advanced Settings

3D Density
Solid (90%) – It gives a highly dense object and is more
durable. However it takes longer time and needs more
filament for printing.

Shells: Shells are the outer layer of the objects.

Thick shells: have better printing quality but take
longer for printing.
Normal: The outer structure consists of 2 layers.

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 Advanced Settings

Shells
Thin shells shorten the duration of printing but
may be vulnerable to breakage.

Layer Height: It is used to alter the thickness of

each layer created by the printer.

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 Advanced Settings

Speed: It is used to adjust the printing speed

based on the size and precision of the object.
A better object quality is accompanied with a
lower printing speed.
Once you have finished customising your
object to your preferences, it can be 3D
printed or saved for future use.

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