EagleStrike Design Bible

How to 3D Print

3D printing for the first time? No issue! This tutorial will teach you how to print on our Series 1 Pro Adafruit printers (robotics only). Have any questions? Ping @kat on Slack!

1.) Make sure that your print does not have any stark overhangs. Our 3D printers use additive 3D printing, which means they layer filament on top of other layers of filament. Any drastic overhangs will cause the print to mess up. Check with someone if you don't know!

2.) Save your Solidworks part file as an .stl.

3.) Import your .stl into Cura. You should not have to change the print settings too much. However, make sure to check the bed temperature. You should generally set the bed temperature to off unless the print is not sticking. Another setting that you might have to change is the infill type. Parts that require more rigidity should be printed with a higher infill on the 3D infill setting. Otherwise, infill patterns speed up the printing process and should be used.

4.) Save your print settings and export them into .gcode. This is the “instructions” that the printer will follow.

5.) Go to the local server for your chosen 3D printer. Type “series1-(number)” into the search bar of your computer and the link will show up.

6.) Select import gcode and choose the file you just created.

7.) Check the 3D printer for parts already on the bed and then hit print!

How to Laser Cut

1.) Save the view that you would like cut using your Solidworks part and saving it as a .DXF file.

2.) Move to the computer next to the laser cutter. Open a new 24 x 12 in file on Adobe Illustrator and place your .DXF file on the sheet.

3.) Set the line thickness of your part to .001 in. Set the color of your lines to red for cut, black for raster, and blue to engrave.

4.) Print from Adobe Illustrator. Open the UTP application and select appropriate cut settings.

5.) Make sure to orient your part so that it cuts in the most space efficient way.

6.) Cut the part, watching the laser to make sure it doesn't set anything on fire.

How to Choose a Hole Diameter for Your Fasteners and the Likes

Bearing holes should always be 1.125“ in diameter

Otherwise, for bolts and rivets, refer to this spreadsheet: External Link