3D Printing
The 3D Printing Area at Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) consists mostly of Level 2 equipment.
Additional PPM training is required to use any of our Level 2 equipment.
Additional PPM training and then PPM certification is required to use any of our Level 3 equipment.
Our trainers are passionate about sharing their knowledge and ensuring a positive learning experience for all.
We are grateful for their commitment and dedication to our community.
No reservations are required for any of our 3D Printers at this time, they are "first-come, first-served".
3D Printing Area hand tools should be marked with orange tape or paint.
Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.
Safety First
Members must know the following information:
- In case of emergency, call 911.
- Our physical location is:
- 735 East Pikes Peak Avenue
- Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- use this when ordering pizza or an ambulance
IN CASE OF
EMERGENCY
sign
PPM Fire Escape Plan
- Fire Escape Plan maps are posted throughout the Makerspace.
- There are 7 fire extinguishers on the fire escape plan map. Review the PPM Fire Escape Plan for locations.
PPM Emergency
Evacuation Plan.pdf
PPM Fire
Prevention Plan.pdf
PPM Fire Escape
Plan
First Aid
- There is a FIRST AID Supply Cabinet in our Kitchen Area.
- FIRST AID Kits are available in four areas: the Kitchen, Metal Shop, Wood Shop and CNC Room.
FIRST AID
Supply Cabinet
FIRST AID
Kit
Eye Wash Stations
- Emergency Eye & Face Wash Stations are mounted in four areas: the Kitchen, Wood Shop, CNC Room and Vented Room.
Emergency
Eye & Face Wash
Station
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Wear protective equipment in all Wood and Metal Shop Areas.
- Wear gloves when using Isopropyl Alcohol and other cleaners.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Hazardous Chemicals
- All hazardous chemicals must be stored in the yellow hazardous chemical storage cabinet located in the Vented Room.
- Review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information of unknown products before use.
- SDS information is available via the QR code on the hazardous chemical storage cabinet or this spreadsheet.
- Do not bring dangerous chemicals to the makerspace.
- Spray paint, stains, and other approved items must be stored in the hazardous chemical storage cabinet in the Vented Room.
- Please DO NOT paint indoors.
Flammables Cabinet
in the Vented Room
Impairment
- The use of PPM equipment requires you to be alert, attentive, and focused.
- Do not use any PPM work area, or any PPM tools, if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Classes
- PPM announces its Upcoming events, including classes, on Meetup
- To help out in the 3D Printing Area at PMM, use our #3d-printing channel on Slack.
Training
- FDM vs SLA 3D Printing — according to the "new Bing"
- "FDM and SLA are two different types of 3D printing technologies that use different materials and methods to create parts. FDM stands for fused deposition modeling, and SLA stands for stereolithography. Here are some of the main differences between them:
- FDM uses a heated nozzle to extrude melted plastic filament one layer at a time on a build platform. SLA uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin one layer at a time in a resin tank.
- FDM can print with a variety of thermoplastic materials, such as ABS, PLA, PETG, and nylon. SLA can print with different types of resin materials, such as standard, engineering, and dental resins.
- FDM has more color options and similar strength in the X and Y directions than SLA. SLA has better surface finish, detail, and speed than FDM.
- FDM is cheaper, more user-friendly, and more reliable than SLA. SLA is more expensive, requires more post-processing, and is more sensitive to environmental factors than FDM.
- FDM is suitable for basic proof-of-concept models, quick and low-cost prototyping, and simple parts that might be machined. SLA is ideal for high-detail parts, molds, patterns, and functional parts that require tight tolerances and smooth surfaces."
- Intro To 3D Printing — new class information from Josh Rafail
- PRUSA KNOWLEDGE BASE
- Prusa Material Table
- Prusa 3D by Josef Prusa — YouTube channel
- Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide — SIMPLYFY3D
- 44 Common 3D Print Problems — on 3dsourced.com
- RepRap Glossary — common terms and abbreviations
The following pages contain historical information. The pages are provided for reference only.
Equipment Lists
3D Printers
| Item | Manufacturer/ Model |
Build Volume |
Upgrades | Resources |
| 3D Printer #1
|
Prusa /
MK3S |
250x210x200 mm | (stock) | |
| 3D Printer #2
|
Prusa /
MK3S |
250x210x200 mm | (stock) | |
| 3D Printer #3
|
Prusa /
MK3S |
E3D Revo Hotend 2 Fan Upgrade |
Prusa Upgrades - E3D | |
| 3D Printer (MEDUSA)
|
Prusa /
MK3S |
E3D Revo Hotend 2 fan upgrade |
Prusa Upgrades - E3D | |
3D Printing Equipment — Level 1
| Picture | Item | Manufacturer/ Model |
Resources |
 |
3Doodler create | 3Doodler
STAR TREK |
Getting Started |
 |
lab oven / dryer
with timer (12"x12"x12" interior) |
Curtin Matheson | |
 |
IMPULSE HEAT SEALER
12" w cutter |
Midwest Pacific,
MP-12C |
|
 |
filament dryer box | PPM | |
 |
Fume Extractor | PACE
8888-0825 | |
IMPULSE SEALER label
3D Printing — Computers
| Item | Application Software |
System Software |
Manufacturer/ Model |
CPU | Memory/ Storage |
| laptop computer | PrusaSlicer | Microsoft Windows 10 | Dell | ||
Hand Tools
INFRARED THERMOMETER
- 3D Printing Area hand tools should be marked with orange tape or paint.
- Return all tools to their proper location after use. This rule applies to all areas of our Makerspace.
Benefits
- PPM members enjoy discounts at the following local merchants:
- (bring proof of membership)
| Company | Website | Benefit | Directions to |
 |
Woodcraft of Colorado Springs | 10% discount | 4438 Austin Bluffs Parkway |
 |
CO Lumber Specialties | 10% discount | 3636 Stone Avenue |
 |
GENERAL AIR | 10% discount | 3031 N Nevada Ave. |
 |
ACE Hardware Uintah Gardens | 10% discount | 1830 W Uintah Street |
- Map of stores that provide PPM member discounts
- Map of helpful local resources curated by our makers
- At home LightBurn subscriptions can be purchased at a discounted rate for being a PPM member.
- The discount code is saved as a Pinned Message in our 'laser-cutter' channel in Slack.
Policies
PPE
- Donate for PPE
- Or, leave donations in a black payment box, or use a QR code.
Red Tags
- If equipment needs repairs, place a Red Tag on it and report it via the Pikes Peak Makerspace Slack channel #red-tags-issues
- This advises others on the malfunctioning equipment and ensures that actions can be taken to service/repair the equipment.
Modeling Software
- Autodesk Fusion — integrated, cloud-based CAD and CAM software
- Blender — for creating 3D printed models (and much more)
Slicing Software
- PrusaSlicer — prepare ("slice") 3D models for 3D printing
Member Showcase
camera slider
by Trevor Banks
camera slider closeup
by Trevor Banks
colorful "Benchy"
using Prusa MMU
"Benchy" 3D Printing
benchmark test
Hairy Lion
3D Printing test
Tesla bust
8 inches tall
Stormtrooper
Toilet paper holder
Open-source
InMoov robot
by Kelly C.
Open-source
prosthetic/robotic hand (exiii)
by Tima Anankitpaiboon
Open-source
prosthetic/robotic hands
by Tima Anankitpaiboon
3D Printing record attempt
at the SUMMIT of PIKES PEAK
14,110 FT.
- For even more member projects, visit our #showcase channel on Slack, or follow our social media links.
Related Pages
Links to related PPM Wiki pages:
Hand-Curated Links
Links to member-recommended external sites:
- Multiboard — "3D Printed Storage System"
- Gridfinity — The modular, open-source grid storage system for your workshop
- STLFinder — search engine for free 3d models
- 3DBenchy — 3D torture test (benchmark)
- Hackberry — 3D-printable open source bionic arm
Links to member-recommended YouTube videos:
- "Things we've built", including 3D-printed robotic hand (2015)
- Jay Leno on 3D scanning and 3D printing from 3D Systems — (8 years ago)
For Additional Help
- Use our PPM Slack channel #3d-printing for FDM or SLA printing questions.
- List of all PPM Slack channels
- Note that we have a Slack channel (#job-board) for members to post, discuss, or accept job opportunities either within PPM or from the community.
Search the PPM Wiki — include Content pages as well as Multimedia.
Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.
Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) is dedicated to supporting our maker community in their creative processes by providing shared space, shared tools, materials, software, and a knowledge base to turn their ideas into reality.