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 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Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.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

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  PPM Fire
  Prevention Plan.pdf

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  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.

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  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.

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  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

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 Quick fit nozzle Obsidian nozzle Bed w/ PEI coating	Prusa Upgrades - E3D
3D Printer (MEDUSA)	Prusa / MK3S		E3D Revo Hotend 2 fan upgrade Quick fit nozzle Brass nozzle Bed w/ PEI coating	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	Manufacturer/ Model	CPU	Memory/ Storage	System Software
laptop computer	PrusaSlicer Lychee Slicer Repetier‑Server	Dell			Microsoft Windows 10

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

• 

  colorful "Benchy"
  using Prusa MMU

• 

  "Benchy" 3D Printing
  benchmark test

• 

  Hairy Lion
  3D Printing test

• 

  Tesla bust
  8 inches tall

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  Stormtrooper
  Toilet paper holder

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  Open-source
  InMoov robot
  by Kelly C.

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  Open-source
  prosthetic/robotic hand
  by Tima Anankitpaiboon

• 

  Open-source
  prosthetic/robotic hands
  by Tima Anankitpaiboon

• 

  3D Printing record
  at the SUMMIT of
  PIKES PEAK

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:

  3D Printing — Resin (SLA)  

  3D Scanning  

  Computers — Windows  

  Raspberry Pi  

PrusaSlicer Tips

Autodesk Fusion Tips

Blender Tips

STL File Format Tips

QR Codes

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)

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 and 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.