3D Printing
Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) is dedicated to supporting our maker community in their creative process by providing shared space, shared tools, software, materials and a knowledge base to turn their ideas into reality.
The 3D Printing Area at PPM consists mostly of Level 2 equipment.
Additional training is required to use our Level 2 equipment.
3D Printing Area hand tools should be marked with orange tape or paint.
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 and Training
New Member Orientation
Instructor — Josh Rafail
Area Contact — Mathew Palfenier
- To help out in the 3D Printing Area contact us on Slack.
Classes
- Pikes Peak Makerspace announces its Upcoming events, including classes, on Meetup
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 info from Josh Rafail
Events
3D Printing Area
(2021-11-24)
3D Printing at the
PIKES PEAK SUMMIT
For Additional Help
- Use the PPM Slack channel #3d-printing
- 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.
Equipment Lists
3D Printers
| Picture | Item | Manufacturer/ Model |
Print Volume |
Upgrades | Training Materials |
 |
3D Printer
(MEDUSA)  |
PRUSA RESEARCH
Prusa MK3 |
9.8 x 8.3 in,
8 in tall |
Multi
Material Unit (5 filaments) |
|
 |
3D Printer
#1 |
PRUSA RESEARCH
Prusa MK2.5S |
9.8 x 8.3 in,
8 in tall |
||
| 3D Printer
#2 |
PRUSA RESEARCH | ||||
| 3D Printer
#3 |
PRUSA RESEARCH | ||||
| 3D Printer |
Monoprice
Mini E3D Edition |
4.7x4.7x4.7" | SD card only.
PLA ONLY. |
||
Model |
Volume |
Materials |
3D Printing Equipment — Other
| Picture | Item | Manufacturer |
 |
lab oven / dryer
with timer (12x12x12 interior)  |
Curtin Matheson |
 |
IMPULSE HEAT SEALER
12" w cutter |
Midwest Pacific,
MP-12C |
 |
filament dryer box | PPM |
 |
3Doodler create | 3Doodler
STAR TREK |
 |
Fume Extractor | PACE
8888-0825 |
IMPULSE SEALER
label
3D Printing — Computers
| Picture | Item | Application Software |
Manufacturer/ Model |
CPU | Memory/ Storage |
System Software |
| laptop computer | PrusaSlicer |
Dell | Windows 10 | |||
Software |
Model |
Storage |
Software |
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.
Donations Received
Wish List
- Pikes Peak Makerspace is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so we can provide a receipt for any donations you make.
Benefits and Policies
- 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.
Equipment Reservations
PPE
- Donate for PPE
- Or, leave donations in a black payment box, or use a QR code.
Materials
| Picture | Material | Size/ Color |
Website | Sale Price |
 |
Copolyester
Factory Sealed) |
2.85mm
White |
chromastrandslab.com | $20 |
 |
PETG
Factory Sealed) |
1.75mm
Clear |
ic3dprinters.com | $20 |
 |
PETG
Factory Sealed) |
1.75mm
Clear |
villageplastics.com/ | $20 |
Color |
- Donate for "3D Print Filament" via PayPal: bit.ly/ppmstuff
- Filament Cost $0.029 per Gram
- 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.
Scrap and Trash
- Trash day is MONDAY
- Recycling day is MONDAY (96 gallon tote)
- Single Stream Recycling provided by Waste Connections. Paper, cardboard, cans, glass, and one time use plastics.
- Empty recycling and trash into our dumpster at the back (south side) of the building.
- Always leave the space better than you found it.
Related Software
Modeling sw
- Autodesk Fusion 360 — integrated, cloud-based CAD and CAM software
- Blender — for creating 3D printed models (and much more)
Slicing sw
- PrusaSlicer — prepare ("slice") 3D models for 3D printing
Member Showcase
"Benchy"
3D Printing
benchmark test
3D printed
camera slider
by Trevor Banks
camera slider closeup 
3D Printed Lion 
Tesla bust
8 inch tall
Toilet paper holder 
Open-source
InMoov robot
by Kelly C.
Open-source
prosthetic/robotic hand
Tima Anankitpaiboon
Open-source
prosthetic/robotic hands
Tima Anankitpaiboon
- For even more member projects, visit our #showcase channel on Slack, or follow our social media links.
See Also
Links to related PPM Wiki pages:
Curated Links
Links to member-recommended external sites:
- PRUSA KNOWLEDGE BASE
- Prusa 3D by Josef Prusa — YouTube channel
- Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide — SIMPLYFY3D
Other Fun Stuff
Links to (frivolous?) external sites:
- FilamentColors.xyz — filament color matching database
- https://www.3dbenchy.com/ — 3D torture test
- https://www.etsy.com/market/lithophanes
- https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=lithophanes
- https://www.klipper3d.org/ — 3d-Printer firmware
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.