robotics 3d printer files download free Cura unable to open any STL file. Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy! Sign in. Already have an account? Sign in here. Our picks. Ultimaker turns 10: A look back. SandervG posted a topic in Official news, May 26. Picked By. Ultimaker Transformation Summit. SandervG posted a topic in Official news, April 7. Picked By. New here? Register your Ultimaker for free 3D printer onboarding course. SandervG posted a topic in Official news, February 9. Often getting started is the most difficult part of any process. A good start sets you up for success and saves you time and energy that could be spent elsewhere. That is why we have a onboarding course ready for Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, Ultimaker S5, Ultimaker S3 Ultimaker 2+ Connect. They're ready for you on the Ultimaker Academy platform. All you need to do to gain access is to register your product to gain free access. Ready? Register your product here in just 60 seconds. Free 3D Printable files to download. Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy! Sign in. Already have an account? Sign in here. Our picks. Ultimaker turns 10: A look back. SandervG posted a topic in Official news, May 26. Picked By. Ultimaker Transformation Summit. SandervG posted a topic in Official news, April 7. Picked By. New here? Register your Ultimaker for free 3D printer onboarding course. SandervG posted a topic in Official news, February 9. Often getting started is the most difficult part of any process. A good start sets you up for success and saves you time and energy that could be spent elsewhere. That is why we have a onboarding course ready for Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, Ultimaker S5, Ultimaker S3 Ultimaker 2+ Connect. They're ready for you on the Ultimaker Academy platform. All you need to do to gain access is to register your product to gain free access. Ready? Register your product here in just 60 seconds. With 3D printers, robotics development is now possible from home. To start today we must know that a 3D printer has the ability to make replicas of 3D designs, it is a printer that can create volumetric pieces or models from a design made by a computer. This project arises with the idea of ​converting 2D files into real 3D prototypes, it must be said that it has been used in the prefabrication of parts, in sectors such as architecture and industrial design. However, it can be noted that nowadays the use of the manufacture of all kinds of objects is spreading, such as: models for casting, very complicated pieces, medical prostheses and food. This is because the 3D printer allows each part of the factory to be adapted to the characteristics of the patient or client as they fulfill the requirements that this design requires, thus being satisfied. It should be noted that there are different types of commercial models such as: laser sintering this deposits fine layers of powder of different metals (steel, aluminum and titanium). Also, the stereo-lithographic in this resin the photosensitive is cured with aces of ultraviolet light, producing its solidification and finally there is the compaction this is where a mass of powder that is compacted with strata everything depends on the model used for the Dust compaction needs which can be classified into: Ink 3D Printer or Laser 3D Printer. The 3D Ink Printer can use a binder ink to compact the powder, the use of an ink allows the printing of different colors as required or needed. On the other hand we find the laser printer, this refers to a laser that transfers energy causing it to become poly chrome, then it is immersed in a liquid that makes the detailed shapes solidify. For this reason, once you print all the layers, you only have to remove the pieces. With the help of your vacuum cleaner, remove the excess dust which can be used in future installations. To be able to use a 3D printer at home, it is necessary to know its operation well, and it is necessary to install software that meets the requirements we need, it should be noted that there are some software that could be very helpful, among them, I will name one since to be able to carry out the Design of parts to be printed in 3D requires CAD (computer-aided design) software. However, like this CAD software and many more of these programs, which are relatively very simple to use, because the interfaces are very pleasant and will facilitate the user to work more comfortably, in addition to having special tools to determine that our design meets with the expected features with this software or not. As for whether we can develop robotics with the 3D printer, we can cite an example from the Harvard team which has successfully developed a 3D jumping robot with plastic of different hardness. The robot, inspired by the locomotion mechanisms of the larvae of certain invertebrates, burns British and oxygen to propel itself through jumps. Research regarding the development of robotics using a 3D printer, in terms of the possibilities of 3D printing to solve problems that until now held back the development of robots with plastic composition. Thanks to the new printers capable of combining different materials, robotics experts take a step further in terms of the evolution of automata and a great advance in technology, robots arrive soft-bodied. This is how I identify it in an article in Science which in its study I research on soft and microfluidic robotics at Harvard is inspired by certain invertebrates and their pneumatic way of their movements to develop a machine capable of moving by means of jumps which is an improvement considerable over the original rigid design. New trends and techniques will be able to develop access to new robots even from home. The device, powered by butane gas, is capable of surviving more than 100 jumps, compared to the scarce five that its rigid predecessor supported. In addition, it is cheaper, lighter, silent and, therefore, more functional. The robot consists of a hard plastic core that protects the key components – such as the battery, the compressor or the processor – surrounded by another soft body that, in turn, is formed by a semicircular air spring, which resembles a float. Finally, the robot incorporates three pieces of silicone that act as legs. The achievement has consisted in combining both parts, the rigid and the soft, taking advantage of the characteristics of each material. The machine works as follows: first, the compressor sends air to the supports that surround the spring, the legs, and they inflate and the robot leans in the direction to which it is going to jump. Afterwards, the compressor fills the spring with butane and oxygen, a spark is generated, and the combustion propels it almost a meter and a half away. It is a simple and efficient way to get around, but also to test the resistance and effectiveness of these new materials. Robots have traditionally been built and thought of as metal skeletons, rigid, heavy and therefore expensive and difficult to build, so scientists and researchers have been looking for an alternative for some time. Inspired by nature, the solution has been to go for the soft, but until now it was complex and difficult to combine different materials of different strengths, soft and hard components. 3D printing has been driving the development of this field of robotics for years: it allows the construction of parts that, until now, required specific molds, and that had to be assembled separately. The latest printers can combine different plastics in a much more organic way. The next step in the evolution of robots is open. This construction technique will democratize access to products and even make it possible to manufacture robots at home. It will also be possible to diversify the designs: better and cheaper machines will be created, capable of withstanding more and of going further, of floating or entering through small crevices. Convert an STL to G-code for 3D Printing. An important part of the 3D printing process is to convert an STL into G-code so that your 3D printer can print it out. In this article, I’ll walk you through the process of slicing and printing 3D models. No matter which 3D printer you own, this high-level process will give you a set of steps you can take to go from an STL file to a 3D printed part. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll know how to take an STL and convert it to G-code, then use the G-code file to run a 3D print. Let’s get started. Table of Contents. Step 1. Install a Slicing Program. To print out a 3D CAD Model, you have to convert an STL to G-code for 3D printing. This is essentially a conversion between the 3D model of the part to a set of layered positions that your 3D printer will use to make the part. A lot of people in the 3D printing space have their preferred Slicing Software, so here are a few popular (and free) options to choose from: For this tutorial, I’m going to focus on showing you how to slice files using Cura. This was the first slicing tool I learned, and it’s been my go-to for many 3D printing hours. Once you learn the basic methodology of preparing an STL for 3D printing, then you can download a few other ones to see which one you like the best. I will mention; however, that depending on your 3D printer, there might be a particular slicer you have to use. For FlashForge Printers, it’s easiest to use FlashPrint. For MakerBot printers, you’ll probably be coaxed into using the MakerBot Print utility. Does it matter which 3D Slicer Program I choose? It doesn’t matter which Slicer you use. Some slicers have more features and are easier to use than others. But they ultimately do the same thing: translate a 3D model (i.e. STL) into a format that a 3D printer can understand (i.e. G-code). Slicing & Cloud Connectivity Options. OctoPrint and AstroPrint have cloud and wireless 3D printing options in addition to slicing. If you’re looking for an all-in-one option, both of these programs are worth checking out. In my experience, AstroPrint is a little easier to set up than OctoPrint. However, if you’re looking for a flexible option, then OctoPrint is better for dev-work and customizations. After you figure out which slicer you want to use, download and install it on your computer. Step 2. Add your 3D Printer within the Slicer. Before you can 3D print using a slicer, you’ll have to set up your 3D printer settings. Here’s how to do it: Go to the Printer Preferences in the Top Left Corner and click “Add Printer” Add your printer. For network printers, you can add a printer by its IP Address or by scanning your network. For local printers, you can search the list of printers and add them by brand. Step 3. Draw or download a 3D Model to Print. If you’re looking to print out a 3D model you drew, then you’re all set. Just make sure you export the model as an STL and save it locally on your computer. Some CAD modeling programs, like Fusion 360, allow you to export directly into a slicer. Cura is a native option for this feature; however, I think you can also select a different slicer as long as it’s installed on your computer. Either way, you can skip the next section and move to Step 3 if you’re using models you drew yourself. Where to Find 3D Models Online. Otherwise, you can find community-contributed files to 3D print. There are many websites online to find 3D models to print. Thingiverse is a popular 3D printing website where users can upload their designs for the community to use. I’m a fan of the STL Finder search engine. STL Finder is like the “Google” of finding 3D models and files. This online tool aggregates files from various sources (including Thingiverse) and makes it easy to find different variations of the same part. Find a file you’d like to print, and download the STL to your computer. (Make sure to remember where it’s saved.) Then move on to the next step. Step 4. Open the STL File and Prepare the Printer Settings. Next, go into the Slicer and open, import, or load the STL file. Position the Part on the 3D Printer Bed. You can click on the part and adjust the position on the printer bed using the tools on the left. I typically like to have the part centered on the bed. But sometimes, you may need to adjust the part. Your slicer might import the part at a weird angle. It’s important to rotate the part so that it sits flat on the bed. You can also adjust the size of the part using the scale tool. Select the Printing Material. Once you have something you like, then you can set the printing material. Go to the Material Menu and choose the material you want to print with. Adjust Print Settings. For most parts, a Draft Profile or Layer Height of (.02mm) works fine. The most common settings to modify are Layer Height, Infill %, and Perimeter Shells. If it’s a part you’ve designed, I’d use the following settings as a starting point: Layer Height (mm) = 0.02 mm Infill % = 20% Leave the remaining settings default. If you’re printing a file you found online, oftentimes, the author will tell you the print settings in the description. Apply these settings in the slicer. How to decide if the 3D model needs “Supports” You only need to add supports to your print if some contours or edges hang over the print bed. A support is a break-away piece that prevents the nozzle from printing in the air (which prevents a hairy glob of filament from forming during your print). Supports provide a surface to print on that can be removed in post-processing. Here’s an example of a part that needs supports. Here’s an example of a part that doesn’t need supports. A lot of times, if you need supports, and downloaded the file online, the author will tell you to use supports in the description. If it isn’t mentioned, you probably don’t need them. Again, this is a setting that will take some practice to understand. After you spend enough time 3D printing, you’ll be able to look at a part and be able to list off the appropriate settings. Do you need bed adhesion? There are options to add bed adhesion options such as brims, rafts, and skirts in the slicer. You can also apply manual bed adhesion, such as Build Tak, glass, glue, hairspray, and tape. For 3D printer kits (Anet A8, et al), I recommend a combination of software bed adhesion and manual bed adhesion. If you’re using a more professional 3D printer, you probably won’t need to add anything but a skirt. This is a setting you’ll have to adjust over time. I recommend trying different options and seeing what yields the best result for your printer. Step 5. Slice the Part and Get the G-code for Printing. This is the best part! Once you have all the settings configured, click the Slice button. Cura will generate a preview based on the settings you gave it. You’ll get an estimated print time and weight based on material selection. Optionally, you can have Cura calculate the material cost for the part. We cover this setting in the next section. If you’re new to 3D printing, I recommend looking at the preview and playing the print in simulation before printing it. That way you can see how the nozzle will move before sending the print over. There might be some settings you want to adjust. This is a great way to catch anything you missed before it prints. Once you’re happy with the preview, click the “Save to File” button. Then you can save the file to an SD card, USB flash drive, or the cloud location for your 3D printer. Finally, open the file on your 3D printer and start the print. And that’s the process for getting an STL file running on your 3D printer! How to Get Cost Estimates for 3D Parts. Additionally, you may want to know how much your parts cost for manufacturing estimates or cost-saving calculations. Here’s how you can add that to Cura. Open the Preferences menu and choose “Materials.” Next, choose the material and enter the Filament Cost and weight of the spool. This is the price you paid for the spool of filament. For PLA a typical price is $20-$25 per 1000g. Then hit close. When you slice your model, you’ll get an approximate cost to print that part. It’s a really handy tool, especially if you’re trying to gauge how cost- effective it is to make a part. Top 10 Thingiverse Alternatives for 3D Printing. No matter if you’re new to 3D printing or have printed hundreds of components, Thingiverse, has become a popular website for finding free, open-sourced, 3D printing files. However, relying on just one source for information can be risky, and Thingiverse may not have the exact model you’re looking for. That’s why in this article, we’ve put together a bunch of Thingiverse Alternatives to inspire your next 3D printing sprint. While it is helpful to know how to create 3D models using CAD, not everyone has the time nor the skill to sit down and draft. Plus, a lot of the fun in having a 3D printer is 3D printing. Imagine that! In this article, we’re going to explore the top alternatives to Thingiverse that you can use when you’re looking for your next file or project to print. Table of Contents. What is Thingiverse? It wouldn’t be a list of Thingiverse Alternatives without mentioning Thingiverse first. Thingiverse (pronounced Thing-e-verse) is owned by Makerbot and has thousands of open-source, and community-submitted projects. The majority of the projects based around 3D printing, but you can also find an assortment of woodworking and craft projects. “In the spirit of maintaining an open platform, all designs are encouraged to be licensed under a Creative Commons license, meaning that anyone can use or alter any design.” Why should you reinvent the wheel? With sites like Thingiverse, you don’t have to. The goal of Thingiverse is to encourage makers to create 3D models, submit their projects, and allow others in the community to remix and alter the designs. This is helpful because it creates a network of 3D printing enthusiasts and a repository of files that can be reused for the same or similar projects. 1. Pinshape: Thingiverse’s Cousin. If Thingiverse doesn’t have what you’re looking for, or you’re looking for an alternative site to use, check out Pinshape. Like Thingiverse, Pinshape is owned by another 3D printer manufacturer, Formlabs. There are over 70,000 Makers and Designers who have shared their designs on Pinshape. You can use Pinshape to download free and premium 3D printer designs, sell your designs, and learn about 3D printing. It’s a growing community that offers contests, forums, an ambassador program, and a blog. If you’re looking for a 3D printing community to join, you’ll want to check out Pinshape. 2. GrabCAD: Thingiverse for Professionals. On the other hand, if you’re looking for complex CAD models, components, and free designs, check out GrabCAD. Out of all of the sites on this list, GrabCAD is more of a “hardcore” CAD modeling site. If you have a complex design or you’re looking for a very specific part, then GrabCAD probably has it (or something very similar). Typically the designers on GrabCAD are more experienced and the models are better quality. “[GrabCAD is] the largest online community of professional designers, engineers, manufacturers, and students.” GrabCAD boasts over 6.8 Million users with backgrounds in professional design, engineering, manufacturing, and education. If you’re looking for a site that will provide free models, quality CAD tutorials, and professional design challenges (sponsored by NASA, GE, Stratasys, and the like), then you’ll want to join the GrabCAD community. 4. YouMagine: The “Thingiverse” for Ultimaker Printers. Next on the list of Thingiverse Alternatives is YouMagine. This community is Ultimaker’s attempt to step into the 3D printing community space. YouMagine is a community of mostly Ultimaker customers and projects printed on an Ultimaker printer. There are over 16,000 designs, making it a lot smaller than some of the other sites out there. However, if you have an Ultimaker printer, it makes sense to join a community-driven around the Ultimaker brand. “YouMagine wants CAD & 3D files to be as easy to create, adapt, share and change…” As most of these online communities, the goal is to create a platform where it’s easy to collaborate, remix, adapt, and share 3D printing and CAD files. YouMagine is very intuitive to use. First, create an account, then upload your designs. Add multiple designs to collections. Right now, YouMagine doesn’t have 3D printing or CAD tutorials, but you can easily find these on the Ultimaker website. (Or at any of the other Thingiverse Alternative websites.) 5. MyMiniFactory: 100% Independently Operated. A lot of the online 3D printing communities are owned by 3D printer manufacturers. MyMiniFactory is 100% Independent, which means it’s run by people who aren’t trying to sell you their 3D printer. MyMiniFactory started in 2013. They handpicked 3D designs, personally tested each 3D print and sold models out of their office space. It’s since evolved into a growing online consortium for designers and makers to buy and sell 3D models. Nowadays, MyMiniFactory has plans to improve printability and provide incentives for businesses to increase sales. Their goal is to create a decentralized ecosystem for 3D printing. “Enable a decentralized ecosystem for 3D creatives that promotes freedom through our shared values.” Some of their shared values are Sustainability, Purposefulness, Inclusiveness, and Freedom. You can read more about MyMiniFactory’s values here. As someone who’s looking to make some extra income from 3D printing, MyMiniFactory, is an interesting community to check out. You can offer your designs for free, for a fee, or with a contribution button. If you’re just looking to download files, it’s a great way to find quality 3D printer files, while supporting the designers and creatives behind the files. 6. Cults3D: A Giant 3D Printing Community. Cults3D was founded by three motivated French guys (Hugo, Pierre, and Sunny) and is the first independent 3D files marketplace. That means you can find both free and premium 3D printing files for download. And, you can interact with others using Cults’ social networking features. Cults has over 85,000 3D printing designs and 8,000 designers who specialize in 3D printing. It’s a huge network of over 800,000 3D printing fanatics. So, if you’re looking for a network that has a lot of history, members, and designs, then you’ll want to check out Cults. You don’t need to be a 3D CAD modeling wizard, either. Everyone on Cults has a mix of skills, from makers to professional designers. 7. Treatstock: Offer & Get Manufacturing Services, Too. Treatstock is a multifaceted website that provides tools for 3D printing and CNC machining. If you don’t own a 3D printer or mill, and you need to get a model printed, you can upload your file and have it professionally manufactured. Another interesting feature of Treatstock is the ability to offer services, yourself. You can become a manufacturer and offer services through Treatstock. If you have a 3D printer and you want to fulfill other people’s 3D printing requests, you can set up a shop, and start selling manufacturing services. Treatsock also offers a collection of 3D printing files for download, too. Check out Treatstock, here. How to find STL Files with Search Engines. We’ve all been there. Opened up any number of 3D printing websites with the hopes of finding a very specific design or an STL file. After hours of searching these sites, there are a ton of files, but nothing is remotely close to what you’re looking for. And then you’re stuck. Fortunately, there are many STL search engines that you can use to find designs directly. No need to join a community, or wait for Thingiverse to load. Give these STL search engines a try, next time you’re looking for a CAD model. Lastly, you can try going directly to the part’s manufacturer to see if they list the CAD model. McMaster-Carr is notorious for having CAD files in just about every file format, for just about every part. What are you going to 3D print today? In this article, we explored a bunch of options for finding 3D printer and STL files online. With a wealth of options out there, you should be able to find inspiration for your next 3D printer project. What do you plan on printing? Leave a comment below. And, if I missed your favorite resource for open-sourced 3D printer files, be sure to let me know there as well!