Checklist for Successful File Submission
Files MUST:
- be exported to .STL format, one model per file
- We will not print any STLs that contain more than one model
- be less than 10"x10"x12", scaled in inches
- pass the Shapeways tests for "plastic, white strong and flexible" (3D Tools)
- You must provide a screenshot of the test results (contains checkmarks and render of your model) for each file
- We will not print any files without an associated screenshot
- have no naked edges
- We will not print any files containing naked edges
- have a minimum feature thickness of 1/16".
- We will not print any files containing feature thickness under 1/16"
- 1/16" is the minimum for simple and rectilinear geometries, but more complex geometries should be thicker to avoid printing issues
- Notes
Our Service Desk staff will use the following submission process after accepting plastic 3D print jobs:
- Student will be notified of the estimated cost and print time
- Base cost for printing and washing is divided by number of people--not by surface area, volume, or numbers of objects
- Models will generally take one day (overnight) to print and one day (overnight) to wash
- These general time estimates will not hold during times of large print volume when there is a backlog
- Models can typically be picked up in the morning 2 days after they are submitted.
- When printing jobs that do not require the wash process, the average time is 1 day
- These general time estimates will not hold during times of large print volume when there is a backlog
Preparing to Submit
- Export the .STL file in your 3D modeling software of choice
- Run your model through the naked edges test (instructions below) in Rhino and make sure there are no naked edges:
- Select your entire model and then go to the "Analyze" menu on the toolbar, then click on "EdgeTools", then "Show Edges"
- Select "Naked Edges" and confirm that nothing gets highlighted.
- If there are highlighted lines please fix these before coming to the desk, as we will not print any files containing naked edges
If using 3DS Max utilize the "STL Check" Modifier to check for model watertightness. Watertightness is a property of a mesh that has no holes or naked edges, and thus would not theoretically admit any water or fluid.
Create a free account at Shapeways and click the "Upload" button to test your .STL file
After uploading, go to "My Models"
Click on the "..." and then "Open in 3D Tools"
Model must receive all green checks mark for "White Natural Versatile Plastic"
When you see an image of your model appear in the window at the top of the Shapeways page, it may still take a few minutes to display results for all quality checks
The photo below shows an example of the quality check results on Shapeways–this model didn't pass all of the required tests
Submission
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- From here we will do our own Rhino naked edges test. There will be a charge of $5 to perform the naked edges test. If your model passes the test we will apply the $5 towards your print. If your model fails the test or has any warnings, the charge will apply to What I Owe and we will not print your 3D print. You will have to go back and re-adjust your .STL file and we will run the tests again before printing with the same charges.
- Please note that our software only allows us to confirm that your model is a closed polygon, meaning we can only see the outside faces of the object. If there is an issue with the internal structure, we may not be able to notify you at the time of submission. Please review the checklist above for more information.
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Info |
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You must purchase a Digital Fabrication Subscription for the semester in order to 3D Print. Failure to follow the submission steps below will result in you needing to make changes and resubmit. We don't allow any custom slicing settings. |
Warning |
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Our internal process can take up to 48 hours before you receive the first confirmation of your 3D Print request. Please factor this initial lead time into your expectations when submitting a 3D Print request. We have other responsibilities at the Tech Desk unrelated to 3D Printing, so we don’t have the bandwidth to prioritize your request if you come the basement upon submission. |
Raise3D Process
Review the 3D Printing Policies page before beginning the next step
Export your STL from Rhino
Repair your STL in Netfabb
Export repaired STL
Import your repaired STL into ideaMaker
Upload your prepared ideaMaker file and Netfabb screenshot(s) in a zipped folder named YYYY-MM-DD_EID_Group-#_[copies] to be tested and priced
Upload link (you must log into Box before uploading)
Folder name examples:
2023-01-09_eid123_Group-1_[3]
You're submitting a single group (.idea file) and need three copies
2023-01-09_eid123_Group-2_[1]
You're submitting two groups (.idea files) and need a single copy
E-mail the following details of your 3D print request to the SOA Tech Desk (soatechdesk@utexas.edu)
The number of .idea files you have uploaded
DO NOT send us multiple e-mails if you're submitting more than one group (.idea file), just include the information in one e-mail
The number of parts in each .idea file
Make sure each independent model is an individual .STL
The number of copies you need of each .idea file
The Tech Desk will respond to your e-mail with a print time and cost estimate for each .idea
You must respond to us with either approval or cancellation
Please note that our internal process takes time, and we will respond to you only once we have completed it
With your approval, we will add your print to the queue
The estimated time only calculates print time, not time in the queue
We will notify you when your files are sent to a printer
You will pay for your model via What I Owe*
You will receive an email notifying you when your parts are ready for pickup
If you do not pick up your print, you will still be charged the full amount to your What I Owe
Stratasys Process
Review the 3D Printing Policies page before beginning the next step
Export your STL from Rhino
Repair your STL in Netfabb
Export repaired STL
Upload your prepared STL file and Netfabb screenshot(s) in a zipped folder named YYYY-MM-DD_EID_Model-#_[copies] to be tested and priced
Upload link (you must log into Box before uploading)
Folder name examples:
2023-01-09_eid123_Model-1_[3]
You need three copies
2023-01-09_eid123_Model-2_[1]
You need a single copy
E-mail the following details of your 3D print request to the SOA Tech Desk (soatechdesk@utexas.edu)
The number of .STL files you have uploaded
DO NOT send us multiple e-mails if you're submitting more than one model, just include the information in one e-mail
The number of copies you need of each .idea file
The Tech Desk will respond to your e-mail with a print time and cost estimate for each model
You must respond to us with either approval or cancellation
Please note that our internal process takes time, and we will respond to you only once we have completed it
With your approval, we will add your print to the queue
The estimated time only calculates print time, not time in the queue
We will notify you when your files are sent to a printer
You will pay for your model via What I Owe
...
*
You will receive an email notifying you when your parts are ready for pickup
If you do not pick up your print, you
...
will still
...
be charged
...
the full
...
amount to your What I Owe
*Faculty must include an account number to charge when submitting 3D Prints.
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