Learning to materialize ideas - with 3D
*The article and images are original from the author and not by Curiosity3D
My 3d Printing Experience – Learning to materialize ideas
Hi I am Nikhil Kumar a Bachelor of Design student at Delhi Technological University.
My deep dive to 3d printing started with a workshop conducted by Curiosity 3d in my college. I have always been fascinated by 3d printing. I used to watch videos YouTube about different 3d printing and the possibilities it unlocks. For me 3d printing was like some magic that can materialize ideas going on inside your head. The workshop opened this gateway to a world that I had always wanted to be a part of. It was accessible exclusive and interesting so I took the opportunity.
The program offered in-depth knowledge of 3d modelling and 3d printing.
The best part of the program was the 3d printer that was to be delivered to my house for 14 days. Though I was most excited to get the printer I had to start with the basics i.e. 3d modelling.
I am an Industrial Design student so I had previous knowledge of 3d modelling and how the software worked. But still going through the course I was able to learn a lot of nuances about the software and the 3d modelling process.
Getting over with 3d modelling we can now start with 3d printing. The journey to 3d printing started with me heading over to the office and being taught about the 3d printer in a face to face session. We started with a theory lecture on 3d printing its origin, types, working properties etc. Basically I got to learn everything theoretically available about 3d printing specifically FDM. Then I got to interact with the printer, know about it and get a feel of how to operate it.
I was very anxious first time touching the 3d printer. I remember thinking twice – thrice before turning a dial on the printer. But I got a great mentor in Raunaq sir so guidance was not a problem. The best part I got to interact and get familiar with the printer that was supposed to be delivered to my house.
The printer was delivered to my house and setting it up was an exciting experience. I was never to big on working setups but just to accommodate the printer I made a setup and worked in that setup for the rest of the program. I was guided about how to set up the machine and what not to do with it. And then I got to 3d printing and that’s all she wrote.
It was not a smooth process I had a lot of hiccups. The first few days my prints were not sticking to the print bed, discussing the problem with my mentor I found out that the problem was the sudden drop in temperature in Delhi so I had to heat my print bed to a higher temperature. I also broke my filament and it got stuck in the Bowden tube.
I remember that being the only moment in the entire course where I thought “This is not going well”.
But my mentor my savior helped me out of that situation I got to detach the Bowden tube and pull the filament out the tools were provided with the 3d printer.
It was a thrilling experience. I don’t mean to brag but I have taken apart a 3d printer or atleast a part of it. I went from thinking twice – thrice before touching the machine to waking up 3:00 am in the morning half asleep and putting on new prints in the printer.
All said and done Curiosity 3D provided me an amazing opportunity to take a peek in the world that seemed so alien to me. And I am thankful that I got this opportunity.
