Week 5: GCode As Design Space (3D Slicer)

I created a customized slicer in Grasshopper by modifying the provided sample code, specifically tailored for a lampshade design from a previous project. After generating the toolpath for the lampshade geometry, I exported the G-code and successfully printed the lampshade on my Ender 3D printer, bringing my previous project to completion.

• Computer with Rhino software
• Grasshopper plugin for Rhino
• 3D Printer (Ender 3 or similar)
• Filament
• SD card or USB cable
• Additional tools (optional)

For this design I used a lampshade from Week 3's project (https://www.instructables.com/Week-3-3D-Parametric-Surfaces/). I imported the grasshopper workflow from this project into the example slicer provided. In the image, the workflow in green represents my imported lampshade workflow.

After confirming the design, I exported the GCode that contains all the necessary data for an Ender 3D printer to print my lampshade. I was able to export the gcode by either copying all data from the gcode generation or simply saving my gcode to a file through additional workflow steps included in the example slicer file (both methods are pictured). After creating a .gcode file the next step was to upload it to a chip that can be placed in the Ender to read and print.

All that was left to do was print my design. I ran into a few issues and will describe my trouble shooting steps below:

1. My gcode had not specified for the print bed to warm up or cool down therefore I was not able to start my print. I made the proper modifications in the .gcode to resolve this issue.
2. The first print was far too small. It only took 4 seconds to print and printed on the very edge of the print bed. To resolve this I went back into grasshopper and specified the size of the lampshade as well as where on the bed the lampshade would be positioned.

After making these edits in grasshopper I was successfully able to print a mini version of my lampshade from Week 3!