Want a 3D digital experience without the need for pesky glasses? Why not just interact with your digital creation in Real Life™ – the way that nature intended height, width, and depth to be exeperienced!
That’s right people! Though we have been talking to folks for a while now about how a 3D printer would be arriving any day now, the time has arrived! The future is now, and it smells like translucent plastic filament. Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Exchange team: Deckard, the MakerBot Replicator (5th Gen).
Let’s tell you a bit of a long-winded story (that in no way help you through your day, but may be entertaining to a certain segment of our readers) about our unpacking of Deckard, and process of printing our first test item (an iPhone case).
Our first bit of excitement was in the arrival of the MakerBot box to our humble facility. Here, you see Jon setting Deckard free from his confines.
Our brawny, and fearless leader Justin undertook the hernia-inducing task of removing Deckard from his box, to his new home. 
Because we like photo-editing, of course we had to take a shot of the innards of the machine with some filters and color effects.
We had heard that 3D printers were notoriously finicky and prone to problems, so we spent considerable amounts of time verifying that we were properly following the set up instructions, as well as researching common problems in set up on the web. Here, most of the team helps in the effort to put blue tape on the build platform.
Once properly set up, the build plate was inserted into the printer and ready for the leveling process.
Again, who doesn’t love some tilt-shift photo effects. blurry, right?
After installing MakerBot software on our computers, customizing the design of an iPhone 5 case, and sending the design to the Replicator, we were ready to print – notice the 1:30:50 time frame for a measly phone case. Speaking of – though there are no fumes that we could detect, this thing definitely sounds more like a 1990’s dot matrix printer than it does a whisper on the wind. I wouldn’t call it loud exactly, but it’s certainly not quiet.
Deckard starts working on his first test project.
Deckard in action, from above the Replicator.
Jon and Monique look on in anticipation.
Once complete, the first item is taken on a triumphant parade to Justin’s office.
Justin approves, lavishing praise on the newly designed and created item.
So, seriously though, it’s really hard to remove these items (we’ve heard using hairspray on the build surface is the best bet). Monique was the first, but not the last person to attempt to remove the case from the build plate.
Chad takes a call, safe knowing that the phone in his hand will not break….
except that, well, we kind of broke the case while removing it from the build plate (rookie mistake).
Are you interested in printing out a 3D item for one of your classes? Do you want to share a story about how printing your design could help your instructional aims? Shoot us an email and let’s work together on making sure that we can assist you in your 3D printing goals.
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