About
The Digital Fabrication lab, better known as DFAB, contains various types of equipment used in rapid prototyping and engineering design. This room houses our 3D printers, Sewing Machine, Sticker machine, Vinyl press, and mini-CNCs (Othermills). It's split into two main sections.
The first section hosts our Sewing Machine, Sticker machine, vinyl press, and Othermills. To use this equipment, contact texasinventionworks@gmail.com to be trained on the Sewing Machine, Sticker Machine plus Vinyl Press, or Othermills. Trainings for the Sewing machine, Sticker Machine plus Vinyl Press and Othermills are in person only and not guaranteed to be available due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The second section contains our advanced 3D printers, including SLA printers and Markforged Nylon printers. These machines can be used for student projects or research but are operated by only our staff. Please visit HQ or email texasinventionworks@gmail.com to inquire about starting a specialty print.
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Additive ManufacturingSubtractive Manufacturing |
CraftBot + and CraftBot XL
About
Texas Inventionworks is home to 27 White CraftBot XL 3D printers and 16 Blue CraftBot+ 3D printers. CraftBots are Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers that utilize PLA and PETG filament for rapid prototyping purposes. CraftBot print quality is low compared to other staff operated printers, so for the most accurate and high-quality products, it is best to print final products on the staff operated printers.
CraftBots print 3D objects created in Computer Aided Design (CAD) software that have been sliced in a slicing software. We recommend Fusion 360 CAM software as it is FREE to download for students, easy to use, and a plethora of online video tutorials exist. CraftBots use the CraftWare slicing software to convert 3D files to .gcode files.
Access
Visit the Trainings page to complete the virtual training. Make sure you go through all the steps on the slideshow including passing the quiz and submitting a properly formatted gcode. You will be informed via email once the virtual portion of your training has been approved. To complete the 3d printing training, come to HQ in person after your virtual training has been approved. The in person training only takes 10 minutes, you will learn how to use the 3D printers and then be granted access to an online submission form. For 2020-2021, students do not start their own 3d prints. After completing training, you may submit your 3d print file virtually. You will receive an email when the print starts and later when the print finishes. If there is any errors in your print file, you will be notified via email and asked to resubmit your file.
Cost
These machines are free to use for Engineering Students, including for Research, Class, and Student Organizations.
Resources
Make sure to consult the 3D printing Training so you understand how to properly format a 3D print file.
It is recommended to download our staff developed CraftBot for PLA and PETG.
A link to a failed print Troubleshooting Guide.
A link to the Fusion 360 Download. Make an account with your @utexas.edu email.
We highly recommend viewing the Fusion 360 Video Tutorials to learn and develop your CAD skills.
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