▼This page is part of the 2016 Principia course ENGR242: 3-D Printing Technology
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This course provides an overview of open-source hardware in theory and practice for an introduction to distributed additive manufacturing using open-source 3-D printing. The course will explore the initial design and further development of open-source instrumentation as it relates to the build of a RepRap form of 3D printer. Each student will build a customized 3D printer and will learn all hardware, firmware and software for operating it. The printer will then be used in the completion of a series of projects in the students' field of interest.

3D Printing Technology

(Spring 2023)

Instructor: User:MarieFarson

Why 3-D Printing? A recent report from data company Wanted Analytics found that in one month 35 percent of engineering job listings from a variety of fields, including biomedical, software, and transportation industries, required applicants familiar with 3-D printing. Forbes explains why 3D printing is such a big deal.

Why open source? You will make more money, because OS is more valuable. Recent analysis shows that jobs with the keywords "Microsoft Windows" have an average salary of $64,000, while jobs with the keyword "Linux" have an average salary of $99,000.

Learning Outcomes

  1. To demonstrate a depth and breadth of knowledge about open source hardware and software, especially as it relates to 3D printing technologies (CWLO 1 and Engineering DLO 7)
  2. To develop critical thinking skills through the trouble shooting process involved in hardware and software development (CWLO 2, Engineering DLO 1 and MNS GESL criteria 2.1)
  3. To demonstrate effective communication skills working on collaborative design projects and appropriate posting of open source projects (CWLO 3 and Engineering DLO 4&6)
  4. To broaden students’ awareness of the needs and challenges in east Africa in developing capabilities at the local level for locally produced social impact(CWLO 5 and MNS GESL criteria 1.4)

Credits: 4.0 SH GESL

Required Course Material

There is a $100 lab fee for this course. This fee will be used to purchase expendable materials for you to build your printer during the course. You must provide your own SD Card for storing your print files. You should plan on $25 or more additionally to purchase your choice of filament to use with your printer. You also have the option of buying a set of hardware components totaling about $795 at the bookstore to use for your build. If you use your own components, then at the end of the course you keep the printer you built in the course. The printer will be similar to the image above, but the design is constantly evolving.

Textbook: J.M. Pearce, The Open-Source Lab (Elsevier,2014). Other reading will be handouts in class, on-line reading, and emailed pdfs. See hyperlinks in schedule.

Link to online portion of textbook: Online portion of textbook

Course Organization

This course will be run as a lab course with lectures. Students will be expected to read the course material before class and actively participate in discussions. The majority of class time will be spent on labs and projects. Each student will be responsible for building a RepRap Jellybox 3-D printer to use to complete the projects. Students will be responsible for giving short presentations on their projects on each sub-topic in front of the class at the end of the semester.

Grading Policy

Grades will be based on the following:

Jellybox build 10
Appropedia Page/mini projects 10
Quizzes 5
Educational Aide Project 10
Scientific Instrument Project 20
OSAT Collaborative Project 20
Big Money Project 25
Total Percentage 100

Late Assignments

Deduct 10% per day, up to 5 working days, then 0 grade. Only exception is for excused absences. Missed projects will result in a zero for the assigned work. Quizzes on the readings cannot be made up, ever.

Course Policies

Appropriate behavior, attendance, participation and collaboration with your peers on group assignments is expected. All assignments are to be completed by the beginning of class on the due date, unless you make other arrangements with me at least 24 hours in advance. Collaboration/Plagiarism Rules Students are strongly encouraged to learn while helping fellow students learn. Collaboration is encouraged on the group project but individual projects and exams must be completed alone.

Academic Integrity

A Principian is expected to pursue a life of integrity (see the Principia Pledge and the Principia Community Commitment.) Therefore academic honesty is essential to a Principia College education. Academic regulations and procedures are governed by University policy (see Principia College Catalog 2020-2021). Any act of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade for the class.

Course Schedule

Please Note: Readings will be updated periodically before we get to the module.

Date Class Class description Assignment - due next class
1/23 1 Intro to class, projects and build assigned Syllabus, Schedule, M0.1
1/25 2 Intro to 3D Printing Technologies, Intro to Safety, Crimping and Soldering Buy kit on Marketplace, M0.2, Online Quizzes in Canvas
1/26&27 3 Get parts -Start Building Your 3D Printer! Watch videos
1/28 Blitz Build
1/30 4 Intro to RepRap software chain, printer build M0.3,M0.4, Online Quiz
2/1 5 Complete RepRap software chain, printer build M1.1, Online Quizzes
2/3 6 OSH definitions, development, business, printer build M1.2
2/6 7 OS licenses, printer build M1.3, Online Quizzes
2/8 8 OS legal discussion, printer build, order filament Problem Solver
2/10 9 Intro to Arduino Jellybox built, PLAY WITH IT IN CLASS, Problem Solver
2/13 10 In class build quiz, Intro to wiki- Appropedia, printer adjustments from calibration houses M2.1-3,5, Create and populate Appropedia user page, Appropedia, Example 242 User page
2/15 11 Everyone's Done! Calibration houses due Preliminary print
2/17 12 RepRap community, Printing tricks, prelim prints due M2.4-7, Print spare Jellybox part from GitHub
2/20 13 Mechanical properties of 3-D printed parts, Replacement JB part due M3.0
2/22 14 Blender Tutorial/in class micro project lamp shade M3.2, M3.0, Blender Snow Man
2/24 15 Blender Tutorial/in class micro project lamp shade print lamp shade
2/27 16 Free CAD Intro/ Lens cover exercise M3.1; M3.3; Propeller exercise
3/1 17 FreeCAD Tutorial/in class micro project M3.4;
3/3 18 OpenSCAD Tutorial/ in class micro project - Penny Trap, FreeCAD exercise due rock wall hold using this bolt
3/7 19 Customizing in Thingiverse & Parametric modeling, OpenSCAD Rock wall hold due Customizer project assigned, M3.5
3/8 20 Customizer - work on project Customizer project assigned, M3.6
3/10 21 Educational Aid - Intro to project - Netfabb Educational Aid project
3/15-19 SPRING BREAK
3/20 22 Educational Aid/Science - work on project - Meshlab M4.1, M4.3, Online Quiz; Tools in Africa Contest
3/22 23 242 OSH Science Project assigned, or ENGR242 Educational Aid Project assigned

OS hardware - Design Thinking by Sharing

 NIH 3DP, Open Source Lab Hardware, Work on Project proposals, Work in computer lab/hardware lab
3/22 23 442 students - choose project and list it on Jellybox mods or Automated Open Source Scientific Equipment NIH 3DP, Open Source Lab Hardware, Work on Project proposals, Work in computer lab/hardware lab
3/24 24 Education/Science Projects - Design Thinking - Part II Connections Work on Science Project CAD file, M3.7, M3.8
3/27 Education/Science Projects - finish CAD design files, due today Science Project Prototype due by next class
3/29 Prototype due, Test Prototype,Prototyping & Testing Revise, Troubleshoot
3/31 Education/Science Projects - Prototype evaluation, Prototyping & Testing Redesign CAD FILE DUE, STL file submittd, final print due by next class
4/3 25 EducationScience Projects STL FILE DUE

+ write up on Appropedia,

4/5 26 Education/Science Projects - Presentation of Projects

Open source appropriate technology Project Description, 242 OSAT projects

 M5.1, Online Quiz
4/7 27 Start work on OSAT Projects Class - Prelim CAD file due
4/10 28 Continue work on 242 OSAT projects M5.1, Online Quiz
4/12 29 OSAT project commitment due, Indep Research on OSAT projects M5.2, 242 OSAT projects, OSAT project - Prelim CAD file due Friday
4/14 30 Open source appropriate technology Project, OSAT CAD dwg due 242 OSAT projects, OSAT project - prototype due Monday
4/17 31 Open source appropriate technology - test and revise prototype 242 OSAT projects, Testing and Redesign of OSAT
4/19 32 Work on reprint of OSAT project 242 OSAT projects, OSAT project
4/21 33 OSAT project presentations Final write ups of OSAT project on Appropedia
4/24 34 Appropedia page for OSAT due, Big Money Project 242 Big Money Project
4/26 35 Inventive thinking/ Big Money Project category:242 TRIZ 3D printers, Online Quiz, M6.1-3
4/28 36 Inventive thinking/ Big Money Project Big Money Project - CAD file due,Why the world needs deep generalists, not specialists
5/1 37 Big Money Project Big Money Project - prototype due
5/3 38 Big Money Project - test and redesign Big Money Project - reprint
5/5 39 Big Money Project Big Money Project - Appropedia post write up DUE today, creative genius

442 Project Due: Jellybox mods or Automated Open Source Scientific Equipment

5/10 FINAL EXAM All Projects Show and Tell - Disassembly Party Go Forth, Create and Innovate

Readings and Media

OSL= Open-Source Lab textbook

Module 0: RepRap Build

  1. Watch RepRap video, The RepRap project- Ranellucci, What is 3D Printing
  2. Read through build guide: Jellybox Build Guide, More help available here Jellybox 3Dprinter help, Extruders 101
  3. Software - Tom's Youtube Channel](Down to earth, honest, succinct, and basically always right), G-code Very comprehensive G code reference plus an excellent reference for most things related to open hardware 3d printers), Slicers: RepRap Magazine 1(just the article on slicers, p15-27), Slic3r, Cura (you will want to download and install Cura on your laptop) ,Cura tutorial,RepRapPro Slicer, Matter Control
  4. Printer controllers - Marlin, Printer Controller Boards

Module 1: Introduction to OSH

  1. OSL Chap. 2 OSH Introduction, Cathedral and Bazaar, Microsoft OSH, OSH intro video, TEDxBoulder - Nathan Seidle (Sparfun)- How Open Hardware will Take Over the World, Lulzbot factory tour and discussion of OSH business by Jeff Moe, Do Makers Propose a More Open Source Future? - Idea Channel, PBS Digital Studios, 2015 the Year OSS went nuclear, Can Open-Sourcing Transform Electronics Hardware?, and for extra-interested folks (not mandatory reading):The Law of Accelerating Returns by Ray Kurzweil,
  2. OSL Chap. 3 OS License OS License, Creative Commons copyright licenses, OS software for GNU-Linux, The Future of 3D Printing: Smarter IP Strategies, Less Lawsuits, Jellybox license
  3. OSL Chap. 4 OS microcontrollers, Arduino Mega2560 Arduino Introduction , The RAMPS board, Jeremy Blum TED talk,Arduino from SparkFun, Nathan Seidle- SparkFun

Module 2: Community

  1. RepRap Forums, RepRap Groups
  2. Arduino Forum
  3. Free and open repositories of designs, http://www.yeggi.com/ http://www.stlfinder.com/, Jellybox g code
  4. Tricks: support, raft, parts, orientation, fill, slicer choice, How to avoid pathetic prints, pictorial guide to problems,pictorial guide to reprap print trouble shooting, how to fix warping, RichRap Slic3r is Nicer, living hinges,List of common printing problems
  5. Appropedia, 242 demo page
  6. Post Processing: post processing techniques
  7. Post Processing: smoothing and sanding

Module 3: Open source CAD

  1. OpenSCAD, OpenSCAD manual, OpenSCAD for 3D Printing Kindle Edition, MOST SCAD Libraries on Github, RapCAD, Parametric Modeling with OpenSCAD
  2. Blender, Using Blender to Model for 3-D printing, 2D to 3D in Blender, Creating 3D models for printing with Blender: Advanced tips, Adding Text to your Object with Blender, Best Blender Tutorials
  3. FreeCAD, Bram de Vries FreeCAD video tutorials, Using OpenSCAD tricks in FreeCAD
  4. Tricks - 3D print from McMaster-Carr, 3DHubs - how to optimize design for FFF,
  5. Hinges - living hinges
  6. Mashups - Converting 2D images to 3D with Inkscape, Images to OpenSCAD Via Inkscape, Celtic Knot SCAD, Bezier curves and knots script for Blender, Mashup Tutorial,MeshLab for repairing models
  7. MOST - MOST Delta mods - see also: Github MTU-MOST repositories, Open-source syringe pump, Open-source metal 3-D printer, MOST mods (incomplete but getting there), another approach to PCB design
  8. Photos - Open Source Photogrammetry, Open source 3D scanners

Module 4: OS Science

  1. OSL Chap. 1 examples 3D printable science equipment, 3D Printing of OSAT, Voices of Africa, Prinpo Technology
  2. OSL Chap. 5
  3. OSL Chap. 6
  4. OSL Chap. 7

Module 5: OSAT

  1. Appropriate Technology, 3-D Printing of Open Source Appropriate Technologies for Self-Directed Sustainable Development, Open source 3-D printing of OSAT, How 3D Printers Are Boosting Off-The-Grid, Underdeveloped Communities - MotherBoard, OSAT for Sustainable Development, Tech for Trade, Tech from Waste
  2. Recyclebot, Open Source Ecology TED talk

Module 6: Other Cool Stuff

  1. The Economist-- A third industrial revolution, Where we go from here - types of OS3DP Open-source metal 3-D printer
  2. Post processing https://www.3dhubs.com/knowledge-base/post-processing-fdm-printed-parts
  3. Printing with Ninja-flex, mech properties ninjaflex

Other good watching: First International Workshop on "Low-cost 3D Printing for Science, Education and Sustainable Development, 25. Hopes and Fears, 27. Open Hardware and Arduino, 31. Prehistoric Collections: Digitizing the Leaky collection and interesting perspectives on digital rights and proprietary museum collections, 33. Bringing a CAD model into a physical object: Ranelucci video, 54. The future of 3D printing: Another Ranelucci video.

Contests

Jobs

Learning Outcomes

CWLO 1

Demonstrate a depth and breadth of knowledge of RepRap printers and how they work

CWLO 2

Demonstrate critical and generative thinking in the purposeful design of items

CWLO 3

Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively

CWLO 4

Practice intentional learning through the persistent, continual process of acquiring and using a variety of strategies to improve student's ability to design using a variety of design software programs

CWLO 5

Be effective members of Open Source communities

CWLO 6

Act on the basis of Principle

GESL LO 1

Demonstrate scientific literacy, reading articles on materials properties from scientific literature

GESL LO 2

Demonstrate competence in at least one of the criteria below relating to the scientific method:

GESL LO 2a

observing, collecting and analyzing data from materials properties collected in the laboratory in order to arrive at a conclusion that better explains the properties or processes examined

GESL LO 2b

using experimental methods to investigate the relationship(s) between two or more variables related to materials properties of 3D printing filament when at least one of those variables can be intentionally controlled or manipulated.

Further Research

  1. Filament Extruder for Recycled PET bottles
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Created October 28, 2016 by Marie Farson
Last edit November 28, 2025 by Maintenance script
Cite as MarieFarson (2016–2025). "ENGR242". Appropedia. Retrieved October 3, 2026.
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