NextGen CAD - Intro to CAD & 3D Printing

A graphic illustrating the workflow from CAD software to a 3D printer

What You'll Learn: The Essentials

Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Understand the basics of creating 2D sketches and transforming them into 3D models using professional software.
Slicing Software: Learn how to use a "slicer" to convert your 3D model into a set of instructions a 3D printer can understand.
3D Printing Fundamentals: Get hands-on with a 3D printer and learn about key concepts like extrusion, temperature settings, and print bed adhesion.

Course Outline

Module 1: Getting Started with CAD

Introduction to the CAD interface
Basic 2D sketching tools (lines, circles, rectangles)
Turning sketches into 3D objects (extrude, revolve)

Module 2: Preparing for Print

Understanding and using slicing software
Importing models and adjusting settings
Generating support structures and infill

Module 3: Your First 3D Print

Calibrating and preparing the 3D printer
Loading filament and starting a print job
Monitoring the print and post-processing techniques

FreeCAD Tutorial: Create a Nameplate

Follow these steps to create a simple, printable nameplate using FreeCAD. This project will help you understand the core concepts of sketching and extrusion.

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Step 1: The Base Plate

Open FreeCAD and create a new document by clicking on the "New" icon.
Switch to the Part Design Workbench from the dropdown menu.
Click "Create new body" and then "Create new sketch". Choose the XY-Plane.
Use the "Rectangle" tool to draw a rectangle. Use the dimension tools to set its length and width (e.g., 100mm x 40mm).
Close the sketch. Click on the sketch in the Model Tree and then click the "Pad" tool. Enter a length (e.g., 5mm) and click "OK". You now have a 3D base.

Step 2: Add Your Name

Select the top face of the nameplate base.
Click "Create new sketch" again.
Use the "Create a string" tool to add your name or desired text to the sketch. Adjust the font and size as needed.
Close the sketch. Select the new sketch in the Model Tree and click the "Pad" tool.
Enter a small length (e.g., 3mm) for the text extrusion. Click "OK". Your name is now raised from the base.

Step 3: Export for 3D Printing

Select the entire "Body" in the Model Tree.
Go to File > Export... and save the file as a .STL file.
You can now open this .STL file in your favorite slicing software to prepare it for your 3D printer!

FreeCAD Tutorial: Add an Image to Your Model

Learn how to import an image into your FreeCAD model to use as a reference for sketching or as a visual guide.

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Step 1: Import the Image

Open FreeCAD and switch to the Image Workbench.
Click the "Create a plane" tool. Choose the XY-Plane and set the size of your plane (e.g., 200x200 mm).
With the plane selected, click the "Load an image plane" tool and select your image file. Your image will now be on the plane.

Step 2: Use the Image for Modeling

Switch to the Sketcher Workbench.
Select a plane that aligns with your image and create a new sketch.
Use the sketch tools (e.g., lines, arcs, splines) to trace the contours of the image. The image acts as an underlay for your sketch.
Once you've finished tracing, you can hide the image plane and extrude your sketch to create a 3D model.

FreeCAD Tutorial: Add Text to a Curved Surface

This advanced beginner tutorial shows you how to wrap text onto a curved surface. We'll use a combination of different workbenches to achieve this effect.

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Step 1: Create the Base and Text

Start with a solid object with a curved surface (e.g., a cylinder or a rounded plate).
Switch to the Draft Workbench.
Click on the "Shape String" tool, enter your text and choose a font file. Click on a point in the 3D view to place the text.

Step 2: Project Text onto the Surface

Select both the text object (ShapeString) and the curved face of your solid.
Switch to the Part Workbench.
Click the "Make a Face from Wire" tool to create a solid from the text. This will project the text onto the surface.

Step 3: Join the Text and Surface

You can now use a Boolean operation to either engrave or raise the text.
To engrave: Select the curved object, then hold CTRL and select the text shape. Go to the "Boolean" tools and choose "Cut".
To raise: Select the curved object, then hold CTRL and select the text shape. Go to the "Boolean" tools and choose "Fuse".
This will combine the two shapes, with the text now following the contour of the curved surface.

FreeCAD Tutorial: Create Gears for a Clock

Learn how to quickly generate and customize gears in FreeCAD. This tutorial will show you how to create interlocking gears for a simple mechanism.

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Step 1: Install and Use the Gear Workbench

If not already installed, go to Tools > Addon Manager and search for "Gears". Install the workbench.
Switch to the Gear Workbench from the dropdown menu.
Click on the "Involute Gear" tool. A gear will be created in your document.
In the Data tab of the Property View, you can change parameters like the number of teeth, module, and pressure angle to customize your gear.

Step 2: Create a Second Gear

Create a new "Involute Gear" object. Give it a different number of teeth than your first gear.
In the Part Design workbench, you can use the "Transform" tool to move the gears so that their teeth interlock correctly.
You'll need to calculate the correct distance between the centers of the two gears based on their number of teeth and module.

Step 3: Export for 3D Printing

Select both gear objects by holding CTRL and clicking on them in the Model Tree.
Go to File > Export... and save the file as a .STL file. This will export both parts as a single file.
Alternatively, you can export each gear separately to print them individually. You can then assemble them after printing!

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of CAD or 3D printing. Whether you are a student, an artist, or a hobbyist, this course will provide you with the foundational skills to start bringing your digital creations to life.