3D Pen

3D Pen, aka Brutus the Pink est. June 2018

Ingredients for a successful 3D Pen Project:

• 3D pen
• 3D pen power supply/3D pen stand
• PLA (poly lactic acid) filament
• Sketch or idea for cool project

Recipe for success:

• Plug in power cord to top of pen.
• Then press the extrude down button to start the pen to warming for PLA.
• When the bottom light changes from blinking to green, the pen is ready to use.
• Then insert filament.
• The pen will melt the filament and be ready to extrude shortly.

Recommendations for beginner 3D artists:

• Start with a 2D sketch. Either free handing or by tracing a sketch.
• Press the extrude button and slowly move the pen across the surface to lay down a line of filament. Hold the pen close to the paper so the melted filament is applied to the surface before cooled.
• At junctions, the end of a line, and turns, pause for a micro-moment to allow the filament to cool before continuing.
• To connect two lines, hold the pen over the junction for long enough for the heat to fuse the two lines together.
• Continue adding lines till your sketch is complete.
• When finished, pull your sketch off of the paper. Use scissors to trim any unsightly edges.

3D Sketches:

• Plan your 3D sketch in 2D steps.
• Complete the 2D sketch using the instructions above.
• Hold each 2D sketches up and connect them together.
• Add more filament as needed to strengthen your joints.

3D Freehanding:

• Set up a desk fan to blow on your workspace/area.
• Start with a drop of filament to make an anchor point.
• Move the pen in the perfect timing.
• Good luck with getting the timing right for movement.
• Expect to spend a lot of time practicing and having a lot of "test" runs.
• Never give up. Never surrender.

Side notes:

• It does go to sleep. Just press the extrude button to wake it up.
• It heats up to 196 degrees.

If you want these instructions in video form, check out: http://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Printing-Pen-Tutorial/