Introduction: Getting Started With the Fortus450 3D Printer

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About: Autodesk Technology Center San Francisco is a hub for research, development, and demonstration of new manufacturing technologies and workflows relating to configurable microfactories.

Step 1: Approved Materials for the Fortus450

Allowed Materials

  • ABS
  • ASA
  • PLA
  • Nylon
  • ULTEM
  • Plastic

If you are working Pier 9, materials can only be approved and loaded by shop staff.

If you are working from another studio or workshop, refer to the tool's instruction manual to see if your desired material is suitable for tool use.

Step 2: Safety

Our most important safety callouts are highlighted in yellow throughout this course.

Step 3: Machine Specifications

The Fortus 450mc uses an additive manufacturing technology called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). FDM Printers work by heating and extruding a filament of plastic along a path to form a single layer. This process is repeated layer upon layer until the final model is created.

  • Parts with an overhang will require support material.
    • It will need to either be removed manually or dissolved in a chemical bath.
  • The printer uses a 3D mesh file type called an.STL.
    • This can be created in programs like Fusion 360.
  • To print on the Fortus, you must use Insight and Control Center.
    • These software packages are installed on all of the computers in the 3D Printshop.
  • Each printer is loaded with a single Model Material and a single Support Material
    • If your desired material is not loaded in any of the Fortus machines you can request a material change from Shop Staff.
  • Build Envelope : 14" X 16" X 14" (35.5 x 40.6 x 35.5 cm)
  • Layer Heights: 0.005" to 0.020" (0.125 to 0.5 mm)

Step 4: Steps for Successful Use

To make a part, you need to complete each step in order.

  1. Open the STL in Insight
  2. Configure the modeler (printer)
  3. Select infill and support styles
  4. Orient the model
  5. Slice the model
  6. Create supports
  7. Create toolpaths
  8. Identify problems
  9. Send to Control Center
  10. Send to the modeler
  11. Post process (clean) the model