3D print stencil


How To Create And 3D Print A Custom Stencil

This is a quick tutorial for how to create a custom 3D printed stencil using MatterControl.

Posted on December 18, 2015

by

Dave Gaylord

Working on a project that might require a customized stencil? Not a problem! With the power of MatterControl, users can imagine, design, and print exactly what they need. Here is how...

MatterHackers 3D Printed Stencil 


Creating custom stencils with your 3D printer is now as simple as creating a 2D picture in paint (or another design program if you want to get fancy). Simply create your stencil design (like the one below) then upload that file to the image converter. From there you can adjust the scale and size of your stencil as well as the thickness. Alternatively, you can use the built in search function within the Image Converter to search for images online which you can then instantly use as a stencil or 3D printed object.

What you’ll need:
  • First and foremost - an idea for a stencil

  • Hardware: any 3D Printer

  • Software: MatterControl (Free from www.MatterControl.com)

 

Create your stencil image:

There are a few options at your disposal.

  • Draw your design on paper using black marker, take a picture

  • Create a design in Paint or another illustration program

  • Download any silhouette image or logo from online


Create Your Image


Using MatterControl ‘Image Converter’ to create stencil:
  • Open MatterControl (download here if you do not already have it installed).
  • At the bottom of the QUEUE tab click the ‘Create’ button. This will bring up a few of the MatterControl Design Tools.

  • To make your stencil select ‘Image Converter’.

  • Select ‘Add Image’ and find your stencil design image file.

  • By default the image converter renders the positive image. On the right panel you will see an ‘Invert’ line, check that box to create the stencil.

  • Scale the size and height of the stencil. You do not need a very tall part for stencil, but it is recommended to have at minimum of 4 layers (Roughly 1.2 mm).

Click On Image Converter


Default Positive Image


Inverted Image


Print it!

The stencil will appear in the Queue. Select the file and settings. A coarse layer height and 25% infil should be fine. Printing with PLA should be just fine.

Now that your stencil is complete, grab your favorite color of spray paint and start claiming things as your own!

 




Things to watch out for:

This Image Won't Make A Stencil With The "Islands" In the Ears Of The Dog


Image Converter is now free in MatterControl 2.0!

With the new version of MatterControl, Image Converter is available for free for all users! Download MatterControl and check it out!

 

Happy Printing!

 

Stencil best 3D printer models・Cults

SpaceX Logo Stencil

Free

Dotted Journal Stencil Set x 12 (Over 300 designs)

€3.62

Alfred E Neuman stencil

Free

cutter for polymer clay decorative stencil baroque

€1. 39

Texturizer, Stencil of Roses. Relief.

€3

Texture - Stencil. Interlace Guard. Relief

€1.20

Mermaid scale template

€1

Pennywise IT the Clown as Stencil and 2d Wall Art

€0.68

Stencil Cafe Torre Reloj

€0.68

Corona Coffee Stencil

€0.68

Estencil Cafe Autobus

€0.68

Easter Stencil Set "Easter Eggs #1"(6 stencils)

€6 -60% €2.40

EASTER STENCIL "EASTER EGGS #6".

€1

EASTER STENCIL "EASTER EGGS #5".

€1

EASTER STENCIL "EASTER EGGS #4".

€1

EASTER STENCIL "EASTER EGGS #3".

€1

EASTER STENCIL "EASTER EGGS #2".

€1

EASTER STENCIL "EASTER EGGS #1".

€1

Swans Reflection Stencil

€2.45

Crown Stencil

€2.45

Ballerina Dancing Stencil

€2.45

Chinese Dragon Stencil

€2.45

BARBIE STENCIL COOKIE CUTTER COOKIE CUTTER

€1.86

thermo bar guide

Free

SNOOP DOGG STENCIL

€1.50

Lunar Fairy Stencil

€2. 45

IRON MAN STENCIL

€1

Zebra Stripes Stencil

€2.45

Beast Master Airbrush Stencil Deep Rock Galactic

Free

Wall Panel 12 Cases : Spider Man

€0.99

Sun Stencil

€2.45

Wall Panel 15 Cases : Iron Man

€1.99

Wall Panel 15 Cases : Vegeta

€1.99

Wall Panel 15 Cases : Goku

€1.99

Adventure time : Jake stencil holder

€0.50

Numbering Easy and Accurate-3D Stencil 0-9

€0.80

Reusable 3D Print Butterfly Stencil for Wall Painting

€0. 50

EASTER EASTER STENCIL COOKIE CUTTER COOKIE CUTTER COOKIE CUTTER

€1.86

Floral Pattern Design Stencil

€2.45

Sabretooth tribal art stencil

€2.45

Stencil Sailor moon

€1.11

Bee Logo Stencil

€2.45

Geometric Parrot Wall Decoration

€0.50

Child with flowers Stencil

€2.45

stencil camouflage airbrush

€0.50

stencil honeycomb aerograph

€0.50

airbrush hatch stencil

€0.50

Mandala Dot Painting Stencil

€2. 45

3D Pen 3D PEN 2 (yellow)

Description

Benefits

  • Possibility to use two types of plastic ABS and PLA 1.75 mm thick.
  • LCD display.
  • Temperature control accurate to the degree.
  • Adjust the plastic feed speed to draw lines of different thicknesses.
  • Safe and ergonomic body, handle weight only 65 g.
  • Entering sleep mode.

How the 3D pen works

The 3D pen is filled with plastic in the form of a thread and fed into a special chamber called an extruder. Here, the plastic is heated to a melting temperature, after which the plastic heated to a plastic state is pushed out through a narrow nozzle and quickly solidifies.

By adjusting the speed of plastic feed into the extruder using the slider on the pen body, you can change the thickness of the line when drawing and create three-dimensional objects of the most bizarre shapes.

In order to paint in a different color, simply remove the used plastic and replace it with the desired one. As you continue painting, the new plastic will easily "stick" to the old one.

Drawing usually occurs on a hard surface over a pre-prepared drawing or stencil in one plane. Then the parts are fastened into one whole and a three-dimensional figure is obtained. However, experienced users, with sufficient skill, can draw immediately in three-dimensional space.

How to refill the 3D pen?

The 3D pen uses a plastic filament with a diameter of 1.75 mm as the “ink”, which is automatically fed into the extruder using a built-in motor. To replace the plastic, an eject button is provided.

If you run out of plastic, you can simply insert a new thread and continue working. Additional plastic can be purchased in our store in individual colors and a set of different colors.

Two types of plastic

The melting point of different types of plastic is different. Moreover, the melting point of plastic of the same type but different colors is also different.

The 3D Pen 2 can work with the two most popular types of plastic: ABS and PLA. To change modes, it is enough to select the desired type of plastic when turning on the handle, and that's it - the handle itself will heat up to the desired temperature.

For ease of use and temperature adjustment, the 3D pen is equipped with a display.

If, during use, the plastic feels hard to come out, you can increase the temperature by one or two degrees, or vice versa, if the plastic comes out too liquid, the temperature should be slightly reduced.

PLA

Starch-based PLA is the safest plastic. It practically does not smell when heated and is best suited for creative tasks. In addition, PLA plastic has a lower melting point: about 170 degrees.

At the outlet of the nozzle, the plastic is already cooling down, and its temperature is much lower: about 55 degrees, so you can not be afraid of getting seriously burned, however, it is very important to take precautions and not leave young users alone!

PLA ​​parts are bright, saturated and glossy. At the same time, this type of plastic is more prone to destruction - it is better not to wet it and not wash it using household chemicals.

ABS

ABS is probably the most popular plastic in the 3D printing industry. Most of the objects around us are made of such plastic, for example, parts of the Lego constructor.

Compared to PLA, ABS plastic is stronger and more durable: it is more resistant to aggressive environments, it can be washed, and it can withstand severe stress. Due to its properties, ABS plastic has gained immense popularity in the DIY (do it yourself - do it yourself) environment and is widely used for household purposes.

ABS plastic is made from petroleum products and smells quite strong when heated, so it should only be used in well-ventilated areas or outdoors. Also, ABS plastic has a higher melting point: about 230 degrees.

Applications

Art and creativity

The 3D pen has a huge potential for realizing the most daring creative ideas:

  • artists can draw three-dimensional paintings;
  • fashion designers can produce their own collections of glasses, accessories and even shoes;
  • designers can create photo frames, jewelry boxes and other interior items;
  • Engineers can turn their mechanical ideas into solid prototypes.

When buying a set of plastic along with a pen, we give a set of stencils for creativity, on which novice users can draw flat details, and then fasten them with a pen into a three-dimensional figure.

Use the 3D pen to create your own personalized and unique souvenirs, badges, bracelets, coasters and phone cases.

Learning and play

Using the pen develops users' fine motor skills, spatial thinking, imagination, and mental focus, as well as increases concentration.

Modeling

When creating layouts and dioramas, the 3D pen helps you create small objects and details.

It is also well suited for minor repairs and upgrades of quadcopters and RC models.

Fans of games, movies, cartoons, books or comics can create figurines of their favorite characters, scale models or even real masks of their characters.

Household use and DIY

The use of a 3D pen in the household is very difficult to overestimate, because it is no more difficult to use than a regular glue gun.

Using a 3D pen, you can create new items and repair broken ones, not only from plastic, but also from wood, plywood or chipboard: small household appliances, toys and even furniture.

3D printer add-on

Sometimes parts printed on a 3D printer may have cracks between layers, and small parts may not be printed at all. To eliminate such defects, you can use a 3D pen - it will allow you to fill the cracks with plastic and build up the missing details.

In addition, using a 3D pen, you can combine individual fragments of a printed part into a single whole, if it is impossible to print it all at once, for example, due to a limited print area.

What's included

  • 3D Pen 2;
  • heat-resistant plastic stand;
  • 12V power adapter;
  • instruction in Russian;
  • PLA starter kit in three colors.

12 fantastic templates for 3D pens

3D pens may not be as skilled as their more powerful counterparts in 3D printing, but that doesn't mean they can't be mastered and create truly amazing products .

Using templates and stencils for a 3D pen, it is possible to make many unique models and projects. A regular 3D pen inherently calls for freedom of action, so you can immediately start improvising in creativity.

We've rounded up 15 of our favorite 3D pen templates here, ranging from holiday frenzy to life hacks, from toys to ambitious projects.

#1: Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton

Stencil will allow you to resurrect the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex. Of course, it is not as scary as the sharp teeth and claws of a dinosaur, and this one is much smaller in size.

#2: Cowboy

It requires thread in several shades, but with the help of a template and clear instructions, each step of the work becomes clear. And if you already spend time creating fun toys, then why stop at just one? Make a whole gang of cowboys and put them in your house, or better yet, put them on the back window of your car.

#3: Rhino Beetle

This is a 3" rhinoceros beetle stencil. Don't worry, he doesn't bite. It's just an inanimate piece of plastic and that would be stupid. But just imagine that a 3D pen could be used to create something intricate enough to come close to one of nature's wonders.

#4: Submarine

This is a simple idea for decorating a fish tank. Create a submarine using the template and the plastic item will float on the surface of the water. Although, of course, if you want the boat to hide under water, then put something inside for extra weight.

No. 5: Coffee mug

This is a simple but effective way to update a cup or mug with a nice inscription. The method is to attach the product to a solid object. The melted filaments double and can be used as a functional adhesive. In the circles of 3D pen enthusiasts, this method is known as mix media (mixed media).

#6: Easter Bunny

Isn't this the cutest Easter bunny you've ever seen? Agree, he's amazing! A product created from this pattern is worth taking out of dusty cabinets at least once a year.

#7: Aircraft

Feel like a pilot with this model aircraft and explore the uncharted terrain of your studio, office or any other space. The model allows you to turn the screw. It's not fast enough to pick it up off the ground, you need your hands to do it, so the screw is just a nice extra detail.

#8: Hero Figurine

One of our favorite patterns on this list is a plastic figurine that looks like it came straight out of an eighties morning cartoon. His equipment and weapons complement the image of the hero of old science fiction films. Scary eyes and a long tongue indicate that he belongs to the team of villains, no doubt.

#9: Golden Gate Bridge

This is a template for the world famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. It is said that painting the famous bridge is a huge job for a whole team of painters. But you won't have the same challenge for this smaller version.

#10: T-shirt

Here's another mixed media project and it looks amazing.


Learn more