Date:  May 1, 2017

Previous Post:  https://miniliew.org/2017/04/29/gadget-notes-minitoy-from-kickstarter/

Although there are this big hiccup initially when I received the MiniToy 3D Printer from Kickstarter.  But their support team without fail trying to help me to fix the problem.  Eventually, they sent me a replacement SD card circuit board.  Luckily, I am Electrical Engineer in training, so I am able to change it with some soldering.  The kids were happy too when the MiniToy 3D printer start to do its work.  Printing…

The MiniToy IOS app is just an app to print 3D models.  It is poorly written, but it does the job.  It comes with very limited 3d models.  And those that is supplied by MiniToy is really sucks!  But it provides a workflow for kids to learn 3D printing without having to learn how to do the complicated steps.

As long as it does the job, I don’t really care whether it is a pretty App or a very lousy poor written app.

MiniToy is created by Chinese.  I am guessing, all these engineers knows how to create exciting product, but they lack of marketing people who can write good English and provides all the documentations.

But as I said, let’s try to figure out a work flow that works!

Where to download free 3D models

Go to this website to take a look at 37 Best Websites to Download Free 3D models.

https://all3dp.com/download-free-3d-models/

 

Thingiverse.Com

This is where I like to download free 3D models.

http://www.thingiverse.com

Let’s search for a Pokemon 3D model!  Let’s find Pikachu!

I wanted to print this.  So, Download all Files.  (That blue download button there on the right)

A “low-Poly_Pikachu” directory will be downloaded.

STL File

So, you need to search for the STL file.

So, a STL file is a CAD file created for that 3D model.

You cannot print a 3D model on MiniToy using a STL file.  It needs a gcode file.

 

Cura

To generate a gcode file.  You will need to have a Splicing software to do so.

I am using Cura 2.5 on MacOS. (Please go and figure out how to do it on PC, I am sure it is not too different from MacOS, I don’t use PC, so, don’t ask me how to do it on PC).

https://ultimaker.com/en/products/cura-software

Download and Install the Cura 2.5 splicing software.  A splicing software prepare your 3D models for printing.

 

Gcode Files

In order to instruct your MiniToy 3D printer how to print the 3D model, how to move the printing head with extruder, etc.  You will need a GCode file.

Cura 2.5 will be the splicing software to read your STL file so that it can generate the GCode instruction to move your printer head in MiniToy so it can print out the 3D models.

 

Let’s Print that Pikachu

When you launch Cura, this is the settings you need to set for MiniToy.

The creator already provide some of these info here and there.  I have successfully printed with these settings.

Let’s “Open File” and load the Pikachu STL files.

Then, press the “Ready to Save to File” on the bottom right.    To save it into a GCode file.

Then, copy the Code file onto the SD Card for MiniToy 3D Printer.

Plug the SD Card into the MiniToy 3D Printer.

Turn on the MiniToy 3D Printer.

Connect WiFi.

Press the WSTK folder.  First top left folder.

Press Update to read the new 3D model from the SD card.

I still have not figure out how to import the photo, picture.  I tried but failed.

That is why no picture are loaded.

Click on Pikachu.  And then select print.

It will take about 2-3 hours to print.  So leave it over night.  make sure the extruder is printing correctly before you go sleep.

Next morning the Pikachu is done printed.

Yeah!  Pikachu.

Yeap, post printing is always the hard part that you need to clean up your printings.

Check out my Inception Top.  I also download the 3D model from Thingiverse.Com and then, load it into Cura and splice out the Gcode file.

Inception Top

Take long time to print.

Yeah!  It is done.

Let’s peel it off.

Use a pen knife

Let’s smoothen it.  Use mommy’s nail polishing tools.. hahahaha

Use bigger one.  The inception top feels good in the hand and it can spin very nicely.

Very nice!