Pre-event Resources: BSB Rapid Innovation Challenge

In concert with Barowski School of Business and the TechShop San Francisco, You3Dit and EO Products will host PROBLEM SOLVED! 3D – a first of it’s kind 3D print-a-thon to challenge business-minded students and public to solve challenges for a thriving local business: EO Products.

Over the course of 3 fast-paced days, the participants will learn how to:

1. Use the Rapid Innovation Cycle to identify business opportunities in the context of consumer goods: Specifically Essential Oils.  The Rapid Innovation Cycle is a four-step process where teams:  1) recognize an opportunity (i.e. a problem), 2) define a solution which solves the identified problem (within the team’s constraints) and then design and construct a market test that when put before the “unforgiving marketplace”, can yield real customer data
2. Use Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools to fabricate their market tests on a 3D printer
3. Use a 3D Printer (Printrbot Simple Metal) in order to bring to life their physical prototypes that they’ll use as market tests

Just learning how to use all those tools in three days is tough enough…the participants will have to put these new tools to use in solving real-world business challenges within Essential Oils and they’ll then be evaluated by a panel of business executive alumni and faculty from Barowski School of Business.

Because this is a tough mental, physical and emotional challenge, we have prepared some prep work so that you can stay focused on learning and solving the challenge at hand.  If you’re reading this and you’re not registered for this one-of-a-kind event, then maybe we’re just helping you get your 3D printer software and hardware up and running.  So kudos to you!

To access the PDFs presented during the weekend, you download them here.

Access to the Judging Rubric is here

Install the required 3D Printing Software:

1. Cura – a free, slicing program that takes the user’s STL file and converts it into the GCODE the 3D printer needs to generate the designed parts.
   1. Download for Mac / PC / Linux
   2. Upon installation, it will ask you to “install a 3D printer profile”, you want to install the Printrbot Simple Metal profile.
   3. If you need a video walkthrough, here’s an installation video for Cura which installs a different 3D printer profile…but its the same process (Install Cura for Type-A Machines)
2. Repetier – a free, 3D Printer Control program which effectively drives the 3D printer along the path generated by Cura.  It’s needed to prep the 3D printer for printing, change & load filament and to produce your 3D printable design files.
   1. Visit the Repetier Software Download Page
   2. Choose your operating system
   3. Once you do that, the page will ask you to “donate”.  You don’t need to pay anything, just scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the small link that says “download now”
   4. Once you get the software installed, you still have a little more work to do:
   5. You need to create a “profile” for the Printrbot within Repetier as well.  It allows the controller software to understand the proper dimensions of the machine
   6. Here are the critical “Printer Settings” parameters for Repetier:
      1. Connection Tab:
         1. Connection / Port
            1. Mac: usbmodem#####
            2. PC: PORT #
         2. Baud Rate: 230400
         3. Dimension:
            1. X Max: 150 mm
            2. Y Max: 150 mm
            3. Print Area Width: 150 mm
            4. Print Area Height: 150 mm
            5. Print Area Length: 150 mm
   7. If you would like a video walk through, here’s a dated yet still accurate video on the installation process and setup of Repetier for Printrbot Simple Metal.
3. 3D Printer Accessories:
   1. A z-height Calibration nut: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1530752

Install / Register for CAD tools:

1. TinkerCAD.com – a very easy-to-use, in-browser CAD tool that allows their users or “tinkerers” to generate 3D models ready for 3D printing.
   1. Most of these programs have tutorials, we strongly encourage you to watch those and build the models they suggest.
2. OnShape.com – a more intense, engineering-level CAD tool that allows users to draft engineering-grade, 3D models ready not only for 3D printing but also nearer to being manufactured by professionals.
   1. Most of these programs have tutorials, we strongly encourage you to watch those and build the models they suggest.
3. Selva3D.com – quickly convert a 2D sketch or logo into a STL file ready for modification in TinkerCAD or straight to 3D printing.
4. Thingiverse.com – don’t reinvent the wheel, Thingiverse has millions of pre-designed 3D models for you to download and 3D print.  It’s a great starting point to see what’s possible on a 3D printer.

Other resources for learning:

You3Dit.com/learn – we have a TON of software, design and other digital fabrication tips, tricks and videos there to help you get started.

HandsOnRI.com – this is the official site for Hands-on Rapid Innovation, where we have a bunch of tools to help students perform their market tests.

That’s the nuts and bolts of 3D Design and Printing.  If you have any questions whatsoever, please don’t hesitate to reach out to someone on our team: support@you3dit.com

Best of luck to all teams and we’re looking forward to an amazingly fun weekend!