Trifecta^TM 800 & STEM:IT

The most common type of 3D printing is Fused Filament Fabrication, or FFF. A thermoplastic, such as Trifecta™ PLA Filament, is heated to its melting point and extruded layer by layer to create a three dimensional print. Watch the demo video to see Trifecta™ 800 in action!

There are many competitive advantages to Trifecta. It’s a lightweight machine that boasts a proportionally larger build volume than other printers on the market. It’s one of the quietest printers, despite not being enclosed. The open design allows for optimal viewing by curious students, unlike other open printers where it’s difficult to view a print job. If the filament ever gets tangled, the open spool is much easier than enclosed filament cartridges to detangle. Trifecta only accepts PLA filament, which is safer and more eco-friendly than ABS filament. The printer’s set up takes a quick 15 minutes, and learning how to use it and the software is easy for any layperson. Lastly, Trifecta comes with an array of lesson plans and printer tutorials to help educators get started.

3D printing is taking over nearly every industry by storm. Due to its ubiquity, early exposure to this cutting-edge technology will equip students with a more advanced skill set, especially in STEM fields. Trifecta is an excellent stepping stone for students who have little to no knowledge of the technology, due to its ease of use. It’s also a great resource for experienced STEM students looking for rapid prototyping.
3D printing is closely aligns with the maker movement as it fosters the development of users by allowing them to tinker with the expectation of failing. Through an iterative learning process, users gain a deeper understanding 3D printing.
Trifecta also taps into the needs of both visual and kinesthetic learners. For students who do best under the latter learning style, coupling a tangible, relevant object that ties to a lesson has proven to help students understand and recall subjects better than without the object.
Lastly, Trifecta comes with a variety of curriculum-based lesson plans that cover science, technology, art, business, geography, and more.

Students are encouraged to use the machine to achieve hands-on learning with 3D printing technology. While warning labels are on the machine, students should be mindful of the pinch points and hotend, which can reach up to 464°F (240°C).

Prints made using FFF technology are typically made of one of two plastic types: PLA (polylactic acid) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). Trifecta™ PLA Filament is a biodegradable polymer that’s made from corn, whereas the majority of ABS is non-biodegradable and emits a strong chemical odor. PLA melts at a lower temperature than ABS and doesn’t require a heated bed. The polymer is generally harder than ABS as the layer bond is very strong. Overall, PLA is safer and more environmentally-friendly than its counterpart.

Here is a small list of low cost or free programs where you can learn how to design an object for 3D printing: • Tinkercad • Tinkerplay • Leopoly • AutoDesk® 123D® • SketchUp • OpenSCAD

Trifecta can only print one filament color at a time. Duo extrusion printers take a substantially longer time to print two-toned objects. You can, however, pause the print job and change the filament spool color to achieve a multi-color layered effect.

Any object less than 8.7″ high, 6.5″ wide, and 8.7″ long.

The sky is the limit! Whether it’s a volcano, a robot, or even a wombat, it can be printed. Trifecta™ 800 can print any .stl or .obj file you create or find. *Please note that some user-created files’ quality is contingent on how the user designed her or his file. A file may print poorly if it was not set up correctly on the designer’s end.

The duration of a print depends on a print’s size and assigned settings. If all settings are equal, a larger sized print will take longer than a smaller one. Increasing the micron resolution, infill percentage, wall width, and overall size will add on time, especially the resolution. For quicker prints, print at 300 microns versus 50.
After “slicing” a file, the software will tell the user an estimated time of completion. When the object is printing, the LCD screen will display estimated time of completion and elapsed time.

The cost per print depends on the amount of filament used. Trifecta™ Software displays the weight of an object after it is sliced. The VariQuest™ Resource Center includes a print cost calculator where you can type in the weight of your print, and it will tell you the cost. Otherwise, users can divide their print’s weight by the weight of the filament (750 grams). Multiply that number by the cost of the filament ($79.95), and that is the weight of your print. For example, if a print is 10 grams, 10 ÷ 750 = .013; .013 x 79.95 = 1.07 the print is $1.07.