How to Use 3d Pen?

What is a 3D pen?

A 3D pen is a tool, with the appearance of a ballpoint pen, which allows us to make drawings and structures in 3 dimensions without the need for a 3D printer, computer, or complicated software. These 3D pens f union similar to the 3D printers, but with the difference that these allow us to do it by freehand. With these pens, we can capture all those ideas that come to mind, from figurines to useful tools. They will be a great gift both for artists and for people who want to try new creative things.

For those who buy a 3D pen for the first time, we will see a step-by-step guide on how to make 3D pen shapes as general as possible. You will learn how a 3D pen works and how it should be used.

The different ways to use a 3D Pen

There are many methods to use a pen, although they are often marketed as artistic devices. Pens can be used for repair or decoration in conjunction with 3D printers. Also, small parts can be welded together to create larger models. Here are the different possibilities of creativity with a pen:

• Ornaments, jewelry, and pendants are hanging.
• Magnets and decorative art.
• Customize your items such as laptops, pens, smartphones, etc.
• Create basic shapes and models in 3D.
• Create a mini Eiffel Tower.
• Create flat or 2D shapes.

Step by step guide on how to use a 3D pencil

1. Take it out of the box: It seems silly, but it is essential to remove all the elements of the table in an organized way so as not to lose anything along the way and stay half-way. Generally, we will have a 3D ballpoint pen, a charger/feeder, plastic filaments, and user manuals. In some 3D pencils should be put on the extruder tip, which is very easy.
2. Connect the 3D pen to the current: Once assembled (without the filament at the moment), we connect it to the socket, and we give the power button. The current 3D pens have screens or an LED that indicates the state of the pen. We will wait for the LED or the screen to tell us that it is ready. This will take some minutes.
3. Add filament: At the top of the pen, there is a hole through which the thread must be added. We put it to the bottom and press the extrusion button (down) until the filament starts to come out.
4. In the case that it has a screen, it will be necessary to choose what type of filament we are going to use, whether it is ABS or PLA. This will determine the temperature at which we will use the 3D printing pen.
5. Extrusion test: Check that the extrusion and retraction buttons work. We press the buttons next to the tip and check that they are working.
6. TO DRAW WITH THE 3D PEN

If you are one of those who prefer to see it in a short video, here is one for you to see how a 3D pen is used.

Tips for using a 3D Pen

Some feathers include control of the filament’s outlet temperature. This allows the plastic to get hotter or colder and more comfortable to handle as needed.

• High temperature: If we want to mold or retouch the filament when it comes out at the tip, we will increase the temperature. In this way, the elastic thread will be more malleable, and we can give it a more defined shape. This is recommended for most professionals.
• Low temperature: If what we want is a quick cooling so that the form remains instantaneously, we will have to lower the temperature. The filament will not be as manageable, but we can make the lines with more precision.

Other pens allow regulating the output speed of 3D ink. This will enable doing more complex works. If we required a lot of precision, we could lower the output speed of the filament. If we prefer pace, we increase it.

The screens of modern pens will give us all this information and allow us to change it in a very visual and easy way.

How to draw with a 3D pen?

To make drawings in 3 dimensions, we can use the pen vertically or horizontally. To this, we mean that we can make drawings on a template or freehand. Both techniques are very different, so let’s see them in depth.

Horizontal drawing

The horizontal drawing consists of making figures on the table as if it were a standard drawing. In general, the vertical faces of the value we want to make horizontally are made, and when they are all vertical, they come together. Generally, this type of drawing is done with a template in which the figure must be followed.

I mean, let’s assume we want to build a building. The first thing will be to make the walls on paper and separately. Once we have the four walls, they are vertical, and they stick together, forming the square.

Vertical drawing

The vertical drawing with the 3D pencil is more complicated because it requires imagination and the ability to do what we want. There are different techniques to draw in 3D freehand.

• To make straight lines, you have to put the pen in the beginning, press to remove the filament, and go up to the desired height and angle. There it is necessary to hold a few seconds until the filament has hardened. Then we will have that straight line.
• To make volumes, a very used technique is that of the circles. This technique is used to create columns, legs, or any vertical cylindrical element. It consists of making circles very close together as the 3D pencil is raised, forming the desired column.
• We can make vertical hollow elements doing only the perimeter and proceeding as in the technique of the circles.

How to use different speeds?

The pen has two main speeds: slow and fast. Speed determines the flow of plastic, resulting in delicate and intricate details at your own pace. You can switch from one gear to another by pressing the lower or upper buttons on the pen body.