SELECTING AND PRINTING THE FIRST MODEL
To start, Antonija and I picked a 3D model we both liked. When deciding what to print, we thought about what would look cool on our lab desks, considering we’re both into cellular processes. We also wanted something that looked solid and sturdy. For our first test run, we went with the self-heal pollen grain Prunella vulgaris (https://3d.nih.gov/entries/3DPX-021114). We didn’t know when we picked it, but apparently, it’s also used medicinally.
After selecting a model, we downloaded the file and uploaded it into Bambu Studio Slicer to prep it for FDM printing. Since neither of us had experience with 3D printing, we stuck to the recommended settings from the instruction sheets. Once we sent the job to the printer, we waited for the first layer to finish (left). As you can see in the final product (right), the print had a ton of internal supports. These were really difficult to remove because the strips were packed so closely together. On top of that, the strips seemed too thin and didn’t look as sturdy as we’d hoped.
We weren’t sure how to fix these issues, so instead of tweaking the settings and reprinting, we decided to switch things up entirely. For our next print, we chose the human enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase (https://3d.nih.gov/entries/3DPX-002368), which plays a key role in ATP production. Not only did this seem easier to print (since the internal supports would be simpler to remove), but honestly, we also thought it looked cooler.
Like before, we waited for the first layer to print to make sure everything was going smoothly. After the full printing time, we removed our model from the printer—and we loved how it turned out!
Trying a Different Printing Method
We decided to move forward with this structure for SLA printing. This time, we used PreForm Slicer. A lab technician warned us that supports might be tough to remove with this material, so we tried turning off the internal supports. But we quickly realized this software worked very differently from the last one. It wasn’t as “dumb” and wouldn’t let us use print settings it considered unideal. No matter how many times we adjusted the settings, the supports kept showing up (left). Eventually, we gave up and printed it anyway (right). Another success!
Well… almost. Turns out, we weren’t quite ready for post-processing. Apparently, SLA printing requires two extra steps: washing and curing. Washing removes excess resin, and curing hardens the material, which is still sticky at that point. A lab technician handled the washing for us and left the print on the table. The next day, we finished up with curing.
At first, everything looked great—until we noticed an entire part of the print was missing! We asked around, and everyone had a different theory: maybe someone accidentally broke off a piece, maybe the software didn’t process the shape correctly, or maybe we didn’t use enough resin. Since we didn’t have a clear answer, we just decided to redo the print and hope for the best. Much to our relief, it worked! Our prints were now ready for post-processing and finishing.
Post-Processing and Finishing
When removing the supports, we quickly noticed that it was a little harder with the SLA print than with the FDM print. The material was more flexible, so it didn’t snap off as cleanly. Removing the supports left tiny protrusions, which we sanded down using P120 sandpaper. Finally, we spray-painted our prints. We wanted to give them some depth, so our plan was to apply one layer of dark purple, followed by a layer of light purple, and finish with a clear coat. However, after adding the light purple, the prints looked a little old and faded (left). To fix this, we added another layer of dark purple before finishing with the clear coat (right).
In the end, we were really happy with how they turned out—and now we have some cool new desk decorations!
Table 1: Printing Specs
| Technique | Material | Object | Supports | Dimensions | Time | Notes |
| FDM | PLA | Prunella Vulgaris | Internal and external | 2.50 (x) x 2.34 (y) x 1.91 (z) in | 3 hr 4m (30m to design and modify; 2hr 34m to print) | Settings: layer height 0.5mm, outer wall 0.5mm, inner wall 0.5mm; internal supports difficult to remove |
| FDM | PLA | Pyruvate dehydrogenase | External | 2.50 (x) x 2.34 (y) x 1.91 (z) in | 2hr 19m (30m to design and modify; 1hr 49m to print) | Submitted for assignment |
| SLA | Clear V4 resin | Pyruvate dehydrogenase | Internal & external | 2.50 (x) x 2.34 (y) x 1.91 (z) in | 3hr 34m (30m to design and modify; 3hr 4m to print; 10m to wash; 15m to cure) | Piece missing from print |
| SLA | Clear V4 resin | Pyruvate dehydrogenase | Internal & external | 2.50 (x) x 2.34 (y) x 1.91 (z) in | 3hr 59m (30m to design and modify; 3hr 4m to print; 10m to wash; 30m to cure) | Extended cure time since previous print did not cure fully; submitted for assignment |
Table 2: Cost analysis
Total cost of FDM model: $194-$203; Total cost of SLA model: $733-$1,133
From the cost calculation, we can see that creating an SLA model print is much more expensive than creating an FDM model due to the higher equipment, material, and facility costs.
Fig. 1: Not-so-clean station — spray-painting is inherently messy! But we made sure to spray-paint outside and on cardboard.
