Understanding the LulzBot TAZ 5 3-D Printer and Dual Extruder V3 Print Head

This report documents the processes and procedures that the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory's Explosive Effects Branch follows to produce plastic and rubber components with the LulzBot TAZ 5 3-D printer. The printer operates using the fused deposition modeling method to produce parts like explosive containers, surrogate mines, electronics cases, instrumentation mounts, and demonstration pieces for illustration purposes in a fast, cost-effective, and repeatable manner. SolidWorks computer-aided design (CAD) part files are converted to stereolithography files and imported into the Cura printer host slicing-application software, which cuts the model into horizontal layers, creates a printing path for the print head to follow on each layer of the model, and controls the movement of the TAZ 5. A basic understanding of the hardware, the filament material, the slicing application, and the CAD model is required to set proper parameters to produce a satisfactory part. A print job can fail at times but the outlined troubleshooting methods can reduce downtime.