Programming a TI-84 Plus CE Calculator for 3D Printing: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction:

3D printing has become an essential technology in various fields, from prototyping to manufacturing. One critical aspect of 3D printing is understanding the time and resources required for a print job. In this article, we'll explore how to program a TI-84 Plus CE calculator to calculate the various parameters involved in 3D printing, such as print duration, heat times for the printer, and material consumption. This guide aims to provide a detailed walkthrough on programming the calculator to store and compute these essential calculations.

Prerequisites:

Before diving into the programming aspect, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

1. Basic Programming Knowledge: Familiarity with TI-BASIC programming language, the language used for programming TI-84 calculators.

2. Understanding 3D Printing Concepts: A basic understanding of 3D printing concepts, including layer height, print speed, and material properties.

3. TI-84 Plus CE Calculator: Make sure you have a TI-84 Plus CE calculator with up-to-date firmware.

Programming the TI-84 Plus CE Calculator:

1. Heat Times Calculation:

The heat-up time for a 3D printer depends on various factors, including the type of material and the printer's build. To calculate this on your TI-84 Plus CE, you can use the following simple program:

TI

:Prompt MaterialType
:Prompt AmbientTemperature
:Prompt TargetTemperature

:If MaterialType = 1
:Then
:  Disp "Material: PLA"
:  HeatTime = 10 + (TargetTemperature - AmbientTemperature) * 2
:End
:If MaterialType = 2
:Then
:  Disp "Material: ABS"
:  HeatTime = 15 + (TargetTemperature - AmbientTemperature) * 3
:End

:Disp "Estimated Heat Time:", HeatTime, "minutes"

This program prompts the user for the material type, ambient temperature, and target temperature. It then calculates the estimated heat time based on the material type and temperature differential.

2. Print Duration Calculation:

Calculating the print duration involves considering factors like layer height, print speed, and the object's complexity. Here's a basic program to get you started:

TI

:Prompt LayerHeight
:Prompt PrintSpeed
:Prompt ObjectComplexity

:PrintDuration = LayerHeight * ObjectComplexity / PrintSpeed

:Disp "Estimated Print Duration:", PrintDuration, "hours"

This program prompts the user for layer height, print speed, and the object's complexity. It then calculates the estimated print duration based on these parameters.

3. Overall Print Completion Time:

To calculate the overall print completion time, combine the heat-up time and print duration:

TI

:Prompt HeatTime
:Prompt PrintDuration

:TotalTime = HeatTime + PrintDuration

:Disp "Total Print Time:", TotalTime, "hours"

This program prompts the user for the heat-up time and print duration, then calculates the total time required for the entire 3D printing process.

Conclusion:

Programming a TI-84 Plus CE calculator for 3D printing calculations can enhance your understanding of the printing process and provide quick estimates for print times. Feel free to expand and customize these programs based on your specific 3D printing setup and preferences. As you delve deeper into programming the calculator, you may find opportunities to add more features and optimizations to make the tool even more useful for your 3D printing endeavors.