3D Printing
CAUTION: SAFETY GLASSES ARE REQUIRED FOR ANY TYPE OF 3D PRINTING. ONLY PRINT IF TAPE IS ON THE BED. PRINTER ONLY PRINTS STL FORMATTED FILES. MAKE SURE FILE IS IN MILLIMETERS.
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These are instructions for using the ultimaker 3d printer at nc state university. This is what the 3d printer looks like:
Start by logging into the computer connected to the 3d printer.
Start Cura.
The first time your account uses cura, you will need to use the setup wizard.
1 Select your most fluent language (instructions assume english).
2 Click Next.
Now, you will be taken to a screen to select the model. Our model is the ultimaker original.
3 Select Ultimaker original.
4 Click Next.
The next screen will ask what extensions we have. We have the extruder upgrade.
5 Make sure only the extruder upgrade box is checked (as in the picture).
6 Click Next
The Ultimaker will now ask if we want to upgrade the firmware (which we don't)
7 Click Skip Upgrade
8 Click Skip Checks.
9 DO NOT RUN BED LEVELING
Bed leveling will fail when the print head reaches the back of the ultimaker.
10 Click Finish.
When Cura is running it should display a window like this one:
1 Next turn on the printer by flicking the switch on the right side of the printer. (Next to the power cord)
You might hear a fan cooling the bottom of the printer.
2 Make sure that tape covers the bed. The tape only needs to cover the top of the bed, where the printing happens.
Applying tape to an uncovered bed is discussed later.
Note, the picture depicts tape wrapped under the bed, this is fine to use.
Warning: Do not apply tape like this because it is difficult to remove.
1 Delete any model that appears.
Hopefully, you came to the printer with the intention of making something specific. While you could print the default model, you likely do not want it.
2 Load your model into Cura.
i. Click on file in the top right corner
ii. Select load
iii. Navigate to the stl model you want to print
iv. Click open
It should load up quickly. Make sure the model was exported in milimeters, in an stl format.
3 Click the model
4 Using the buttons in the bottom left corner, rotate the model correctly.
The side on the bottom is flattened. Orientation of the model best practices is outside the scope of this introduction, but be mindful of it.
Warning: Make certain the model is not near the back of the printer, as this will cause errors.
Before we print, we need to set the print settings for the particular part.
1 Click Expert and switch to full settings.
This should open up a pane next to the model view window of additional settings.
2 For casings, set fill density to 50%. For mechanical, do fill density between 70-90%.
Leave all other settings at default.
4 Click print with usb (The middle button in the top left corner of the center model view window).
You should see a connection dialogue window. It does not always work. Try starting restarting and various other things until it works.
Depending on the UI choice, you should be able to move the printer head by clicking on the picture (in Pronterface UI). Instructions on how to change UI given in troubleshoot.
5 Click print.
The printer will start heating up, once it reaches its temperature (which should be around 200 degrees celcius), it will automatically move to home. Then start printing.
It should start by making an outline of the model. Make sure that the printing line is a dark and is sticking to the tape.
6 After the printer is done printing, use the paint scraper to remove the 3D printed part making sure not to harm the bed or the part.
7 Don't forget to turn off the printer afterwards.
To change UI for USB printing, open file->preferences-> under printing window type, change from basic to Pronterface UI. Pronterface UI allows you to manually move the printer head before printing.