Troubleshooting
Working with Student Files to Prepare for Print
In order to support students in 3D printing with TinkerCad and being able to use time wisely with printing, it is recommended that teachers have created an account with TinkerCad and then have created a class.
Do NOT use your gedu account to create your class, use a different email address.
https://www.tinkercad.com/classrooms
The video below shows how to take multiple student files and bring them into one file to have them print as one. This is recommended to save time and energy.
Please note that the build plate should be re-sized to 240mm by 140mm in order to adjust to the size of the build plate for the printer. Doing this step will ensure that the final file is ready for slicing.
TinkerCad printing objects for a class.webmPrepping the File for Printing - "slicing"
Once your objects have been exported as a .STL file, you need to have them "sliced" in order to prepare the file for the 3D Printer. The printer needs to have a .gcode file in order to print.
In the loan kit, you have a laptop that will allow you to
1 - log into Tinkercad
2 - modify your objects and files as needed
3 - export your STL
4 - open the DREMEL SLICER
5- open your .stl file
6 - adjust it to the centre of the build plate and ensure that you have the correct filament type and other criteria ready, then,
7 - slice the file and save it to your removable disk as a gcode
**If you have installed the Dremel software onto an alternate computer, here are the minimum requirements for function - Supported operating systems: Apple® Mac® OS® not supported at this time - Will be in first update. Microsoft® Windows® 7 SP1, 64-bit (32-bit not supported) Microsoft Windows 8.1, 64-bit (32-bit not supported) Microsoft Windows 10, 64-bit (32-bit not supported) Minimum Windows system specifications: CPU: 64-bit processor (32-bit not supported) Memory: 3 GB RAM (4 GB or more recommended) Storage: 300 MB free disk space for installation Graphics: OpenGL 2 compatible graphics chip, OpenGL 4.1 for 3D Layer view
Printing Setup
Once your objects have been sliced and the file loaded to USB, here are the setup steps with the printer:
Coat the build plate with a layer of glue.
Ensure the build plate is correctly installed and clipped in.
Insert USB stick
Select build
Select USB
Scroll to locate your correct file.
Select your file.
Check build time and file name.
Select build
File will copy to the printer memory.
Nozzle and platform will pre-heat for the filament detected.
Clearing the Build Plate after the Print
Accept the completed job.
Open the printer and unclip the front of the build plate to lift it out.
Use the tool to carefully (yet with force) lift the printed objects
Wash the glue and remaining plastic off the build plate with water.
Replace the build plate.
Troubleshooting the Print Job
There can (unfortunately) be lots of things that can go wrong in a 3D print, anywhere along the process. Here are a few common occurrences along with the solutions.
Video 1 to help you recalibrate the printer after a failed print.
Video 2 to help you recalibrate the printer after a failed print.
Unclogging the extruder
If the printer is still running as though it is creating the objects, but there is no filament coming out, the filament may be clogged. If the filament is broken, the printer will stop, but a clog won't stop the printer.
Check to make sure that the filament temperature is 230 and the build plate temperature is 40 degrees.
Changing the filament
Some of print issues that can come up
Filament break
Follow the step-by-step instructions on the screen to reload or change the filament.
Here is avideo tutorial: https://youtu.be/4EDTA8yB0dg
Spaghetti mess
Stop the print job, clear the build plate, recalibrate the printer and start over.
Caused when the build plate isn't level or when there is some overhang from one of the objects that cannot support the upper filament.
Also caused when there isn't enough glue on the build plate to hold the initial lines of filament.
Repeated errors
If there is a repeated error in the print, like a big pile of filament goo, the print nozzle may need to be re-calibrated.
Dragging one object
When it looks like one object didn't stick and got pulled around the build plate (often causing other issues): cancel the build, recalibrate the machine and check the temperature settings (filament 230 and build plate 40), wash the build plate and reglue, and restart.
Print incomplete even though the printer said it was complete
When it looks like the objects worked well except they didn't print "all the way up" leaving an impression that the objects are cut off partway through the print: recalibrate the machine and check the temperature settings (filament 230 and build plate 40), wash the build plate and reglue, and restart.
Often this can happen when the print is very large (long time) and so I often slice only one object from the build, and maybe even at a lower quality.