3D Printing

To print an object, you need to start with a 3D model.

There are many 3D objects that have been generated and posted for you to download. The following sites all contain searchable libraries of models (as .stl or .obj files) for download. Note that:

• Projects contain varying levels of information and are of varying levels of quality.

• Projects have counters showing likes and comments to judge popularity and see reviews.

• Some projects are customizable.

You can also create your own 3D models or manipulate existing models using a tool such as TinkerCAD.

Once you have chosen an item that you would like to print, download the files.

Locate the file or downloaded folder in your Downloads. You may have to open a Zip file. Open the folder and locate the desired .stl or .obj file(s).

Click the Add (+) button in the center-top menu to add your .stl or .obj files. Locate the folder and files for your 3D model (default is in Downloads>[Object Folder Name]>Files).

Select the .obj or .stl file for your model and double-click or hit Open.

The 3D model you want to print should appear on the screen. The model is displayed shown on a digital version of the actual print surface. If you click on the object, you can manipulate your object as needed:

• Scaling - Click the icon for “Scale” and click and drag an orange, corner box to increase or decrease the total size of the final print.

• Transforming - Click the icon for“Scale” and and drag a green (Y-axis width), red (x-axis width) or blue (z-axis heighth) box to stretch/contract along one axis.

• Rotating - Click the icon for “Rotate” and use the red, green or blue boxes.

• Arranging the object on the print surface - Click on “Move” and drag the object around the surface of the print area. (PrusaSlicer does not handle changing the z-axis well, as it prefers to keep the model sitting flush on the print surface). If it’s blue that means it’s not positioned on the sheet.

You can also change the settings for how your model will print. The easiest way to do this is to use the menus on the right side of the window.

• • “Print settings” allows you to choose presets for how quickly and how detailed your model will print. Higher quality prints require finer layers and more precision, and this comes at a cost of speed.

  • “Supports” is important when printing models that may have gaps. The 3D printer is unable to print into empty space, so adding supports (which are cut away after the print is completed) allows for this. For the best chance at a successful print, use “Everywhere”.

  • “Infill” determines how much filament is used inside the solid walls of your model. More infill means more filament and a heavier model with more build time. Often, model creators offer a suggested infill percentage, although 15% is a good, default setting.

  • “Brim” is helpful when printing a model that does not have a lot of contact with the print bed. A brim is a layer of extra material printed at the base that helps the print to adhere to the print bed during the printing process. The brim can be trimmed away after printing.

Click Slice now in the bottom right corner of the window. The display now shows how the printer will construct the object, including the supports. Double-check that this is what you would like to print.

If you like what you see on the screen, click Export G-code in the bottom right corner of the window. You can change the name of the file, if you like, and the file saves into the same folder as the downloaded model files. The location and the file are important for the next step.

The extruder head and the print bed need to heat up to the proper temperatures. Start this process by checking the temperature settings for the “Heater” and “Bed” in the lower left. When the temperature values are to your liking (values are in Celsius) hit Set for both the heater and bed. The readout on the printer should reflect the target temperatures, and it should begin showing that the temperatures are moving toward the target (it will appear as x°/x° on the printer’s LCD display).

• Different types of filament require different temperatures. The filament on this printer is PLA (polylactic acid).

• The extruder heat (“Heater”) works well at 205° and the “Bed” works well at 70°.

Click Load file on the left in the second row of buttons. When prompted, find your G-code file and click Open. Now, the layer-by-layer instructions have been loaded into PronterFace.

Once the G-code has loaded into PronterFace and the printer displays the correct temperatures, in PronterFace, click Print (the button is in the second row).

Now, the 3D printer takes over. It will check the level of the print bed and draw some preliminary lines to prepare the extruder head for printing. Next, it will begin to put down the first layers of your object.

Keep an eye on the printer throughout the process to make sure that the print process does not encounter any errors and that the model stays in place and continues to print correctly. The printer and software correct for minor errors that may pop-up along the way. If you encounter any catastrophic errors and need to stop your print using the Pause button. This will give you a chance to clear the program using Reset or Disconnect. Then hold the button/dial on the 3D until you see a reading for adjusting the z-axis. You can spin the dial to move the print head up which will make it easier to extract the unfinished build.

If the printer is currently printing, you can adjust the speed of the 3D printer. Push the button/dial on the 3D printer, select Tune from the menu, then select Speed, then use the dial to move the speed up or down to your desired setting. Once you have selected the speed, push the button again, then return to the main display by selecting Info Screen.

Once your print has completed, use the scraper spatula to free your build from the print bed.

You may need to clean your completed build to remove supports or a brim. You can use a blade (e.g. an exacto knife), pliers, sandpaper and other tools to prepare your final model.