FDM 3D printer

Please read the FDM rules of thumb section before starting your first print.

lulzbot taz 6

lab64 has one Lulzbot Taz 6 printer stocked with PLA material.

Install the Cura Lulzbot software

Go to https://www.lulzbot.com/cura and download the appropriate software for your computer.

On startup, select Lulzbot Taz 6, then click "Next" and select "Single Extruder", then click "Next" and select "Finish" using the default settings.

Load your model

File -> "Open File" and select your file. Note that the supported file types are .stl, .obj, .x3d, .3mf, .png, .jpg.

Position your part on the print bed

Move

Move your part to the desired location on the build plate.

Rotate

Select the best orientation for your part.

scale

Verify that the dimensions of your part are what you would expect! Change the scaling as needed.

Material

lab64 supplies PLA material, but occasionally some users use their own material and may forget to swap the material back to PLA. Therefore, check the filament spool currently on the printer and check that the material is indeed PLA.
Then select "Polylite PLA (Polymaker)" in the drop-down menu for "Material."

Print Setup

Use the recommended settings to start. For more information on custom settings, see the printer manual.

Profile

Use "Standard" as default.
Select "High Detail" for higher precision parts, knowing that your print will take longer to complete. Select "High Speed" for quick turnaround, knowing that your print will be lower resolution.

Generate Supports

Supports can be added to your part by selecting the "Generate Support" button on the right sidebar of the Cura Lulzbot software. Default to checking this button unless you know your part does not need support. The software will indicate regions of your part that need support by highlighting them in red.

Note: if you do select supports, you will only be able to see them by selecting "Layer view" (on the top bar).

Build Plate Adhesion

Select one of the following three options:

Skirt: This option generates a line of filament around your part. This has no functional purpose other than to extract any "gunky" filament from the nozzle so that your part starts with a clean section of filament. This should be your default option for every print.
Brim: "Brim circles the base of the print while making contact, helping adhere the print to the heated plate. This is only one layer thick, and easily removed post-print." (Taz 6 Manual)
Raft: "Raft is a platform built underneath your object, designed to help adhesion and prevent warping. It will lay down support material, and then a platform on top of the supports. Your model will be built on top of this platform. The bottom surface of your printed part will not be as clean or as even when using this option. Raft is typically not required." (Taz 6 Manual)

TLDR: Usually a skirt is enough. If your part is small and you are worried about bed adhesion, you can use a brim.

Sign-In

Before starting a print, please sign-in! Here is a link to the sign-in sheet. Additionally, a QR code on the printer can be scanned to access the sign-in sheet.

Transfer your file to the printer

Remove the SD card from the printer and insert it into your computer. Note that we are actually using a micro-SD card with an SD card adapter.

The "Save to File" button will automatically switch to "Save to Removable Drive." Select this button and eject the SD card from your computer once the transfer is finished.

No sd card? try usb

Connect the USB to your computer. In Cura, click on the Monitor tab. Check that the LulzBot TAZ 6 is the selected printer. WARNING: If you choose to print by USB, your computer MUST be connected by USB to the LulzBot TAZ 6 for the ENTIRE duration of the print.

check the nozzle

Use the brush to scrub off excess residue on the nozzle. If there is too much residue on the nozzle, the printer will not be able to calibrate the z-height properly (see print section below).

Check the filament

Verify that the material written on the side of the spool corresponds to the material you selected in the Cura Lulzbot software.
Check that enough filament is left to complete your print. If you are unsure if enough filament is left, stay in the room during your print to stop the printer if it runs out of material or ask a lab64 TA to place a new spool of filament. If the printer runs out of filament in the middle of your print, serious damage could occur to the nozzle!

Start your print

Using and SD Card:

Click the circular button once to exit the Info Screen and enter the main menu.
Select "Print from SD", then select your file.

Using a USB cable:

In the Monitor tab, scroll below "Predefined Commands"
Start print!

Stay for the first layer of your print

Often, prints will fail early on due to lack of build plate adhesion. Instead of adhering to the build platform, the filament will adhere to the nozzle, resulting in potential clogging and damage of the nozzle. Therefore, please stay to watch the successful completion of the first layer of your print before leaving!

The printing process

The printer will begin by heating up the nozzle to 140C and the bed to 60C (for PLA plastic).

Retraction

The printing head gears will retract (pull filament out of the nozzle) for a few seconds to prevent filament from dripping out of the nozzle during the calibration process.

Nozzle Residue Removal

The printer will then attempt to remove residue from the nozzle. Often, this step alone is not enough to clean the nozzle, so properly removing excess residue with a brush before the printing process is still necessary.

Height Calibration

The nozzle will then touch all four metallic corners of the printing bed to calibrate the z-height of the nozzle. If the nozzle is too dirty, the printer will not be able to make electrical contact with all four corners and the printer will throw an error.

Filament extrusion

Next, the nozzle will heat up to 210C (for PLA plastic) and begin extruding filament.

(Image shown to the right displays skirt).

Remove your print

Use the spatula to gently remove your part from the build platform.

Room 004 Etiquette

If someone else's print has fully finished, you may carefully remove the print from the bed for them and start your own print. Reciprocally, be aware that if you don't return to the printer as soon as your print has finished, others may remove your part from the print bed for you and may accidentally damage your part in the process.

If you notice that a print is failing on a printer, please stop the printer.

If a printer is not working, poke around to figure out what the problem is and how you might fix it. The 3D printers are meant to be used and taken cared of by the community. If you're still stuck, email the lab64 CA's at lab64ca@ee.stanford.edu, and we'll be happy to help.

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