Once you have your 3D model prepared, you are ready to print.
You can ask a student assistant for access to the 3D printing room. They can also help you if you are unsure about any of the steps.
Preparing the File
Make sure your file is named according to this format: [group]_[part]_[version]. Also check that your file is sliced for the correct printer, either the Adventurer 4 or the 5M Pro.
Take the USB stick for the printer that you have chosen and copy your .gx file to the root directory of the drive.
Starting the Print
Before you start make sure the build plate is empty! If there are any prints finished, please remove them and put them in the “3D Prints” box in cupboard 2.
Plug your USB stick back into its designated printer. The process of printing is slightly different on the two types of printers we have.
Adventurer 4: On the screen of the printer, press the “Build” button, followed by the USB icon labeled “USB Device”. Find your file in the list (it should be the first file), select it and press “Build”.
Adventurer 5M Pro: On the screen of the pritner, press the nozzle icon on the left side, followed by the USB icon. Find your file in the list (it should be the first file), select it and start printing by pressing the green checkmark.
It is good practice to stay with the printer for the first minute after starting the print. This is useful to ensure the print starts smoothly and to spot potential issues early if possible.
Removing the Print
When your print is complete, you can either remove it yourself or find it in the box labeled “3D Prints” inside cupboard 2.
This process is the same for both printers. To remove the print yourself, begin by detaching the magnetic build plate cover. Lift it by the tab, after which you should be able to slide it out. Then to remove the print, slightly bend the build plate to loosen the model. You should also notice small purge lines (extra plastic used to prepare the nozzle before printing) on the right side of the plate and around your model. These should also be removed and discarded in the waste bin below the printers.
Once the build plate is empty, you can slide the magnetic build plate cover back into place. Slide it back into place with the tab side angled up slightly, then lower it into place.
Cleaning
After printing, you might need to do some final adjustments, such as removing supports. These can be either broken off by hand or might require using some pliers or a Dremel.
Troubleshooting
Filament has (nearly) run out
If you are printing a big print, it might happen that the filament runs out. If this happens, you can pause the print and change the filament. The printer will then continue printing where it left off. If you are printing a small print, it might be better to start over. Always ask an SA to help with swapping the filament.
Print not sticking to the bed
If your print is not sticking to the bed it might be that the bed is not level or that your part as not enough surface area to stick to the bed. If the bed is not level you can level ask an SA to help you level the bed. You could also add a raft or brim, as this will help with stability and support.
Build plate grinds into bottom of 3D printer
Ask an SA for help. If the build plate is trying to go home, but getting stuck at the bottom try the following steps:
- Factory reset the printer
- Push the build plate up manually all the way to the top
- Let the printer recalibrate