Difference between revisions of "Getting a good print"

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(Importance of the first layer)
(Importance of the first layer)
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::Move the bed down and up one more time to ensure smooth operation
 
::Move the bed down and up one more time to ensure smooth operation
  
*Setting the Z home position for the build plate
+
===Setting the Z home position for the build plate===
 +
The correct Z home position will place the top surface of the build plate even with the hot-end tip. If the Z home position is too high the nozzle will be too close to the bed during the first layer. If the Z home position is too low the filament will not stick to the bed.
  
::The correct Z home position will place the top surface of the build plate even with the hot-end tip.
+
===Calibrating the filament feed rate===
 +
:Rough calibration
 +
:Fine calibration
  
*Calibrating the filament feed rate
+
===Printing overhangs===
::Rough calibration
+
There are two things that will help in printing overhangs without support material
::Fine calibration
+
  
*Printing overhangs
+
*Increasing the filament extrusion rate
 +
 
 +
*Increasing the number of perimeters in the slicing parameters

Revision as of 20:32, 31 July 2014

Tips and tricks to 3D printing

Additive manufacturing is not a magical process. The physics of classical mechanics, thermal dynamics and fluid mechanics are all fairly well understood. The difference between traditional (subtractive) manufacturing and 3D printing (additive) manufacturing is the application of the physics involved. Below is a study of the science and art of physics applied to 3D printing.

Importance of the first layer

The layer wise building process of 3D printing relies on a flat building surface. The first layer deposited on the build plate is the foundation for your print.

  • Taking the time to ensure the build plate is flat and parallel to the head movement
Steps 58-61 here: [Dozuki assembly instructions]
Apply plenty of grease to the Z axis threaded rods.
Lower the bed until the bed side plates are just above the Z axis motors
Adjust the Z axis threaded rods to make both bed side plates an equal distance above the Z axis motors
Slightly loosen (1/8th turn) the two M5 x 12 screws fixing the nut cup to the bed side plate (both sides)
Slightly loosen (1/8th turn) the two M5 x 12 screws fixing the top bearing block to the top side plate (both sides)
Check the eight v-groove wheels for the Z axis are touching the Makerslide railing but not too tight that you are unable to rotate the wheels by hand
Move print head to the rear of the machine
Instruct the printer to go home in the Z axis and ensure the Z limit switch bolt contacts the limit switch before the bed makes contact with the hot-end
Tighten the two M5 x 12 screws fixing the nut cup to the bed side plate (both sides)
Tighten the two M5 x 12 screws fixing the top bearing block to the top side plate (both sides)
Check the eight v-groove wheels for the Z axis are touching the Makerslide railing but not too tight that you are unable to rotate the wheels by hand
Apply plenty of grease to the Z axis threaded rods
Move the bed down and up one more time to ensure smooth operation

Setting the Z home position for the build plate

The correct Z home position will place the top surface of the build plate even with the hot-end tip. If the Z home position is too high the nozzle will be too close to the bed during the first layer. If the Z home position is too low the filament will not stick to the bed.

Calibrating the filament feed rate

Rough calibration
Fine calibration

Printing overhangs

There are two things that will help in printing overhangs without support material

  • Increasing the filament extrusion rate
  • Increasing the number of perimeters in the slicing parameters