Difference between revisions of "Getting a good print"

Revision as of 20:36, 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

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

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