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3d_printing_operation [2018/07/02 14:20]
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3d_printing_operation [2018/07/02 17:40] (current)
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| There are more out there popping up every day... | There are more out there popping up every day... |
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| | ====== Filament Storage ====== |
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| | Filament tends to be hydroscopic, meaning that it will absorb moisture from the air. As it does so, the filament will become brittle and difficult to print with. So filament is stored in a sealed container with desiccant beads spread across the bottom. |
| | |
| | * Return unused filament in the container and seal the lid. |
| | * When pulling a spool of filament out of the container, make sure it doesn't have any desiccant stuck to it. Give it a shake or two and run your fingers along the bottom of the spool to dislodge anything that's gotten stuck in there. |
| |
| ====== The Printing Software ====== | ====== The Printing Software ====== |
| * Click the drop-down list and select: Prusa Research i3 MK2 | * Click the drop-down list and select: Prusa Research i3 MK2 |
| * Click: CONNECT\\ If the connection is successful then the CONNECT button will change to "DISCONNECT"\\ \\ | * Click: CONNECT\\ If the connection is successful then the CONNECT button will change to "DISCONNECT"\\ \\ |
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| | ====== MatterControl Manual ====== |
| | |
| | A more comprehensive rundown of MC's functions can be found here: |
| | |
| | [[http://wiki.mattercontrol.com/Main_Page]] |
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| | I'll just give you a quick rundown of a basic printing process in the instructions below. |
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| ====== Loading A Model ====== | ====== Loading A Model ====== |
| - In the file browser window that appears, navigate to the directory where your model file is, select the file, and click: Open\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_09-44-53.png|}}\\ \\ | - In the file browser window that appears, navigate to the directory where your model file is, select the file, and click: Open\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_09-44-53.png|}}\\ \\ |
| - The model will appear in the print queue list on the left wide of the window, and a 3D rendering of the model will appear on the right.\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_09-50-27.png?800|}}\\ \\ | - The model will appear in the print queue list on the left wide of the window, and a 3D rendering of the model will appear on the right.\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_09-50-27.png?800|}}\\ \\ |
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| | The portion of the window listing the print queue also shows other controls. The queue is just one of the tabs listed along the top of this portion of the window. The other tab you will use often will be the "Settings & Controls" tab, from which you can modify |
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| ====== Preparing A Model For Print ====== | ====== Preparing A Model For Print ====== |
| The model rendering portion of the window on the right contains two tabs at the top, labeled "3D VIEW" and "LAYER VIEW". | The model rendering portion of the window on the right contains two tabs at the top, labeled "3D VIEW" and "LAYER VIEW". |
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| * When the "3D VIEW" tab is selected, there are a couple of controls at the bottom that allow you to modify the model:\\ \\ | * If you need to rotate or scale your model, then, under the "3D VIEW" tab, at the bottom of the window: |
| * **Insert:** -- This allows you to add an additional model to the build plate for this print job. Clicking on "Insert" will bring up another file browser window and prompt you to select your additional file(s). After inserting one or more files, the controls at the bottom of the window allow similar modifications as those allows on the "Edit" control (described below).\\ \\ | - Click: "Edit"\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_10-40-21.png|}} |
| * **Edit:** -- This allows you to perform certain modifications to the model(s) of this print job.\\ \\ | - Use the editing tools on the right of the window.\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_10-42-14.png|}} |
| * **Group** -- Combines all models currently displayed. Any further modifications performed will take place on all the models as a whole. | - When finished, click "Save" (or "Cancel")\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_10-43-21.png|}} |
| * **Ungroup** -- Separates unconnected models. Once ungrouped, the models can be selected and edited individually. | |
| * **Align** -- If your printer has multiple extruders -- which ours do not -- then the Align function is also used to merge two parts of a multi-material print together. Otherwise, for single-extruder printers, Align acts in a similar way to Arrange by lining up the models in a grid. | * If your model contains overhanging parts that might need support during print, here is how you turn on/off support generation: |
| * **Arrange** -- Centers all models in a grid pattern. | - Click: Settings & Controls\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_10-45-47.png|}} |
| * **Copy** -- Makes a copy of the currently selected model. | - Click the tab: Settings\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_10-47-30.png|}} |
| * **Remove** -- Removes the currently selected model. | - Under the Settings tab, click: General\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_10-48-42.png|}} |
| * **Cancel** -- Exits edit mode. The user is prompted to save any unsaved changes. | - Under General, click: Support Material\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_10-50-39.png|}} |
| * **Rotate** -- Allows you to rotate a selected model, or try to align it to sit flat on the buid plate. | - Check the box: Generate Support Material\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_10-52-10.png|}}\\ This will generate support for parts of the model that overhang above the build plate.\\ **NOTE:** This will not generate support for parts of the model that overhang other parts of the model. See "Support Everywhere" below.\\ **NOTE:** To return a setting to it's default value, click the gray circle with the white "x" off to the right: {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_10-54-24.png|}} |
| * **Scale** -- Change the size of the selected model. Additionally, a model may be scaled along the X, Y, or Z axis independently. | - If your model has parts that overhang other parts of the model -- i.e. there are parts of the model that separate the overhang from the build plate -- then you may need to turn on additional support.\\ Click the checkbox: Support Everywhere:\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_10-56-06.png|}} |
| * **Mirror** -- Flip the model along the X, Y, and/or Z axis. | |
| * **Display** -- Allows you to look at the model in various different ways. | * Click: LAYER VIEW, then click: Generate\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_10-59-42.png|}}\\ After generating a list of print instructions for the printer, MC will display some statistics along the right side of the window, including a rough estimate of the expected print time and amount of filament used.\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_11-03-08.png|}} |
| * **Export:** -- Some printers do not connect directly to MatterControl, but instead use an SD card. MatterControl can be used to prepare the print, save the resulting print instruction file (called a gcode file) to the SD card, and then the card can be inserted into the printer. This isn't a function that I'm going to show you how to use here though, so don't worry about it. | * By default, MC will only show you the first layer under the LAYER VIEW pane. Click: 3D\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_11-04-57.png|}} |
| * You can move models around on the build place with the left mouse button. | * Use the slider on the right of the layer view pane, or the layer selection controls at the bottom, to view the expected output of the generated print commands. This output will not only include the model itself, but also any support material printed as well. Print speeds are color-coded with a legend displayed in the upper right of the pane.\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_11-09-09.png|}} |
| * You can move the camera angle with the right mouse button. | |
| * You can zoom in and out with the mouse wheel. | **NOTE:** Any support material that you print will increase print time. Also, removing support material can be challenging, so think about the print instructions as displayed in the LAYER VIEW and consider whether or not rotating or scaling the model might help. |
| * You can pan the camera by holding down the mouse wheel.\\ \\ | |
| * When the "LAYER VIEW" tab is selected: | ====== Prepping The Printer ====== |
| | |
| | * Click: CONTROLS\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_11-12-04.png|}} |
| | * Click: PREHEAT\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_11-15-14.png|}} |
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| | ==== Removing Filament From The Printer ==== |
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| | * Wait for the printer to reach temperature |
| | * Click: Retract\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_11-17-29.png|}}\\ Gently pull up on the filament as it retracts. Continue clicking Retract until the filament comes loose from the extruder drive. |
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| | ==== Inserting Filament Into The Printer ==== |
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| | * Wait for the printer to reach temperature |
| | * Using a pair of scissors, cut the end of the filament at a 45 degree angle to make a point |
| | * Press on the tension release handle on the extruder drive to make it easier to insert the filament |
| | * While holding on the tension release handle, insert the filament into the print head. You will probably have to finagle it around a bit before it goes all the way in. But once inserted properly you should be able to push the filament through by hand and see a thin stream of it coming out of the bottom of the print head. |
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| | ==== Prepping The Build Plate ==== |
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| | * **Makerbot Replicator 2** -- The build plate is covered with painter's tape. Make sure that the tape is secure and free from tears. If the tape needs to be replaced then the build plate can be removed by pushing the plate back and lifting the front of the plate out of it's holding tabs. Replace any damaged tape, and then replace the build plate back into the machine. After replacing a strip of tape, use the alcohol and cotton swabs to rub down the new tape for a bit. This will remove some of the waxy surface of the tape and allow the filament to adhere better to the build plate. Use some glue stick as added insurance if necessary.\\ \\ |
| | * **PRUSA i3 MK2s** -- The PRUSA has been modified to use a glass build plate. Glue stick is used to create a tacky surface on the glass so that the first layer will stick well. If needed, smear on some more glue stick. |
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| | **NOTE:** Try not to touch the surface of the build plate with your hands. Handle the build plate by the edges only. Oils from your skin can interfere with the ability of the filament to adhere to the build plate, resulting in failed prints. |
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| | ====== Beginning Your Print ====== |
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| | * Click: Print |
| | * **Makerbot Replicator 2** -- No special requirements are needed to start a print on the Makerbot. |
| | * **PRUSA** -- The glass build plate on the PRUSA is an aftermarket modification. When MatterControl begins a print some special care must be taken: |
| | - MC will beep at you and display a pop-up window telling you that the printing process has been paused.\\ {{::screenshot_2018-07-02_12-01-19.png|}} |
| | - Remove the clips holding the glass build plate onto the bed, and then remove the glass plate. |
| | - Click: Resume\\ The printer will go through a self-leveling routing where the extruder head will use a probe on multiple points around the bed.\\ \\ **If the glass were still on the bed during this self-leveling process then the extruder head would crash into the glass, possibly damaging the printer and/or breaking the glass.** \\ \\ |
| | - Once the self-leveling process has completed and the printer has reached temperature, MC will beep at you a second time.\\ Place the glass back onto the bed and secure with the four clips. Make sure the clips and glass won't collide with anything as the build plate moves forward and backward. |
| | - Click: Resume\\ \\ |
| | * Watch as the first layer is printed. The first layer should look slightly smooshed as it's extruded onto the build plate. A poor first layer can have disastrous effects on the rest of the print, so if anything goes wrong then consider canceling the print, make some alterations if necessary, and restarting the print. |
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| | **NOTE: If anything goes horribly wrong during the printing process click "Cancel Print". If the printer is in danger of damaging itself then cycle the printer off and on again. This will interrupt the printing process immediately but still allow the printer to run it's fans to prevent part damage. Then see the IT manager for help.** |
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| | ====== Removing A Print ====== |
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| | Using the tools provided, carefully remove the model from the bed. For the Makerbot, try to avoid ripping the tape if possible. For the PRUSA, you may remove the clips and then remove the glass plate to make it easier to then remove the model from the glass. |
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| | ====== My Print Failed, This Sucks! ====== |
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| | {{::19672643310_bca7fe1ed6_k-1024x576.jpg?320|}} |
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| | 3D printing can be a challenge. Especially if you're new and/or your printer isn't finely tuned just right (and chances are our printers are not tuned just right). Feel free to consult with the IT manager for assistance at any point along your printing journey! |
