Newbie Things I've learned
Posted: February 9th, 2017, 3:55 pm
I'm new to 3D printing. I got my Hictop Prusa I3 for Christmas. It took me a day to assemble and a couple of days of false starts and stops to get printing. I thought I would offer some advise for other newbies
1 - READ READ READ
2 - I use Cura 2.3 to print and Slic3r to cut models up. It is VERY important to get the setting right when setting up these programs. Cura also tells you by weight about how much material you need to print a model. This cuts out guess work. Weight your spools when you get them and keep track of the weight.
3 - Slower is better. I used the default setting for PLA when I started and kept getting heating failures. I friend at work who runs a couple CNC machines in the shop told me I was printing to fast. The tiny print head could not keep up with the cold material coming in. My default Temperature for PLA is set to 220, the Bed is set to 60 and the print speed is 20. If the part is small, less that 1 inch, I slow the print speed down to 10
4 - Rafts and structures are a must for models that don't have flat surfaces touching the bed or have large over hangs.
5 - Check the websites for a model before you try and build one form scratch. Thingiverse has been an overload of models for me and my wife.
6 - Use an SD card and put the printer in another room! The fans are incredibly noisy. PLA does not smell bad, but ABS stinks!
7 - I use PLA, its inexpensive, doesn't need to be in a heated box and for what I am making is just as strong as ABS.
8 - Print at 20% fill. It will use less material and makes the model stronger.
That's all for now hope this helps someone else.
1 - READ READ READ
2 - I use Cura 2.3 to print and Slic3r to cut models up. It is VERY important to get the setting right when setting up these programs. Cura also tells you by weight about how much material you need to print a model. This cuts out guess work. Weight your spools when you get them and keep track of the weight.
3 - Slower is better. I used the default setting for PLA when I started and kept getting heating failures. I friend at work who runs a couple CNC machines in the shop told me I was printing to fast. The tiny print head could not keep up with the cold material coming in. My default Temperature for PLA is set to 220, the Bed is set to 60 and the print speed is 20. If the part is small, less that 1 inch, I slow the print speed down to 10
4 - Rafts and structures are a must for models that don't have flat surfaces touching the bed or have large over hangs.
5 - Check the websites for a model before you try and build one form scratch. Thingiverse has been an overload of models for me and my wife.
6 - Use an SD card and put the printer in another room! The fans are incredibly noisy. PLA does not smell bad, but ABS stinks!
7 - I use PLA, its inexpensive, doesn't need to be in a heated box and for what I am making is just as strong as ABS.
8 - Print at 20% fill. It will use less material and makes the model stronger.
That's all for now hope this helps someone else.