3D Printing Guide, Part 3: Printing Overview and Troubleshooting
This is the third in a series of guides to introduce the steps involved in 3d printing. This guide covers the actual printing process. For the second guide on preparing an STL or OBJ file for printing using Cura, click here. For the first guide on generating those files, click here.
Printer Interface
The power switch for the printer is on the right side, where the plug connects from the wall.
The user interface for the printer is on the front right. It consists of a small screen and knob.
Loading and Unloading Filament
Most of the time, the printer will already have filament loaded. In case you ever need to know how to load or unload filament, first preheat the extruder by navigating to “Prepare” and “Preheat PLA.”
Then, on top of the nozzle assembly, squeeze the lever pictured below and slowly pull (or push, to load) the filament out of (or into) the printer.
If you’re loading filament, push until it starts to extrude from the nozzle, as pictured in the above right image.
Build Plate Adhesion
When you begin printing (or when you preheat the printer), the build plate will warm up to help the print stick to the plate (a raft, discussed in the previous guide, also helps with this). But sometimes there are still problems with adhesion.
Bed Leveling
The most likely culprit is an unlevel build plate. This can be resolved by “bed leveling.” To do this, use the “Auto Home” command in the “Movement” menu, which will send the nozzle to the front left corner of the build plate. Then use the “Disable Steppers” command in the “Movement” menu, which will disengage the servo motors controlling the nozzle position and allow it to be moved manually. Find a regular sheet of printer paper and slide it under the nozzle. You should be able to slide it under, but the nozzle should rub against it and create resistance. If the nozzle is too low or too high, use the large knob under the build plate to adjust the height of that corner of the build plate until the sheet of paper just barely makes it under the nozzle. Move the nozzle to each other corner of the build plate (you’ll have to move the build plate itself to get to the back corners) and repeat the process.
Build Plate Temperature
You can also try increasing the temperature of the build plate to 70 degrees (Celcius). You can do this in Cura, under “Custom” settings and the “Material” dropdown.
Glue Stick
If your print is still not adhering, try applying a small amount of glue from a glue stick (there’s one in the cabinet above the printer) in the center of the build plate (or wherever your print will begin). This can help make sure the print starts off well.
Preheating
The initial warming-up period can take a little while, so it can be helpful to preheat the printer (this is the same step noted above for loading or unloading filament).
Printing!
The actual printing process is fairly simple. Load your Micro SD card into the reader on the front left of the printer, then navigate to “Init. TF card” and find your GCODE file. You might need to “Refresh” for it to show up.
If you encounter errors during the printing process, you can cancel your print from the printer interface.
Problems?
If you have problems you don’t know how to resolve, let us know or post a comment below. 3d printing involves a lot of trial and error, so don’t get discouraged if things don’t turn out perfectly the first time!
