Month: July 2017

Lessons Learned Over One Year With My First 3D Printer

Lessons Learned Over One Year With My First 3D PrinterTL;DR. OP is explaining lessons learned over the past year after buying his first 3D printer. There is no magic bullet to getting the printer to cooperate; just learn to have fun.Last year, I bought my first 3D printer, a HICTOP 3DP-11 kit. This printer is similar in design to the popular Prussia i3 dual Z stepper design. I bought it as a kit on purpose because I figured that was the best way to learn the technology from what I had heard. Within two weeks I purchased a auto leveling sensor. Both items were purchased through Amazon. Assembly time was about 20 hours and did involve a number of missteps along the way on my part not completely understanding the instructions. I used a combination of the manufacturers instructions (written and videos on their CD) and other people’s videos I found on YouTube.Why did I buy this particular model printer? I had a strict budget capped at $400 USD, I wanted something that looked like it would last (this model uses 2020 aluminum slot bars), and looked somewhat similar to some printers I had seen. So in spite of some negative comments on the boards, I purchased it. The extra sensor caused me to have to go back to the manufacturer to get a software update. I found the response to my request quick and cordial. I did detect a little bit of a language barrier (for example, the videos were silent) but I was used to getting electronic hobby parts from China with no instructions at all. So here are, in no particular order, my Lessons Learned:Above all, be patient – don’t look for instant gratification in this hobby; remember you are learningYOU WILL HAVE FAILED PRINTS!!! This is part of learning. If you want perfection each and every time, go find another hobby. Keep a trash receptacle within arms length of the printer.Don’t be afraid of long prints. After you get to the point that your printer is starting to behave, venture out with larger prints. My longest has been 12 and a half hours; turned out darn near perfect – the next print (without any changes to the settings) went all cattywumpus on me.For the most part, the printer is not going to burn your house down. The temperatures are pretty high (210 deg C/410 deg F extruder, 50 deg C/122 deg F bed on average) but are within the temperatures of a hair dryer. In fact, my printer is mounted on a wooden toolbench.Take the time to read articles on making better prints, especially those on getting the first layer right and effects of nozzle to bed distances.Learn the mechanics of the printer. If you have a layer shift I guarantee you have something slipping. Figure out what it was and correct it; check back periodically for loose screws.You do not have to challenge yourself to get the fastest print possible; that’s asking for trouble. I anchored my printer down at first with wood clamps until I realized I needed to lower the default XY Jerk value from 20 to 8. Did the print take longer? Yes, but I ended up with fewer print failures due to mechanical slippage.Learn what all of the modifiable parameters are on your printer. Experiment, and learn their effects. Learn some things about gcode and how to use it.Invest in a decent cutter software package (i.e., spend some money). Cura is great starting out because it’s cheap, but it doesn’t have fine control like Simplify3D does.Invest in some tools. Like a decent set of Allen wrenches (type with the balls on the end to get at a screw at an angle), needle nose pliers, print removal palates, X-Acto knife, calipers (mines digital), digital thermometer (comes in handy checking for under and over heating problems), etc.Make extra parts for your printer in case of failure.Make parts for your printer to make it better. Minimal is getting the wires under wrap and away from mechanical damage, enclosing electrical components, etc.Stay with your printer to make sure it is going to print correctly each time you print. Once you get the first layer done you can come back. Also, come back periodically to check on things.Every roll of filament, unless it is the same manufacturer type and color, will react differently. When you have success write down what you did – temperatures will vary to get the best print, even between different colors. This is especially true with different plastics.Do not buy cheap filament. A few clogs and you will know why I say this. I will gladly spend an extra $10 a roll to get something that works almost all of the time (I like HatchBox).Buy extra extruder parts like nozzles, threaded inserts, and temperature sensors. Got a clog? You will pretty much have to replace the extruder parts.When you encounter a problem and have a solution, be willing to share on the boards with someone who is having the same issue.Keep some of your print failures to remind you that you don’t know everything.You will put gouges in the bed trying to remove stuck parts until you get the right combination of temperatures and adhesion surfaces.Always level the bed and check for proper nozzle to bed distances. An adjustable auto leveling sensor works wonders.You will find those with a lot of interest in your hobby (my engineering colleagues) and those with no interest at all (like my wife). Discuss your hobby accordingly.Do make things for your workspace that make work easier.Mind any warnings you find on different plastics. Abs needs to be ventilated, pla does not.Watch stress on the printer parts, especially after printing for long periods. Electronic parts especially can overheat.Calibrate occasionally.Have fun, it’s just a hobby.Extras – 1. OctoPi including camera – good to keep an eye on things printing and to stop the print if it is really bad. 2. Out of filament sensor 3. Enclosures with exhaust ports leading outsideThis was written for others just entering the hobby to get an idea of what to expect.Update: two additional items.Make sure to learn a CAD package (I use Openscad) as you have time. For one thing it is beneficial to be able to modify a model, merge models, and make an entirely new model out of pieces of others. A lot of the time you will find that printing the model of an item doesn’t quite fit what you need.Keep a notebook of what you have accomplished and what you have learned. http://ift.tt/2sDgEI2