3D Printing

Callum and I picked up a CREALITY Ender3 3D printer this week and we're trying some things out. Starting this page to track a few things. Big thanks to @Toyotaboy for giving some up front advice. I'll mark his advice with a {TB}.

This page will\may change drastically over time as I figure things out.

Assembly

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me8Qrwh907Q
  • The most helpful video we watched. After Step 5 of the visual directions, we went to YouTube
• When you build, make SURE that the z-axis is as perpendicular as possible to the bed (bed should be lowered all the way on all 4 knobs). Use something square and rigid to look at the gaps, then tighten down the frame screws {TB}
  • This comes out in the video, as well as how to use one of the crossbars to check evenness.

Levelling

• Print Test Squares
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eqTmb01cBk
• Bed Leveling Basic - Nerys
• Level Check Code

Notes

• Don't use the stock buildtak surface. Your first couple prints will stick well, then they will be hard to remove and you'll scrape the surface trying to get them off. Use PEI sheet. it's durable and sticks well. If it stops sticking, sand lightly with 600 grit sandpaper and wipe down with isopropyl alcohol. Get this one with adhesive already applied: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GSJSDWR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 {TB}

Helpful Mods

• Vent Ring 2 {TB}
• Board fan guard {TB}
• Cable Clips
• Cable Chain
• Filament Guide

Filament (PLA)

3d Solutech

• White: Re-ordered
• Amazon 3D Solutech Search

ANET

• White: good, no issues
• Gray: became brittle on the spool and broke, losing about 300g of PLA

To Do

1. Get the spool holder off the machine
   • Amazon sells cheap ones that work well. You want the weight off the machine because as motors move around, extra weight will make printing offset, then you get little artifacts because the slicer doesn't calculate weight. It assumes a rigid machine
2. IKEA Lack table
   • Need to price out plexiglass, LED lighting, smoke detector, decide on power placement

Upgrades

• See Ender 3 Firmware Update
• Bed Level locks (Originally by jimb15122 but now 404)
• Metal Levelling Wheels & Springs
• Dual Gear extruder
• Capricorn Bowden Tube

Misc

• Makers Muse YouTube Channel
  • 101 Playlist
    • Nozzle Height and Level your Bed
    • What is Layer Height and Nozzle Diameter?
    • Best ways to orient your print
    • What is infill?
    • How to slice
    • Print Faster Infill Changing via multiple processes using Simplify3d
      • Can we do this with another program?
    • Print Orientation

• https://www.youtube.com/user/ThomasSanladerer

Snap Fit Joints

• http://fab.cba.mit.edu/classes/S62.12/people/vernelle.noel/Plastic_Snap_fit_design.pdf

Software

• Fusion 360 (free)
• Blender
• Cura (Slicer)
• TinkerCad
• NetFabb (simple Slicer)
• Craftware (Slicer)
• MeshMixer