3D Printer Operation Guide for Maker Space
The 3D printer in Maker Space 408 is the Creality Ender-3s entry-level printer, with the following basic attributes:
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The extrusion method is remote extrusion. |
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Equipped with a heated bed, the platform can be heated. |
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Manual leveling is adjustable. |
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The platform has a flexible and easy-to-remove surface panel for quick material removal. |
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The printer operates with a knob press method. |
Preparation
1. Convert the model you wish to print into an STL format file and save it to a USB drive.
2. Read relevant operating procedures and precautions to understand the parameters related to model printing.
3D Printer Operating Procedure and Precautions
Plug in the power cable and turn on the side switch of the printer.
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After waiting for the printer to start, press the knob to enter the operation menu, find the “Prepare” option, and press again to enter the secondary menu, then select “Auto Home”. The printer will automatically return to the initial home position.
In the secondary menu under the “Prepare” option, find the “Disable Stepper Motors” option and press the knob to confirm. The stepper motors will no longer be locked.
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There are four disc leveling knobs under the printing platform to adjust the height of the platform, located near the corners. Move the print head directly above each knob in turn and rotate the corresponding leveling knob to raise or lower the height of that corner until the distance between the print head and the platform is about the thickness of an A4 sheet. Repeat the same adjustment at all four leveling knobs to ensure leveling accuracy.
Transfer the STL format model file to the nearby computer, find and open the slicing software from Creality, then drag the imported model file into the software for slicing (specific operation details are in the later sections). After slicing, remove the TF card from the front left of the printer and use a TF to USB converter to insert it into the computer. Then click the save function button on the top left of the software interface to save the sliced file to the TF card, making sure to set the filename in English.
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Remove the TF card and converter, insert the TF card into the corresponding position in the printer, and securely place the converter. Select the sliced file (xxxx.gcode) that you just saved on the printer to start printing. Wait for the machine to heat to the temperature set during slicing, and the machine will begin to operate and print.
Please do not leave before the printing starts; monitor the first layer of printing. Based on the first layer’s condition, further adjust the surrounding leveling knobs (especially when printing larger items) until the filament appears flat on the platform and the color of the filament is still visible. If the filament on the platform is cylindrical or close to cylindrical, the platform is too low, causing the print head to be too far, leading to unstable material adhesion and potential print failure; if the filament on the platform has almost no thickness and is nearly the same color as the platform itself, the platform is too high, causing the print head to be too close, which may damage the flexible and easy-to-remove print platform. After adjustments are complete, wait for the machine to print a few more layers to further confirm the bottom layer printing effect. If there are no issues, you may leave depending on the situation (for short items) or check periodically (for long items).
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If any issues arise during printing (such as material jams, instability in axes, lost steps in the timing belt, inability to heat, etc.), please promptly contact the space instructor or association.
Creality Slicing Software Usage
No.1
Basic Information
The Creality 3D printing slicing software is primarily used for processing and converting model files to generate files that can be accepted by the printer. It mainly accepts STL and other format files, and after settings and automatic slicing processing, outputs .gcode motor operation files for the printer to read and operate. Creality’s 3D printing slicing software is essentially a variant of the commonly used slicing software Cura, with a similar interface and basic operations, but some parameter settings may have slight differences in translation.
It is recommended to conduct some learning before use.
No.2
Usage Guide
1
Drag the STL model file, and the model preview will display on the simulated platform in the software interface. You can adjust the model using the operation function area buttons in the lower left corner, such as rotating and scaling. You can click and drag the model with the left mouse button. Hold the right mouse button and drag to rotate the view, and use the scroll wheel to zoom in and out of the preview.
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After adjusting the model, check the temperature, filament diameter, and nozzle diameter parameters in the parameter area on the left. For temperature, PLA material is generally set around 210°, while ABS material is generally set around 230°. Refer to the side label of the filament roll for material types. For filament diameter, also refer to the side label, usually 1.75mm, with 2mm diameter filament available in the space; please check before use. The nozzle diameter for this printer is 0.4mm.
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Also set the model printing parameters in the parameter area on the left. First, understand the basic parameters such as fill density, wall thickness, and layer height. For filling, ordinary printed items can be set at 20% to 30%, while special requirement printed items can adjust the fill rate as needed. The wall thickness can generally be set between 0.8mm and 1.6mm, noting that wall thickness must be an integer multiple of the nozzle diameter, which for this machine is 0.4, meaning you can generally set it at 0.8, 1.2, or 1.6, as higher values are unnecessary and waste filament. For layer height, generally set it at 0.2mm; 0.1mm will be more detailed but take too long, so use 0.2mm layer height unless there are special requirements.
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For print speed, experienced users can adjust it themselves but should remember to revert it back; inexperienced users can directly check whether all settings are between 20mm/s and 60mm/s in the parameter bar, as deviations may indicate previous adjustments. However, it is still recommended to conduct some learning before adjusting.
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Note that some models require the addition of supports; please add supports based on your model’s situation, or you may waste material. Specific learning on adding supports in 3D printing is recommended.
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After modifying parameters, a progress bar will automatically appear under the function button on the top left of the software interface, indicating that slicing is automatically running again. After checking or modifying all parameters, wait for the progress bar to complete, and estimated time and filament usage will appear. Once all parameters are confirmed and the automatic slicing is complete, you can proceed to export and save the file. First, connect the computer and TF card, then find the save button in the function area on the top left of the graphical interface (if it shows direct print/run, right-click and select save from the menu; if it directly shows save to SD card after connecting the TF card, just click it; if not, click and select TF card to save).
Text: Li Yunhan
Layout: Ye Zhihu