3D Printing
- Cleaning 3D Printed models (Filament)
- MakerBot: 3D Printing
- Phrozen Sonic Mega: Resin 3D Printer
- Bambu Carbon: 3D Printer
- MarkForged Onyx Pro
- Prusa MK4S
Cleaning 3D Printed models (Filament)
Carefully remove models and support filament from the print plate. You can use a scraper to slowly remove the support parts or to simply use as leverage. Scrappers are available beside the printer or on the Makerspace tool bench. Be careful in doing so, as being to rough can mean breaking the model. Personal protective equipment is suggested, as plastic shrapnel can tend to snap off at unexpected angles, and can be quite sharp or harmful, especially if it strikes such areas as the eye.
Be sure to also clean your area once finished. All scrap and spare plastic debris should be disposed of properly in a trash bin.
MakerBot: 3D Printing
Makerbot: 3D Printing
Needed Materials :
- A file of what you would like to print. (Preferably an STL file.)
- A USB storage device. (Preferably formatted to FAT32)
- A lot of time.
- Access to our Makerbot Cloud Print service (see a SCiL staff member)
Get the Model:
Specifically, to begin the process, you should attempt to get an STL file. Other forms of 3D model files may work, but an STL works best. You should also try to make sure the model itself is set to the correct sizes. The easiest way to do this or transfer from OBJ or another file type to STL is to open your ile in a 3D modeling software, such as Blender or Maya, confirm its size and details, then to export it as an STL from there. Once you have the correct file type and you have opened Makerbot Cloud Print and determined it's functional, you are free to proceed. Do not worry about model size yet, as Makerbot has a scaling feature, but you do need to be sure proportions and details are correct.
File Preparation:
This section below is now outdated and must be rewritten! We now use Makerbot Cloud Print and below uses the Makerbot software that is deprecated.
To prepare the file in Makerbot, once you are signed in, simply click the icon that looks like a folder in the upper left corner. Then hit the plus icon and import your STL or other model file. Once the model is loaded, click on the icon on the left that appears to be a box inside a box. This is the scaling option, and allows you to make your object the correct size. Then, going through the options will allow you to orient the print, arrange the print plate, and prepare the print. Once you have everything placed then choose the appropriate options in the settings, such as if it should have supports or not.
Once you have all the seeing in order, click on the icon that looks like a clock with a play icon to prepare the print. After that, export the makerbot file with the export button and save your work. To do so, you may need to select the kind of printer to be used if you haven’t already. The SCIL labs model of printer is a Replicator+, and you’ll need to select it as an offline or manual option. Finally, transfer the makerbot file, not the print file, to your USB storage device, and you are ready to use the 3D printer.
Printer Operation:
Follow these instructions as closely as possible, and do not mess with other settings. Although improving the extruder speed or messing with the fan may sound like a way to speed up the process, it will more than likely result in your print turning into a blob or warping horribly. If you follow these instructions and have issues, or wish to alter something such as the color of your print, please find someone trained with the printer to help you.
- Clear the plate.
- There may be debris or plastic from previous prints left on the printing plate. It is recommended before printing to make sure this plate is clear.
- Turn on the printer.
- The power button is located on the back left of the printer. If there are no lights on at all, find and press this button. If there are lights on but the screen is not on, just click the knob to bring it out of sleep mode. Be patient, the printer may be slow starting up or coming out of sleep mode. Once the screen is on, proceed.
- Plug in the USB Storage.
- The slot is located to the right of the selection knob. Make sure the drive is plugged in and wait a moment before proceeding to give the printer a moment to register it was plugged in.
- Select Print.
- It should be the upper-left most icon.
- Select from USB storage.
- It should be the first of the two options.
- Be patient, it takes the printer a moment here to retrieve the files from your storage. Proceed when the screen changes.
- Select your print.
- Navigate to your print through your files and select the file you would like to print. This should give you a preview of your print and a time estimate.
- Select print.
- Select the print option and the machine will automatically calibrate itself and begin printing.
- Wait.
- It is not uncommon for prints to take longer than an hour to print. Please be patient or find something else to occupy your time.
Clean-up:
Once you have printed your file, you may need to clean it up some. The “Raft” and supports on your print can be removed by hand, though tools are available. You may use the maker space in order to fully clean up your project. I would recommend using files as needed and many prefer to use the exacto knives and other tools present as well. You may need to find an SCIL member or have access to the SCIL key in order to access many of the tools. Be careful when cleaning up your model, the plastic can be brittle and break easily if you handle your model roughly, especially if it has thinner parts. Once you are finished, please remember to clean up the area before you leave. Thank you.
Special Notes/Advice:
- Currently there is an issue with larger prints warping. It is recommended to keep your prints width and depth to approximately 5 cm or lower. Vertical or height has no effect on the warping and you are free to print tall as long as it is within the height limit.
- The variance of the plastic is about 1 mm. Keep this in mind when making your print, as this means any part may shift up to a mm or the model overall may shrink a mm once you have finished printing.
- For those looking to reduce the amount of time on a print, or to reduce the amount of support bridging on a print, you can safely lower support density to 5% in the settings, and raise the support angle to 80%, to do so.
- Any part that hangs about half a cm or more from the main print likely requires support.
- It is recommended when preparing the print to set the widest and flattest part of the print on the bottom. The printer tends to dislike “legs” and things standing on them.
- If your print will take more than 4 hours, it is recommended to have it print overnight as a courtesy to others. If a print will take more than 16 hours, it is then recommended to print it over the weekend instead.
- Remember, the plastic shrinks when cooled. This size difference can range from .2 mm to .8 mm, so keep that in mind when designing parts.
Troubleshooting:
-If your USB storage device cannot be recognized, then it may be formatted in a way the printer cannot read. Try getting a new drive or reformatting yours. FAT32 seems to be the smoothest functioning storage format.
Makerbot: Changing the Filament
When the Filament has run out, or if you would prefer to print in a different color, you need to change the Filament reel. Here is how.
1. Remove the Old Reel:
The first step to removing the old reel is to make sure the 3D printer is turned on.
Then, using the release button, lift the section containing the reel. It should be located at the back of it, and is easiest and most safely reached from above the machine, not through the printing area. You may need to push and hold the button or small lever next to the handle in order to lift it properly. Make sure when it's lifted fully it locks in place and will not fall back down before releasing it.
After that, using the menu on the machine, choose the options for the filament and choose the option to unload the filament.
Once the machine has finished disconnecting the filament from the extruder, slowly rotate the reel clockwise to remove the filament still in the machine and wind up the reel.
The peg the reel is on should have two small nubs keeping the reel on it. Pinch these nubs and slide the Reel off the peg.
Store the remaining filament in a bag in an appropriate location.
Adding the New Filament:
First, now that the peg is clear and while the filament section is still in the open position, select or acquire a new reel of filament.
Locate the free end of the filament, and then put the new reel onto the peg in such a way that the reel rotating counter clockwise will feed it into the extruder. There should be a small click as the nubs from earlier move in place to keep the reel attached.
Now, make sure the hose that the filament will travel through is plugged into the top of the extruder.
Then, slowly feed the free end of the filament into the filament slot until you feel some level of resistance. This slot on our extruder is outlined in red or has a red 'mouth' for the intake. You should be able to see the filament going through the tube and into the extruder before feeling the resistance that stops it.
Next, using the printers menu options, go into the filament options and select load filament. If the device does not automatically begin feeding filament into the extruder, then gently feed the filament into the mouth or intake until it does so.
When the filament begins to come out of the extruder, you may stop the loading procedure.
Then carefully lower the filament section back into it's normal, closed position.
Clean the printing plate and you are ready to print again.
Troubleshooting:
Below are troubleshooting tips in no particular order.
If you are having trouble feeding the new filament, check the end of it that would be going into the extruder. It may have melted, deformed, or simply just be slightly off. Trimming the end and possibly cutting it or trimming it at an angle so that is has a point feeding into the extruder has been known to fix the issue and help feed the new filament into the extruder.
Phrozen Sonic Mega: Resin 3D Printer
Phrozen Sonic :Resin 3D Printer clean up
Resin Printer Cleanup Procedures
IMPORTANT: Do not print with resin until you have been trained on this equipment.
WARNING! Uncured resin is harmful! Uncured resin should not be thrown away or sent down any drain.
WARNING! You must always wear gloves, a mask, and eye protection when working with uncured resin.
After finishing a print, whether successful or unsuccessful, the resin 3D printer and tools must be properly cleaned. All waste materials must be safely and properly saved or discarded.
Waste materials may include
- Failed prints
- Printed Support Structures
- Resin-soaked paper towels
- Water with resin in it
Step 1: Cleaning the Print
First, you should remove the 3D print (whether successful or not) from the printer base plate. Some prints may be challenging to remove. Do not force the print off the plate. You should work carefully and slowly, to avoid damage to the base plate or the print.
Hot water can be used to soften the printed resin and make the print easier to remove, but this water should not go down the drain. If a print sticks excessively to the plate, you may need to adjust your print settings.
It is always preferrable to damage your print rather than damaging the printer base plate.
Once the print is removed from the base plate, it will require additional clean-up to ensure quality. You should remove all supports using hand tools. Then either:
- Use the cleaning station (preferred) to automatically clean the print and collect uncured resin. Cleaning water/alcohol can remain in the cleaning station for multiple prints before being properly disposed of.
- Hand-clean the print using the provided "toothbrush" tool. Use water for water-based resin or alcohol for alcohol-based resin. You must hand clean the print in a separate basin (not the sink) so that uncured resin does not go down the drain.
Step 2: Cure the Print
You must now cure your print. Resin cures under ultraviolet (UV) light. Use the Phrozen Cure Mega UV curing station to cure your print. After thorough cleaning, the print may be placed on the turntable. Set a curing time and let the curing station run to completion.
WARNING! Do not open the curing station door while the UV light is operating.
Step 3: Clean Up
While your print is curing, you should begin the cleanup process. You must thoroughly and carefully clean the following:
- The printer build plate
- The printer itself (anywhere resin has dripped or spilled)
- Tools such as the cleaning "toothbrush," scrapers, etc.
- The workspace
Wearing gloves, mask, and eye protection, use paper towels to wipe uncured resin from all of the above. Set aside all paper towels for final cleanup.
NOTE: You do not need to clean the resin reservoir after every print. Uncured resin can remain in the reservoir for long periods.
You should clean the resin reservoir only if:
- Your print has failed and left debris in the reservoir
- If you intend to print with a new color or type of resin, and mixing colors would be unacceptable
- If the uncured resin has been sitting for too long in the reservoir and is likely to cause print failure.
WARNING! Do not rinse items in water until they are thoroughly wiped clean of resin.
WARNING! Do not throw away paper towels that are saturated with uncured resin.
Once you have thoroughly wiped away all uncured resin, such that there is virtually no resin left on these objects, you may rinse the tools and printer components (if needed) in running water.
Replace the build plate. Remember to tighten the hold down screws. Properly store all tools.
If you hand-cleaned the print, you will have some amount of water or alcohol with uncured resin in it. This basin of water can be saved for use on future prints. If it must be disposed of, cure the water and filter it as in step 5 below.
Step 4: Curing Waste Resin
To complete the clean-up process, you must cure all waste resin, including support resin and all resin-saturated paper towels from clean up. Continue to wear protective equipment while doing this.
Take all resin-saturated paper towels, uncured supports, failed prints, and other items with uncured resin on them and place them in the UV curing station. Make sure they are spread out enough that all objects will receive enough UV light on all sides. You may need to cure these items in batches, depending on how much curing is needed.
Run these items through the UV curing process as you would a finished print. Don't forget to remove your finished print first!
Remember, even a failed print must be cured before it is discarded.
Remember to cure your gloves as well!
Once all waste materials have been cured, they are safe to dispose of in the trash. Take a final look around the workspace to ensure that all uncured resin has been taken care of, the area is clean and tidy, and the printer is cleaned and reset to operational configuration.
Step 5: Refreshing the Cleaning Station Wastewater
NOTE! It is not necessary to discard cleaning station wastewater/alcohol after each print. This material can be re-used.
WARNING! Cleaning water/alcohol may have uncured resin in it. Always wear gloves and other protective equipment.
Periodically, it may become necessary to filter or dispose of the cleaning station water/alcohol when it becomes too saturated with uncured resin to be useful.
To accomplish this:
- Use the cleaning station spigot to drain cleaning water into one of the transparent curing flasks provided for this task.
- Taking care not to spill or drip the contaminated cleaning water, place the curing flask into the curing station.
- Run the curing flask through a curing cycle to cure any resin saturated into the water.
- Repeat this process until the curing station is almost empty.
- Pour the last remaining water (likely the most contaminated water) into a final flask and cure as above.
The cleaning container may now be wiped clean.
Remember, the paper towels used to wipe the cleaning station should also be cured as in step 4 above.
Using provided filters, the cured cleaning water can be poured back into the cleaning station for re-use.
The used filters may be discarded into the trash.
Infrequently, the cleaning water may be so dirty that it cannot be reused. In this event, SCiL staff will use a curing and evaporation process to safely dispose of it.
Helpful Guidance
The following video, by Edward Peak, provides helpful guidance for resin printing:
Resin Printing: CHITUBOX
Step 1: Obtaining and the model to print
First, you will need to make sure the file you would like to print is a .stl file. The slicer program only accepts .stl files, so something like .obj will not work.
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To export a model as an stl file in Maya, first, go to Windows→Settings/Preferences→Plug-in Manager, then in the search bar, type in “stl”, and check the load and auto load boxes for the result titled “stlTranslator.mll”, then hit refresh, and close that window. Then, go to File, and instead of hitting export selection, click the box next to it. Under “General Options”, there is a drop down menu labeled “File type:”. Look for the “STLExport” option, then save and close that window. You can now export files from Maya in an stl format. Just make sure that when you do go to export the model(s), that you change the “Files of type:”drop down and select STLExport.
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If you used blender to make the model, you can export as an stl without additional setup.
Then, you will want to make sure you are using a computer with the slicer software CHITUBOX installed. These computers are located in the Makerspace.
Step 2: Setting up the model to print
When you open CHITUBOX, you may need to log in. The login info for that is:
Email: scil-devices@su.edu
Password: scil1234
After signing in, you will be directed to the home screen. In the main screen there will be two buttons at the top of the window, one labeled “New Project” and one labeled “Open File”. “Open File” will add any file(s) you select to the current project, which may or may not already have models in it. “New Project” is best if you want to just print a specific model or models.
If you select “New Project”, you will still need to import the model(s) you wish to print. On the left hand side of the screen, there is a tab that has the project settings/information. Near the bottom of this tab, there is a section labeled “Object(0)”. Click the button that has a cube with a plus icon on it, which will say “Add File” when hovered over. When clicked, it will bring up a file explorer window, then select the file(s) you wish to add.
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Click Left mouse button: selects model(s) in the scene(select multiple models at once by dragging or holding shift when clicking specific models
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Hold Right mouse button: pans camera around the scene
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Hold Middle mouse button(down on scroll wheel): moves camera side to side/up and down
From here, on the represented build plate, you can orient, change the size/scale, hollow, drill, duplicate, and mirror the model(s). You cannot add platform, split, cut, boolean, and the model(s) without paying for the upgraded version, which you will not do.
Don’t use anything that has either of these two icons on them(they require the paid version)
Step 3: Adding Support Structure to the Model
Once you have your model(s) positioned and scaled to how you want them, you can start adding supports. To do this, start by clicking on the Supports button at the top of the window. This will change the options at the top of the scene window to Edit Support, Manual Support, Batch Support, Auto Support, Magic Support, Mirror Support, Raft, Overhang Detection, Cross Bracing, and Merge Supports. You will only be able to use the Edit Support, Manual Support, Auto Support, Raft and Overhang Detection functions
When in the support editing mode, there will be some red areas on the underside(s) of the model. This is showing where support structure is recommended in order to print the model successfully. The best way to add supports to the model is by clicking the Auto Support button, and then giving details to the slicer in the menu on the right side of the screen. The light and Middle support options can have a difficult time holding onto the model while printing, most commonly, the print will fall off the support structure part-way through the print, or the print will cure to the film at the bottom of the reservoir, and the supports will not be strong enough to hold onto the model and pull it back up. More often than not, you will want to use the Heavy support option. This option provides the strongest connection to the model, which will mitigate problems while printing.
Under the Support Type tab, you can refine how you want the supports to generate, whether you want to change the shape/style of support, as well as change details about individual parts of the support structure.
You will want to stick with Adaptive Support, and to not mess with the settings, however there may be instances where you need to change the settings based on the model you are printing. You can also manually add supports to the automatically generated supports, in case there is something specific that you think needs more supports. The other Support Type options are not available for us to use.
Next, you will want to give the supports a raft. While still in the Supports menu, at the top of the window on the right side, hit the Raft button. From current testing, leaving the raft type as “None” and the Model Lift Height setting kept at 5mm seems to work the best.
Step 4: Slicing the Model
Once you have added supports to the model(s), you are ready to slice the model. To do this, start by clicking the Slice button at the top right of the window. Don’t change either of the two settings that come up on the right side of the window.
After clicking the Slice button, there will be a tab on the left side of the window that shows the costs of the print. These costs include but are not limited to Volume, Weight, and Time. The volume refers to the amount of resin(in milliliters) that the print will use, the weight refers to the mass(in grams) of the print, and the time refers to how long(in hours and minutes) the print will take to complete. You will still need to save the file to print, which can be done by clicking on the grey Save button near the top middle of the window, then clicking the blue Save button on the right side of the window.
If you instead click the Slice and Save button, you will be able to save the file for printing first, and then show you the same things as mentioned above.
Regardless of which option you choose, you will need to save the .ctb file, which is the only file type that the resin printer accepts. You can save the file onto the orange thumb drive labeled RESIN PRINTER, which should be either in or next to the resin printer. Then, once the desired file is on the thumb drive, you can put it into the printer’s front facing USB port.
Step 5: Printing the Model
Finally, to start the print, make sure that the printer’s reservoir has enough resin for the print, and then on the screen at the base of the printer, click on the 3D Print button, and then select the file you wish to print, then hit the GO button. The printer will then run for the amount of time previously stated in CHITUBOX(as well as on the lcd screen on the printer once the print is started), and after that amount of time has elapsed, the print will be done and need to be washed and cured.
WARNING! You must wear gloves, a mask, and eye protection to refill the reservoir.
Additional Information
Functions not previously talked about, such as; hollow, drill, duplicate, and mirror.
The hollow function allows you to hollow out the inside of the model, and will let you determine the thickness of the walls of the print. It is not recommended to use this function unless you have a large model, as smaller models will be very fragile. Using this function can help with reducing the weight and amount of resin used for the print, which will help to make sure it does not fall off of the build plate due to being too heavy. Depending on the shape of the model, you may still need supports on the inside, to make sure that the model can be printed without falling apart due to overhang angles in the model itself.
The drill function allows you to cut out part of a model, and print both pieces, detached from each other. (see below)
The duplicate and mirror functions do as the name suggests, and will allow you to either duplicate or mirror/reverse the model(s). The mirror function can just reverse the model on the selected axis, and you can optionally make a duplicate of the original model, and the model that is still selected will be the mirrored version.
Specs and Maintenance
Specs: Phrozen Sonic resin 3D printers offer high-resolution, fast-printing LCD technology ranging from 4k to 14k, catering to various print volumes and detail requirements. Key models feature Mono-LCD screens, 4405nm light sources, and fast printing speeds.
Maintenance: Maintaining a Phrozen Sonic resin printer involves a few steps.
- Remove the vat, empty it, and clean with IPA and a soft cloth to remove residual resin. Use the "Vat Cleaning" function to remove cured debris before filtering resin back into the bottle.
- Wipe the build plate with IPA to remove residue. If resin is cured on, use a soft scraper or soak in IPA.
- Clean the LCD screen with a microfiber cloth and IPA to remove dust or smudges.
- Inspect the FEP film for scratches or clouding. Replace if damaged to avoid leaks.
- Apply dry PTFE-based lubricant to the Z-axis screw and linear guide rails to ensure smooth movement.
- Keep resin in a cool, dark place.
Bambu Carbon: 3D Printer
Bambu Labs
Bambu Labs:
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Download “BambuStudio” onto your PC/MacBook
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Once it has finished downloading and you have opened BambuStudio and made your account, find or make a 3D model that you would like to 3D print either from a 3D modeling software or from a website online.
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Once you have finished finding or making your model, make sure when exporting your model, that you export it as a .stl file
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Once you have finished exporting your chosen model, go to BambuStudio and at the top left of the screen hit the prepare tab.
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After entering the prepare tab, go to “File” at the top left of your screen and click import
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After clicking import and finding your 3D model, you should now see your model on the plate (the gridded platform)
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Once you see your model on the plate, look on the left hand side of your screen. You should see a menu with a bunch of different options.
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In that menu, click the tab that says “objects” next to “Process”. (It should be mid way down in the menu).
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Then go further down in the menu, you should see a check box that says “Enable Support”. Make sure that it is checked.
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Then further down in the “Type” setting in the same menu and choose the type of support you would like to use for your model. (Optional: you can choose on where your supports will go)
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After choosing the type of support you want, at the top right of your screen click the button that says “Slice plate”. This should then show you where the supports for your model will go when it finishes printing
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Once you have finished putting on the supports on your model, you can now hit the button that says “Print Plate”.
Printing to Bambu
Bambu Labs:
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Download “BambuStudio” onto your PC/MacBook
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Once it has finished downloading and you have opened BambuStudio and made your account, find or make a 3D model that you would like to 3D print either from a 3D modeling software or from a website online.
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Once you have finished finding or making your model, make sure when exporting your model, that you export it as a .stl file
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Once you have finished exporting your chosen model, go to BambuStudio and at the top left of the screen hit the prepare tab.
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After entering the prepare tab, go to “File” at the top left of your screen and click import
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After clicking import and finding your 3D model, you should now see your model on the plate (the gridded platform)
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Once you see your model on the plate, look on the left hand side of your screen. You should see a menu with a bunch of different options.
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In that menu, click the tab that says “objects” next to “Process”. (It should be mid way down in the menu).
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Then go further down in the menu, you should see a check box that says “Enable Support”. Make sure that it is checked.
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Then further down in the “Type” setting in the same menu and choose the type of support you would like to use for your model. (Optional: you can choose on where your supports will go)
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After choosing the type of support you want, at the top right of your screen click the button that says “Slice plate”. This should then show you where the supports for your model will go when it finishes printing
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Once you have finished putting on the supports on your model, you can now hit the button that says “Print Plate”.
Bambu:
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If not already downloaded, download BambuStudio onto your PC/MacBook
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After opening it and getting an account set up, go to devices and ensure that you are connected to the right printer via the internet
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Device should be labeled 3DP-00M-090
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In “Home”, different prints will pop up. You can either select one of these prints or find one on their website instead, and select “open project” to download it
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Can also: go to the physical printer and select prints from the screen
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Select a color for the print
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Then select start, and make sure the door is closed
Specs and Maintenance
Specs: The Bambu Carbon 3D printer is a high-speed, enclosed FDM 3D printer featuring a 256 x 256 x 256 mm build volume, optimized for advanced materials like Carbon/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers, PA, and PC. It features a 300°C hot end, 120°C bed, hardened steel nozzle, CoreXY motion system, and AI-driven LIDAR leveling.
Maintenance: Maintaining a Bambu Carbon 3D printer requires a few key steps for its best performance.
- Gently wipe the X-axis carbon rods with a microfiber cloth dipped in Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) to remove dust, which is critical for print quality. Move the print head to access all areas.
- Wipe the Y-axis linear rods with IPA. Apply a thin layer of grease afterward to ensure smooth movement.
- Wash the build plate with warm water and dish soap to remove oil and residue for better adhesion
- Check the PTFE tubes in the AMS and at the toolhead for wear, especially after using abrasive filaments.
- Clean old grease off the Z-axis lead screws with a cloth, then apply new silicone grease to the rods.
- Use compressed air to clean the part cooling fan, hotend fan, and electronics fans to prevent overheating.
- Loosen the screws on the back of the idler pulley, allow the springs to tension the belt, and re-tighten to ensure proper belt tension.
- Clean out dust and small filament pieces, and keep desiccant filled.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDj53T0Aq3g
Maintenance for the Bambu H2D:
https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/h2/maintenance/period-maintenance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw90Q6sDODQ
MarkForged Onyx Pro
Printing
Markforged Onyx Pro (Industrial FDM 3D Printer)
Onyx/Fiberglass Printer Printing Procedures
IMPORTANT: Do not print with Onyx or Fiberglass until you have been trained on this equipment.
WARNING! Always confirm with SCiL Staff before using this printer!
Step 1: Obtaining and the model to print
First, you will need to make sure the file you would like to print is a .stl file or .step file. The slicer program only accepts .stl and .step files, so something like .obj will not work.
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To export a model as an stl file in Maya, first, go to Windows→Settings/Preferences→Plug-in Manager, then in the search bar, type in “stl”, and check the load and auto load boxes for the result titled “stlTranslator.mll”, then hit refresh, and close that window. Then, go to File, and instead of hitting export selection, click the box next to it. Under “General Options”, there is a drop down menu labeled “File type:”. Look for the “STLExport” option, then save and close that window. You can now export files from Maya in an stl format. Just make sure that when you do go to export the model(s), that you change the “Files of type:”drop down and select STLExport.
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If you used blender to make the model, you can export as an stl without additional setup.
The computer with access to the browser based slicer Eiger (eiger.io), is the Mac in the Makerspace.
Step 2: Setting up the model to print
Once in the folder you made, you can import your model. When you do, make sure that the Configuration is set to Markforged Smart Settings, and the Destination Folder is set to your folder.
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Hold Left mouse button: moves the camera view via orbit of the model in the scene
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Click Left mouse button: while hovering over the model, selects a face that will rotate the model to make the selected face touching the build plate.
On the right side of the screen, make sure you have the Material set to Onyx, and the Reinforcement Material set to none, or if you have been authorized to do so, you can set it to Fiberglass.
Step 3: Adding Support Structure to the Model
The slicer will automatically add support structure where it is deemed needed. However, you can change how the supports generate. On the right side of the screen, there is a details panel with three menus: General, Settings, and Infill. For the most part you should not change any of the settings in either of these three menus.
Step 4: Slicing the Model
Once you have set up your model how you would like it, click the Save button at the bottom right of the screen. Eiger will then slice the model, as well as applying supports to the model. To see the support generation or specifics about the model, click the XRAY button near the top right of the screen. The support structure will be in purple, meanwhile, the model will be a transparent white. You can make the model visibly solid by clicking the Part button near the top middle of the screen, and you can do the same for the Support (and Fiber if applicable), by clicking their respective buttons to toggle between transparent or solid.
Note the build details panel on the left side of the screen, and the model’s respective costs.
WARNING REMINDER! Always confirm with SCiL Staff before using this printer!
Step 5: Printing the Model
Start by clicking on the Print button at the bottom right of the screen. This will take you to another page, in which you can choose how you would like to print the model. On the right side of the screen, you will see an option to set Printer Type and Select Printer. Make sure that the Printer Type is “Desktop Series (Onyx, Mark Two)”, and Printer Type is set to “Onyx Pro2”.
Once those have been set, click the Print button at the bottom right of the screen, and you can add it to the printer’s queue. From there, once the printer is not busy, you can start printing your model.
While the extruder nozzle heats up, apply a layer of glue(from a glue stick) on the build plate where the model will be printed. Apply enough glue for the plate to be sticky, but make sure it’s a smooth layer of glue, so that it does not gather and get run through or picked up by the extruder, as that will lead to gunking up the filament and causing uneven layers, which may lead to a failed print.
You may need to turn off the printer and turn it back on if the printer is having problems connecting to the laptop for printing. Double check the internet connection on the printer to make sure it's connected properly, and make sure the laptop is on the same internet connection.
When you start the print, make sure that you stay around to watch the first layer, to ensure that nothing goes wrong, or in the case of the print failing, you can stop it before it wastes more expensive filament.
Step 6: Cleaning up the build plate post print
Regardless of whether the print was successful or not, you will need to clean off the build plate once completed.
Replacing Filament
Specs and Maintenance
Specs: The Markforged Onyx Pro is a professional-grade composite desktop 3D printer featuring a 320 x 132 x 154 mm build volume, utilizing dual nozzles for Continuous Filament Fabrication (CFF) to embed fiberglass reinforcement into Onyx (micro carbon fiber-filled nylon) parts. Key specifications include a 100 
μm minimum layer height, second-generation extruder, and Eiger cloud-based software, delivering high-strength, functional parts with a 16 kg footprint.
Maintenance: Maintenance of this piece of equipment requires a few steps.
- Wash the print bed with a sponge and water (no soap) to remove old glue.
- Remove debris from the print chamber, specifically the vacuum groove.
- Check nozzles and material tubes for wear or damage.
- Empty wiping station bins and check brushes.
- Plastic nozzles (3,200cc) and fiber nozzles (750cc) must be replaced when prompted by the screen banner.
- Adjust belts every 500 print hours.
- Perform a bed level calibration every 10-20 prints, or if adhesion issues occur.
- Periodically clean and lubricate rails.
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Prusa MK4S
Prusa Slicer: Preparing Model
Article - Beginner's Walkthrough
Youtube - PrusaSlicer Beginner Tutorial: Learn the basics
Step-by-Step Guide to Create 3D Models for Printing Success
Connect the printer and select filament type
Navigation
Rotate plate - hold left mouse button
Zoom in/out - mouse scroll button
Move plate - hold right mouse button
Model import
First, you have to import your model. You can either drag and drop it directly to the PrusaSlicer window, use the Add button in the top toolbar, or choose File - Import.
Supported 3D formats are STL, STEP, 3MF, OBJ, and AMF.
Preparing the Model
Your model may need to be reoriented after import to optimize the print. Icons in the left toolbar will allow you to rotate, resize, and move your model. The place-on-face tool will auto align your model with the print bed.
Adding Supports
Models with an overhang over 45 degrees will require supports to print properly. To turn supports on pick either Supports: Everywhere or Supports: On build plate only from the drop-down menu in the right panel.
Firmware updates: https://help.prusa3d.com/downloads
Exporting the G-code
PrusaSlicer automatically detects if you insert an SD card, USB flash drive, or other removable media.
When detected, a new Export to SD/USB drive button will appear next to the Export G-code button (bottom right corner). Clicking it will open the file save dialog with the path initialized to the SD card or USB flash drive.
If multiple SD cards or USB flash drives are detected, the file dialog is opened at the last visited removable media.
Once a G-code is exported to a removable media, an Eject button is shown on the bottom right of the plater, which will safely disconnect your device.
Insert the USB flash drive into the printer and select your file.
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Using PrusaLink
PrusaLink allows monitoring, file uploads, and print control without internet access. The PrusaLink web interface is accessible only on your local network. Enter your printer's IP address (Printer's menu>Settings>Network>Prusa Link) into your browser to access it. This is a useful tool, but not needed for the printing process.
Maintenance
Regular Printer Maintenance
Replacing nozzle guide
QR Error Codes
Adjusting belt tension
Firmware updates
- Download the latest firmware for your printer on the Prusa product page. In the “Firmware” section, download the package for your printer model and extract the .zip or .bbf file on your computer.
- Make sure the USB flash drive doesn't contain any previous firmware (.bbf file)
- Copy the new .bbf file to the root directory of a USB flash drive (Not within a folder).
- Insert the USB flash drive and push the reset button. The bootloader will automatically compare the installed version with the one on the drive and, if it is newer, will automatically offer you to flash it.
- Confirm the update by selecting the "FLASH" button and pressing the knob.
