33
votes
Accepted
What glues for bonding printed PLA to injection-molded plastic?
PLA is a nice one, and gluing has been a topic on some of our most favorite maker's channels. For example Stefan from CNC kitchen (this video) and Joel the 3DPrinting Nerd (this video). Also, in 2022, ...
- 21.2k
29
votes
Accepted
How to set Z-probe boundary limits in firmware when using automatic bed leveling?
There are a few questions on this topic, so a more generic solution would be informative and will prevent multiple questions of others when their sensor has a slightly different location. This answer ...
- 34.5k
19
votes
Accepted
Should I enclose my 3D Printer?
It is hard to tell whether you personally should enclose your printer. However, you asked for the advantages and I will name some of them on which one can base a decision.
A 3D printer enclosure
...
- 2,924
18
votes
How may I identify the firmware in use on my 3D printer?
Send M115 to the printer. This command is
Request the Firmware Version and Capabilities of the current microcontroller.
Response example:
ok ...
- 349
17
votes
Accepted
What is the difference between a Bowden extruder and a direct drive extruder?
A Bowden extruder and a direct drive extruder are two different types of extruder systems used in FDM 3D printers. Both feed filament into the hotend, but differ in the way the filament is pushed into ...
- 1,151
16
votes
Accepted
How to center my prints on the build platform? (Re-calibrate homing offset)
When centered in the slicer correctly, without offsets defined in the slicer, the printer is most probably incorrectly configured! Luckily you can do something about that! Basically, you will have to ...
- 34.5k
16
votes
Accepted
What special considerations must be taken when designing parts for 3D printing?
Designing a part for 3D printing often doesn't seem to have many special considerations, but I have learned the hard way, that there are some things to do differently. This is just a list of things to ...
- 21.2k
16
votes
Accepted
What is Thermal Runaway Protection?
What is TRP and how does it work?
Thermal runaway protection is basically self-explaining; it is protection against the temperature getting out of control. Essentially, the firmware checks whether ...
- 34.5k
16
votes
Accepted
Why is a 3D Benchy considered a good test print for FDM printers?
the 3D Benchy isn't a specific calibration test
With the Benchy you don't see if your printer is calibrated in any axis, but it is a general use-case test for a model that can show you many of the ...
- 21.2k
15
votes
Accepted
3D printing references for beginners
Welcome to the fantastic, sometimes frustrating but most often glorious world of 3D printing David! :)
Your question is really very very broad, but here's my contribution to make your first steps a ...
- 4,687
15
votes
Accepted
Why is it conventional to set line width > nozzle diameter?
There are several things at play that can make a wider line nice to have:
First layer adhesion
Due to some filaments having serious struggle to get the first line or layer stuck to the bed, it can be ...
- 21.2k
15
votes
Accepted
Slicer line width vs. extrusion multiplier for layer adhesion?
Generally speaking, both settings result in the same1: The feed rate of the filament gets adjusted. Either you set a general multiplier, or you demand a wider line which does make it set a higher ...
- 21.2k
14
votes
Accepted
What's the advantage of two z motors?
There are three main options here for Mendel style ZX gantries:
One Z screw and motor, which is similar to a cantilevered design but somewhat more stable because of the opposite smooth rod
Two Z ...
- 6,536
13
votes
Accepted
What is a printer console/terminal?
There are several programs that could serve as a console to connect to a printer, put let's start somewhere: the USB connection.
Step 1: Connection with USB
When connecting the printer via USB for the ...
- 21.2k
12
votes
Accepted
How do I calibrate the extruder of my printer?
Basic process
To calibrate the extruder you would need to verify that the
requested amount of filament is actually what is being moved by the extruder.
Structural or temporary problem
A first thing ...
- 34.5k
11
votes
Should I enclose my 3D Printer?
@kamuro provided an excellent answer, so I'll just try to add by playing devil's advocate.
Possible things to look out for:
Inappropriate enclosure could result in more temperature differences, ...
- 6,284
11
votes
Why is it conventional to set line width > nozzle diameter?
Shouldn't a 0.4 mm nozzle create a line of plastic 0.4 mm wide
Not necessarily. Due to a phenomenon known as die swell extruding plastic through a 0.4 mm nozzle, the line of plastic ...
- 14.8k
10
votes
Accepted
What causes "ghosting"?
Ghosting is an artefact in the print due to the vibrations in the printer that are induced by rapid changes of direction. It is important not to confuse them with inherent vibrations in the printer ...
- 4,687
10
votes
Accepted
Using auto-bed leveling, do I need to initiate G29 before every print?
No, it is not necessary to call G29 before every print to "auto level the bed" 1) provided that:
the bed surface has not changed (e.g. large load or ...
- 34.5k
9
votes
Accepted
How to choose an extrusion temperature?
Printing temperature basics
Manufacturers generally specify a somewhat wide range of printing temperatures, and what temperature you should actually need can only be determined by trial and error:
...
- 14.8k
9
votes
Recalibrating Home-position
When homing the printer, the hot end carriage will be instructed to hit the (mechanical or optical) end stops. From this point a well configured firmware knows where to find the origin of the heat bed....
- 34.5k
9
votes
Accepted
How does a UV LCD 3D resin printer work?
I'm surprised your research hasn't answered your question, as the concept is relatively simple. You have most of the answer in the question. The missing item is a light source. Usually the source is ...
- 11.3k
9
votes
Why do different drivers change the noise of steppers?
Stepper motors contain two distinct sets of coils. The current in these coils is governed by your stepper motor driver.
To move the motor in either direction, the coils are being driven one after ...
- 1,387
9
votes
Accepted
Automatic Bed Leveling (ABL) with a sensor (BLTouch, inductive, capacitive), how does it work?
The issues/questions raised about the automatic bed leveling using e.g. a BLTouch probe at this stack require a more in depth description of the automatic leveling functionality in general, this ...
- 34.5k
8
votes
Accepted
How to calculate the proper layer height multiples?
that the NEMA17 motor would be using 400 Steps per mm in Z. configuration_adv.h tells that the microsteps on the Z-axis motor are 16.
Easy. There are 400 ...
- 14.8k
6
votes
What glues for bonding printed PLA to injection-molded plastic?
Yes Super Glue is best choice.
I personally use it in many PLA projects.
I even apply Super Glue layer to ABS prints to avoid layer separation.
It works well with both ABS and PLA, but exercise some ...
- 301
6
votes
Are there any "best" or at least "common" practices to handle allowances in OpenSCAD code?
It helps to understand the different aspects of dimensions, so you can use the terminology correctly. This will help you define your variables in OpenSCAD with correct names. (Tolerance is the wrong ...
- 353
6
votes
Accepted
Which software do I need to start print something?
First; find a model!
To print something you require a model (usually this is in STL format, look into websites called Thingiverse and MyMiniFactory for examples). Once you have a model file, you need ...
- 34.5k
6
votes
Accepted
What is the functional difference between an e3D-Style nozzle, Makerbot MK8 and M6 Chinesium Nozzles?
Differentiation
The main differences between the e3D-Nozzle family and the "simple" Nozzle are the wrench size, body length and thread length of the nozzle. In fact, I have come across 2 different "...
- 21.2k
6
votes
Accepted
How to pause a print to insert something in a cavity using Ultimaker Cura?
Ultimaker Cura contains "Extensions"; in version 4.1.0, the process is as follows:
Extensions -> Post Processing -> Modify G-code
Add a Script -> Pause at height
Choose the one that matches your ...
- 21.2k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible