written by: ryder r. nance...step 1 — some important notes please keep the maker-e clean! there is...

Basic PrintingLearn to print on a MakerGear M2 using the Simplify 3D software.

Written By: Ryder R. Nance

Basic Printing Release: 1.02.2 [minor] 2019-02-06Guide ID: 23 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-26 09:16:32 PM (MST).

© 2019 bucknellmakers.dozuki.com/ of 20

INTRODUCTION

The MakerGear M2 is a 3D printer used to create physical three-dimensional objects from 3Dcomputer models. Plastic is the most typical medium. While this printer is capable of printing in ABSor PLA, we ask that you only use PLA. The basic function of a 3D printer is almost like a roboticallycontrolled hot-glue gun that follows certain patterns generated by horizontally slicing 3D models intolayers. The hot end assembly of the printer draws each layer by extruding filament onto the printbed. After all the layers build up, the object is complete! If you would like to learn more about 3Dprinting or have difficulties with a project the “A-Z 3D Printing Handbook” is a comprehensivemanual that discusses many of the issues of getting good 3D prints. You can access the PDFfile attached to the bottom of this guide.

Published by Ryder R. Nance with contributions from Matt P. Lamparter.




Step 1 — Some important notes

Please keep the Maker-E clean! There is a vacuum (Shark Rocket) to clean debris out of the 3Dprinter’s enclosure. You can find it in one of the cabinets under the 3D printer bench.

The nozzle (hot end) of the printer gets very hot in order to melt the plastic filament. To avoidburning yourself, do not touch the nozzle while the printer is running, or immediately after a job hasfinished. Note that the print bed will also get hot.

3D printers typically use one of two types of plastic filament: PLA or ABS. We use exclusively PLAin the Maker-E. If you wish to use ABS, please speak with a technician or visit the Mooney Labmakerspace.




Step 2 — Confirm filament type

Confirm that PLA filament is loaded on top of the printer.

You can check the filament type by referring to the label on the side of the filament roll.

If PLA is not loaded, please see a technician for assistance.




Step 3 — Turn on the printer

Obtain a training card from a technician and insert it in the badging box to turn on the printer. Thebox should glow green.

Confirm that the printer's white USB cable is plugged in to the USB hub below the monitor. Theport should glow blue to indicate it is enabled. If the port is not blue, press the correspondingpower button to turn it on.

Confirm that the printer's enclosure lights up.




Step 4 — Launch Simplify3D

If this is your first time using the printer in the Maker-E, you will need to run theMakerE_2018.02.26.reg file located on the desktop before launching Simplify3D. The file can alsobe found on the Maker-E Google drive.

Once you have run the registry file you should launch the Simplify3D application, also located onthe desktop.

After Simplify3D opens you should see the screen shown here. If you encounter a login screen,please stop and see a technician.




https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B7DkewZ-RIWFZG5ZU0RNSHVJamc

Step 5 — Heating the print bed

As it takes several minutes to heat the print bed, now is a good time to begin heating. Click thegear icon on the right side tool panel to open the Machine Control Panel.

Confirm that the Port is set to COM4 and the Baud Rate is set to 115200. The printer shouldalready be connected, but if it is not then click the Connect button.

Enter the heated bed temperature for PLA: 70°C and press the corresponding On button. The redcircle to the left of "Heated Bed" should brighten to indicate that the bed is heating.




Step 6 — Import Your File

If you are using the printer for the first time to pass your certification then download thebisonHead.stl file attached to the bottom of this guide. This file came from Thingiverse, which is agreat resource for free 3D object files.

Click Import and navigate to where your STL file is saved. After you have imported your file,experiment with using the mouse to navigate the workspace. Zooming, rotation, and translation areall possible with the scroll wheel, left button, and right button, respectively.

The orientation of your object may affect how much support material is needed. More on this later.The basic idea is to rotate your part so that as much flat surface area sits on the print bed aspossible.

You can change the rotation by double clicking the object then adjusting the rotation settings asneeded. The bisonHead.stl object has a flat bottom which is already resting on the print bed. Thus,it does not require any rotation.

If you rotated your model, click Center and Arrange to reposition your model in the center of theprint bed and drop it flat on the surface.




https://www.thingiverse.com/

Step 7 — Defining support material

Notice how the bison's horns andchin stick out from the head, withnothing underneath them? If theprinter tried to print these as shownit would be extruding hot plastic inmidair - which would promptly fall!We call this overhang.

The solution is to define "supportmaterial" underneath theseoverhangs which will give the printersomething to rest the overhangs onwhile they are being printed. Supportmaterial is generated in such a wayas to provide good support whileprinting, but can be easily removedonce the print finishes. Supportmaterial is temporary.

Begin by clicking the stonehenge-looking icon on the right to bring upthe Support Generation window.Click the Generate AutomaticSupports button to have Simplify3Dadd supports where it deemsnecessary.




Step 8 — Customizing support material

Simplify3D does a pretty good job at placing support material, but it is important to examine theautomatic placement and think about how the resulting model will print. In this example, there areseveral areas where support is not needed and will only make for difficult removal. These arecalled out in red.

Click on the Remove existing supports button and then left click on all of the supports you wishto remove. Remember to check both sides of the model!

You should also add several additional supports for the chin to ensure it prints properly. These arecalled out in green.

Click on the Add new support structures button and then left click where you would like to addsupport.

Click Done to exit support definition when you are satisfied.




Step 9 — Defining the Print Settings

Double click Process1 in the Processes window to bring up the Print Settings dialog. If Process1does not appear, click Add to generate a new process and open the dialog window.

Adjust settings as shown:

Select the MakerGear M2 (24V V4 hotend) profile.

Select PLA as your print material.

Choose to print Medium quality. The trade off between Low and High quality comes in the formof quality vs. print time. Generaly, Medium results in good prints at reasonable speeds.

Set Infill to 20%. This parameter determines whether your part is completely hollow, solid, orsomewhere in between. Increasing infill will add rigidity to your part if it must withstand heavyloads. However, this will also increase the print time for your part, and increase the likelihood ofwarping.

Confirm that MakerGear M2 (24V V4 hotend) is displayed in the Select Profile field. If this profileis not selected, or not available as an option, quit Simplify3D, go back to the beginning ofthis tutorial and run the registry file as instructed.

This profile will set the heated bed and extruder to the correct temperatures for the filament youchoose. There is no need to adjust the temperatures manually.




Step 10 — Generate a tool path

Now click the Prepare to Print button. Simplify3D will show you a preview window detailing thetoolpaths used to construct your object.

The top left of the screen shows useful build statistics such as build time, filament usage, and costof material. Remember the build time as you will need this value in a future step.




Step 11 — Move SD card from printer to computer

Now you need to transfer the information to the printer. Open the enclosure and remove the SDcard from the printer, located on the bottom right.

Locate the SD/USB adapter which should be near the USB hub. Insert the SD card into theadapter.

Now insert the SD/USB adapter into the USB hub in any of the unoccupied ports. Be sure to pressthe corresponding power button to enable the port. The port should glow blue.

Step 12 — Save toolpath to SD card

Now click Save Toolpaths to Diskand save your file to theMAKERGEARM2 (D:) drive.




Step 13 — Start your print

Open a Windows Explorer window and locate the MAKERGEARM2 (D:) drive. Right click on thisdrive and choose Eject. Wait until the drive disappears from Windows Explorer.

Be sure to eject the SD card properly from Windows. Failure to follow this step can cause the cardto become corrupted which will prevent you from printing.

Remove the SD card from the hub, insert it back into the printer and close the door.

Return to the Simplify3D control panel by clicking the gear icon and click the Print from SD cardbutton.

Scroll to the bottom of the window that pops up to locate your file. The names will be truncated, butthe most recently saved file will appear at the bottom of the list.

With your file selected, click OK to begin the print.




Step 14 — Disconnect the printer and set timer

Wait for the print bed and nozzle to warm up to their respective set points and for your print tobegin. Once the first one or two layers of your print have successfully completed, you candisconnect the printer.

You should turn off the power switch on the USB hub which corresponds to the M2 printer. Thiswill properly disconnect the printer from the computer but enable the print to continue from the SDcard. You may need to press and hold the button for a moment to turn off the port. The blue lightsurrounding the port should turn off.

Do not close Simplify3D or log out of the computer before turning off the port on the USB hub!Doing so will cause your print to stop.

Once you have turned off the port on the USB hub you may quit Simplify3D and log out ofWindows. Do not turn the hub port back on or your print will stop!

As a courtesy to other makers, please set the countdown timer beside the printer using theestimated time from a previous step. The timer lets other makers know when your print will finish.




Step 15 — Cooling Off

When the print is finished, let it cool for several minutes. The object could warp if it’s handledbefore cooling. Also, the bed will cool after several minutes, making it safer to remove your part.

The bed may or may not drop after your print completes, depending on the amount of friction in thez-axis drive.

If the bed does not automatically lower it may be necessary to slightly turn the z-axis adjustmentknob in order to get the bed to lower. Be sure to support the bed as it drops to the bottom.Failure to support the bed will cause it to rapidly crash into the bottom of the printer frame whichcould damage the printer.




Step 16 — Removing your print from the bed

!!!STOP!!! It is tempting to just pull your print off the bed, but you can damage the machine orcause misalignment if you try this. Make sure to carefully read and follow the instructions below toremove the print.

Remove the eight clips holding the plastic sheet from the bed. Be careful not to burn yourself.Once the plastic sheet (with your print) is out of the printer then remove the print by gently flexingthe plastic. Your part may fall off of the bed or it may require some additional prying with yourfingers or a tool.

Be careful when using tools to remove prints. Do not let the tool slip and cut your fingers or hand.




Step 17 — Removing support material

If you part had support material you may now safely remove it. Use pliers and exercise caution.

Again, be careful when using tools to remove support material. Do not let the tools slip which couldcause cuts on your fingers and hands.




Step 18 — Cleaning up

Remove any remaining plastic from the print bed. The M2 printer will print a skirt, a small ring ofplastic, around the perimeter of your part. Be sure to remove this skirt.

Clean up any bits of plastic and all of your support material. All of your PLA scraps can go in thePLA Recycling box behind the 3D printer. ABS can go in the trash.

Use the vacuum mentioned earlier if there are a lot of small bits of plastic.




Step 19 — Replacing the print bed

The final step is to place the plastic sheet back on the printer. Locate the corner with the black dotand make sure it is facing the front left of the printer.

Reattach the eight binder clips. Note the tape indicating where the clips should be located. Be sureto place the clips in the correct spot so that the print head does not run into them!

Finally, remove the 3D printer training card from the badging box and return it to a technician.

Congratulations on completing your first 3D print!




written by: ryder r. nance...step 1 — some important notes please keep the maker-e clean! there is...

Documents