1-Wk 1 Introduction to 3D Printing PDF

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EG12007 Engineering Project II – 3D Printing

Wee eekk 1: IIntr ntr ntro odu ducti cti ction on to 33D D Pr Print int inting ing u usin sin singg G GEEET EEET EEETECH ECH A A30 30 1. Learning Outcomes ▪ ▪ ▪

Introduction to assembling a 3D printer. Understanding manual levelling of the build platform before printing. Introduction to CURA slicing software.

2. Assessment Criteria Take photos during the building process for the final report. For the report each member has to describe their contribution to the construction, levelling and printing processes. Describe what you’ve learnt as well as any problems you encountered and how you have solved them (2 Pages max per group for this section of the report). See the links at the 4. Learning Resources to help troubleshoot any build problems.

3. Building the GEEETECH A30 In this lab, you will work in groups of 3 (see MyDundee for Group information) to build a 3D printer from the box, perform checks to ensure proper setup and then perform a manual levelling of the build plate. Having a level build place is the first steps and crucial to ensure a successful print. Once the printer has been set up and verified, you will print your own object. To do this you will use a computer to run Cura, a free slicing program commonly used for 3D printing.

3.1 Lab Steps: All necessary documents to aid Lab steps are located on Blackboard under the folder Workshops → 1Introduction to 3D Printing. Open the box and unpack the 3D printer.

3.2 Building and testing the 3D Printer • •

Check that all the equipment on the package list is provided. Please do not damage or discard any packaging as it will be used later, place all unused packaging inside the storage box. Assemble 3D Printer using Quick Guide 1 & 2 on MYDUNDEE, ensure the power switch is set to 220V to prevent any damage to the controller upon power up before turning on the Printer.

Letter E F X Y Z None

# of pins 4 2 3 4 3 4 3 4 4

Connected component Extruder Motor Filament detector X motor limit switch X motor Y motor limit switch Y motor Z motor limit switch Z motor Z axis (opposite side wo ls)

Figure 1 - Printer layout with associated wiring letters

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EG12007 Engineering Project II – 3D Printing •

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Read the A30 User Guide (on MyDundee) to understand the functions of 3D printer and carry out the following tasks: ▪ Jog the printer head in different directions to make sure the wiring for each motor is correct. ▪ Feed the PLA filament through to the extruder, the filament should not protrude from the nozzle, stop when filament extruding motor begins to click. Ask a Teaching assistant to provide some, if you don’t have any filament. ▪ Manually level the 3D printer bed (page 20 of the A3 User Guide – located under myDundee → Wk 1: Introduction). This is a very important step to avoid any future problems, each member should attempt this at least once. • During the “coarse levelling” step, make sure you select OK to confirm the Z position of the motor, otherwise it will default to the previous position when you exit. • The screws for the “fine levelling” are beneath the bed and turned by hand. • It’s good practise to level the bed on a regular basis as it will move slightly due to the nozzle temperature, bed temperature, humidity, bed materials and other contributory factors. After MANUAL levelling – Verify printer setup with teaching assistant.

3.2 Importing GEEETECH printer settings into slicing software CURA Use the following steps to open the slicing software (Ultimaker Cura) and set up GEEETECH A30 printer settings. • • • •

Open Cura software, if asked for permission, press the X at the top to close the box. Create a new printer profile by clicking “Settings”> “Printer” > “Manage Printers” > “Add”. Click “Other”, look for “MakerBotReplicator”. Rename the printer “GEEETECH A30”, then “Add Printer” (Figure 2).

Figure 2- List of available printer profiles in Cura, select MakerBotTReplicator and Rename too GEEETECH A30.

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EG12007 Engineering Project II – 3D Printing •

Click on “Machine Settings” and change the current “Printer Head Settings” and “G-code flavor” to those found in Error! Reference source not found.:

Figure 3 - Settings for GEEETECH A30

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Download the GCODE file named Wk1_ Test Box.gcode from mDundee Wk1 → First Print files folder. GCODE files contain the 3D model to be printed as well as the printing settings for the printer. You will create your own printing settings next week, but for now the code has been provided to test your printer functions.

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With CURA open, select open file from the left side of the screen and open the downloaded GCODE. Ensure the 3D model is imported correctly and appears as below:

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If printing with the USB, connect the laptop and 3D printer with the included USB cable– verify connection by noting the blue tick in the monitor tab:

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EG12007 Engineering Project II – 3D Printing

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Click the Print via USB button – The printer will heat the print bed to 50°C and the extruder to 210°C before moving, this may take several minutes. Be careful of the hot extruder.

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If printing via SD card (page 27 of A30 User Manual, see my Dundee, Wk 1 Folder), plug in the SD card that came with the printer into the laptop via the USB to SD adapter and copy the

downloaded GCODE file onto it: ▪

Once the file is on the SD card, plug it into the side of the controller (port is next to the USB connection and may be beneath the yellow power select sticker). Tap the Printing Icon on the home screen, select the file you put on the SD card then start the print. MAKE

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You can view the build plate and extruder temperatures increasing before the print begins, this may take a couple of minutes. If filament is extruded before moving, try to safely remove it without touching the print nozzle.

3.3 Printing the Test Object ▪

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The print should take about 40 minutes in total. Observe the initial layer being printed, it is acceptable to have a few strands not completely adhere to the surface but if it is obvious that it is not printing correctly then cancel the print from the laptop by clicking “abort printing” in CURA (or tap the square on the controller if using SD card), do not close the CURA software. Stopping printing may take some time as it will finish the layer it is on. Once stopped, perform the manual levelling again and attempt another print. Contact teaching assistant if unsure at any point.

MAKE SURE to put your Group number onto the Printer using the labels provided, this will ensure you have the same printer during every workshop. In-between workshops, you will need to store the 3D. After you have completed the Lab, please move your printer onto the shelving provided, ask teaching assistants to guide you to the storage racks. 4

EG12007 Engineering Project II – 3D Printing

4. Reading Resources to learn about 3D Printing ▪

Ultimaker Cura Software: https://ultimaker.com/en/products/ultimaker-cura-software

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GEEETECH forum that can be searched to find a solution: https://www.geeetech.com/forum/app.php/help/faq?sid=cb77c1dbde64678e8360a 7cf9b9a36a0

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Facebook page, very useful for GEEETECH printing problems: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1068531466501015/

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CURA Manual: https://all3dp.com/1/cura-tutorial-software-slicer-cura-3d/

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GEEETECH A30 information page: https://www.geeetech.com/wiki/index.php/Geeetech_A30_3D_Printer#Specifications

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3DHub – A good introductive guide to additive manufacturing and the different methods https://www.3dhubs.com/what-is-3dprinting?utm_medium=email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=101&utm_content=6463 4156&utm_campaign=lifecycle-welcome&utm_campaign=LifeCycle%20%20Subscribers&utm_source=hs_automation&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_e3mdMeVLUNbxrprFoQdj_NXscG2z69TR4rKiGBPfsKd0l8ME6IevFF6kYYn47b5uGp-plMNhY9rwA5RtnPFsSgmkw&_hsmi=64634156

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3D Hub - A comprehensive and detailed guide to 3D printing, a valuable resource for later https://www.3dhubs.com/knowledge-base

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