TFDL Makerspace Training
What is 3D Printing?
Ref. Copilot AI
The term “3D printing” covers a variety of processes in which material is joined or solidified under computer control to create a three-dimensional object, typically adding material layer by layer.
The 3D printers in Labnext use an inexpensive 3D printing process known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), or Filament Freeform Fabrication. This process uses a continuous filament of thermoplastic material. Self serve 3D printing is free.
3D Printing Rules and Etiquette
- Do not use Makerspace equipment to create objects that are illegal, violate intellectual property rights, or can be used as, or be mistaken for, a weapon.
- Prints cannot exceed 4 hours in length. We do not do overnight prints.
- 3D printers are not bookable, so arrive with sufficient time.
- Prints cannot be left unattended during the printing process.
- You may only use the filament provided by staff in the makerspace. Any user supplied filaments are not permitted.
- Do not recalibrate the 3D printers.
- Do not apply any adhesives to the Prusa print bed. It will damage the coating and makes cleaning much more difficult.
- Some printers use hairsprays, glue, or other adhesives to increase the bed adhesion of prints. The print bed on the Prusa printers has a special polyetherimide (PEI) coating which helps with adhesion.
- If a print fails IMMEDIATELY stop the print using the control knob on the printer and selecting “stop print” and notify a Lab NEXT staff member.
- Please do not attempt to fix the problem yourself. Depending on the severity of the failure, improper attempts to remove the failed print can damage the extruder or sensors.
- Clean up any remaining debris or plastic. Please leave the space cleaner than you found it.
Step 1: 3D Modelling
In order to print an object, you first need a 3D model.
The following software can produce .STL models for 3D printing and are available to use on the High Performance PC’s:
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In addition to designing your own models, there are several online digital repositories of 3d models available for printing, for free:
Models should be exported in .STL or .3MF file formats. They must be properly joined without any construction issues.
- STL files describe only the surface geometry of a three-dimensional object, without any representation of color, texture, or other attributes.
- 3MF is an XML-based data that includes information about materials, colors, and other attributes that cannot be represented in the STL format.
Step 2: Slicing
- To prepare a model for printing, it needs to be “sliced”.
- Slicing subdivides the model layer by layer, and saves them as machine instructions for the 3D printer. The file format of these instructions is .gcode.
- The Prusa MK3S comes with free open source slicing software called Prusaslicer.
- Prusaslicer is installed on a workstation within the makerspace.
First Time Configuration
The first time you use Prusaslicer, it will need to be configured for our printer.
- Go to the configuration menu at the top menu bar, and choose "Configuration Wizard". Click Next and check the box for "Original Prusa i3 MK3S & MK3S+", then uncheck any other boxes which are checked on this page. Click the "Finish" button.
- Now, you should select the correct filament to use. In the following screen, you should first select the "None" button to unselect any filaments, then search for "Prusament PLA" on the Profile listbox and select only this one from the list. In the TFDL LabNext Makerspace we only print in Prusament PLA filament.
Once the correct printer and filament are selected, you are ready to start slicing models.
Slicing Models
To slice a model, open Prusaslicer and follow the steps below.
- Drag in or Import your .STL or .3MF file (File>Import)
- Your file will appear in the middle of the digital surface
- This is a tool bar to move and place the model in space.
- This is a tool bar to access view, copy and undo tools.
- This section determines print settings, such as infill percentage, brim, and support.
- You can switch from regular “Model” to “Sliced” view for a preview of the print. After pressing “Slice now”, you will get estimates for printing time and the amount of filament used.
- Save your G-code file on your SD card.
Slicer settings
Layers
- Most settings for the print can be modified using the options on the right side of Prusa Slicer (located at 5 in the above image)
- The print settings menu option is where you can select factory default templates. The primary difference between the print qualities is layer height. A higher layer height greatly improves print speed at the expense of print detail. .15mm layer height will meet most needs.
Filament
- We only allow PLA filament in Lab NEXT's makerspace. The filament is provided free of charge and is available for use within the makerspace.
- The filament settings within Prusaslicer should be set at "Prusament PLA".
Supports
- One limitation of 3D printing is that you cannot print in mid-air; each layer must be supported by either the previous layer of the model, or by scaffolding known as “Supports”.
- PrusaSlicer will automatically determine the best location for support scaffolding.
- Turn on Supports to view this tab and select the option that best suits your model.
- Support material can be easily removed using your fingers or hand tools.
- You can sometimes avoid having to use support material by re-orienting the model so it prints at a different angle.
- For example, the "T" below could be printed without supports if it was printed upside down, and all of the models would not need supports if they were printed flat instead of standing up.
- You can sometimes avoid having to use support material by re-orienting the model so it prints at a different angle.
Infill
- Infill refers to the internal structure of your 3D print.
- Common infill densities are between 20% - 25%.
- This offers a nice balance between durability and material consumption.
- If strength is less important to you than cost or time, the best infill range is between 10% - 15%.
- NOTE: Even at 100% infill, 3d printed PLA parts should not be used in applications which require high strength.
Brim
- The Brim function is used to increase bed adhesion. It is a widening of the first layer’s circumference and is easily removed after the print is complete.
- One of the most common causes of print failures is low bed adhesion.
- A brim is generally used with objects that have a small contact area with the bed, or on sharp-edged shapes to protect the corners from warping.
Step 3: Prepare Your Filament
- Make sure the PLA filament does not have knots. You can prevent these by securing the filament into holes on the spool. NEVER allow your filament to knot itself.
- Trim the end of the filament.
- Do not use any part that has been melted or badly bent.
- Tools for the 3D printer are in the 3D printer rolling cabinet.
- Before printing anything, make sure you have enough filament.
- You will get an estimate of how much filament will be required when you slice your model in PrusaSlicer. Be sure to leave a small buffer (5%) for any margin of error in the software’s slicing estimate.
- Make sure your filament is secured when it is not in use. Not securing the filament can lead to accidental knots, which cause print failures and can damage the 3D printer.
Step 4: Use the 3D Printer
The Lab NEXT makerspace uses Prusa MK3S 3D printers in the makerspace. While there is room for 2 different spools of filament, only one can be used at a time, as our version only has a single extruder. There are only two buttons. They are both located to the right of the LCD screen. The Control Knob functions as both a button and a dial. It is the only button you need. Do not press the Reset button below the Control Knob.
To Use the 3D Printer:
- Insert your SD card (provided at LabNext). The slot is on the left side of the LED screen and the card must be inserted upside down. Do not force the card.
- Gently wipe the bed with the paper towel and alcohol provided. Ensure the paper towel is lightly damp, but not dripping or soaked. Wipe only the bed, nothing else. Do not add any glues, hairspray, or other adhesives to the print bed.
- Rotate the Control Knob until you find the option “Autoload filament”. Select it by pressing the same Control Knob.
- Follow the instructions on the screen. When loading filament and during printing, the extruder will heat the end to temperatures over 190 degrees C. Do not touch the extruder during printing or when loading or unloading filament.
- Scroll down until you find the option “Print from SD”. Find your .gcode file and select it. The bed and nozzle will start heating immediately, and then your print will begin.
- Watch the first few layers closely to ensure your file is printing normally.
- Once your print is done, allow the print bed to cool for 5 minutes. This makes it easier to remove your model from the print bed without damaging either the model or the printer. It is especially important to allow time to cool to ensure the print bed does not get scratched.
- You can unload your filament by selecting “unload filament” using the Control Knob. You must wait while the printer prepares to unload. Do not leave the 3D printer after selecting “unload filament”, as the filament should be removed immediately when the printer instructs you do so.
- Once your print is complete, remove the magnetic PEI sheet and flex the sheet slightly to remove your print. Carefully remove any remaining PLA from the sheet and place it back on the print bed. Be careful replacing the sheet, as the magnets can cause the edges to pull down and pinch fingers.
Loading and Unloading the Filament
- Press the dial and select "Unload Filament", then select "PLA"
Press the dial by the printer screen and rotate it until you reach the " Unload Filament" option. Press the dial to select and then select PLA to start the preheat process.
- Wait BY the printer to preheat and Beep
It's very important to remain by the printer waiting for the printer to cue you to remove the filament. If the printer is left alone and the filament is not removed, it can melt, form a plastic plug on the extruder, and damage the printer.
- Acknowledge the message by pressing the dial and delicately help unload the filament
After the preheat is done, the printer will cue the user to press the dial to unload the filament. You should then press the dial and gently pull the filament out of the printer head.
- Secure the filament on the spool
Without letting go of the filament, you must secure it on the spool by passing the end through one hole on the side of the spool. This is meant to prevent the filament from forming knots on itself that can generate a future print to fail and the printer to be damaged.
- Trim the filament end from the new color
Sometimes when unloading the filament, the end tip has strings or a bigger diameter. So, before inserting the new filament, trim about 1cm off, so that the end is flush and with the same diameter as the rest of the filament. This helps prevent a plug on the printer's head while feeding the new filament into the printer.
- Put the new color filament end in the printer head and delicately help it load
There's no need to select any new options as the printer is configured to autoload the filament once it's fed. With the new color filament already trimmed, just insert it on the printer's head and you'll feel it pulling the filament down. Help it reach all the way by gently pushing it down.
- Acknowledge the new color being extruded.
You'll then notice that from the extruder will be coming out filament of the previous color mixed with the new color. To purge out all the previous color, the printer will ask you if the new color is extruding correctly, please select NO and let it extrude once more. After select YES when cued and remove the extruded filament carefully before printing.
TROUBLESHOOTING
- In most cases, our 3D printer can print an overhang with an angle less than 45° without requiring additional support material. When printing overhangs, reducing the layer height can improve the print.
- For example, reducing the layer height from instructs the printer to produce more layers, allowing the printer to take smaller steps when creating an overhang.
- For angles greater than 45°, you should turn on supports when slicing the 3D model.
- A brim will reduce the risk of lifting from the bed when a model has a comparatively small surface in contact with the bed, or when the model may warp.
- Warping occurs when a print is large and thin.
- Make sure filament print temperature is correct.
- Do not print at temperatures over 215 °C, which is the standard printing temperature for Prusa PLA filament
- Need to shorten your print time? Change the slice settings such as the infill percentage (make it less) and increase the layer height.
- Last Updated: Feb 25, 2025 11:01 AM
- URL: https://libguides.ucalgary.ca/makerspace_training
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