3d-printer-user-guide

Shop Area: Digital Fabrication Tool: 3D Printing Requires in-person training: No

Procedure Number UG 120-01, Rev. 0

Date DRAFT

 

Lulzbot TAZ6

GENERAL

A guide for using the following 3D Printers:

• Lulzbot Mini
• Lulzbot TAZ6
• Gigabot

SAFETY

• Do not remove material from the printer before it has cooled.
• Clean up clutter, debris and flammable materials at the printer after use.

REFERENCE

• PrintBite+ bed surface guide (https://flex3drive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/PrintBite-Instructions.pdf)
• 3dprinteros.com tutorial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq7Uws9BTxI)

PROCEDURE

The Lulzbots are connected to a 3DPrinterOS server, which allows for remote access. Both printers have PrintBite surfaces on the beds, and therefore do NOT need a glue stick, blue tape, etc. to adhere. 

 

Method 1 (3dprinteros.com)

This method is the simplest and most convenient. It currently does not support the Gigabot printer.

1. Visit https://www.3dprinteros.com/ and login using the credential found printed on the sign at the printers.
2. Upload your .stl file to 3dprinteros
3. Next to your file, click on Apps > STL Editor
4. Once the editor is open, choose the printer you want to use and layout your part on the print bed
5. Click the Save & Slice icon
6. In the Slicing dialog box, select the profile that most closely matches your filament type
7. Click Slice
8. A new .gcode file will be created, click the Print icon associated with this file

 

Method 2 (Cura):

This method works for all printers and is necessary for the Gigabot.

1. Start Cura by clicking Applications > Graphics > Cura
2. File > Open Profile and select the profile most similar to what you'd like to print. The profiles can be found on the Lulzbot website, and here for the Gigabot.
3. Configure the print as needed
   1. Nozzle temperature is a function of filament type
   2. Bed temperature is a function of bed surface material and filament type. Use the Printbite cheat sheet to find bed temperature.
4. Save gcode to an sdcard
5. Load the sdcard into the Gigabot or Taz6, and use the printer's LCD interface to select your .gcode file for printing.

 

Filament

The Lulzbots and Gigabot use 2.85 or 3mm filament. They can also use 1.75mm filament, but the likelihood of failure is much higher. Loading Filament

1. Select the filament you would like to load
2. In 3dprinteros, manually set the nozzle temperature to the melting point of the filament currently loaded in the printer by going to Printers -> Tools -> Joystick -> Extruders -> set temperature.
3. Undo the latch in the extruder, and remove the filament in the printer.
4. To load new filament, cut off a small amount of filament at about a 45 degree angle to assist in loading. Snip tool is found in the 3d printing tool drawer.
5. Manually push the filament into the extruder until it extrudes out the hot nozzle. Re-latch the extruder bearing.

TROUBLESHOOTING

• Part lifting from bed - Clean the bed surface with soapy water. Do NOT use abrasives or strong chemicals like isopropyl alcohol.
• To remove a stuck print, best practice is to heat the bed to about 50C to loosen the printed part, then the part should come off with relative ease.
• If your print is not sticking to the bed, do NOT use a glue stick, blue tape, or other adhesives as advised by the internet. The PrintBite bed surfaces will be damaged with these tactics. Instead, find the correct temperature and orientation for your print and it will adhere well. You can also try adding a brim or making your brim larger.

 

                                   END OF THE PROCEDURE