Prusa Printer

Overview

Name: Denhac’s name of machine

Location: 3D Printing & Textiles Room

Status: Operational

Training: Required

Slack Channel: #help-3d-printing

Access: inside.denhac.org

Owner: Denhac

Training

Training is required for 3D Printing. To be trained, reach out in #help-3d-printing to work with our volunteer trainers to schedule a training.

Training will cover:

Intro to 3D printing concepts
Installing PrusaSlicer on your laptop and basic operation
Overview of OctoPrint to run jobs
Filaments
Machine safety
Loading filament
Demonstrate executing a print job
Getting help

Students will be set up with access to OctoPrint to run print jobs at the conclusion of class.

Software

3D Modeling

3D Modeling software is used to create a digital 3D object usually saved as a .stl file. Some examples of 3D modeling software include TinkerCAD, Blender, SketchUp and Fusion 360.

This is outside the scope of Denhac. We assume you’ll show up with a 3D model you want to print.

You can also download 3D models made by others from sources like:

Slicer: PrusaSlicer

A slicer is software that converts a 3D model into a set of instructions for the printer saved in the .gcode format. At Denhac we use PrusaSlicer.

This is where you’ll configure your speed and quality settings, setup any necessary supports, choose your infill pattern and generally set up how your model will be printed.

Installing

Download the installer for your OS from the Drivers/Apps section from the I3 MK3S+ downloads page.
Run the installer. Select the Original Prusa i3 MK3S & MK3S+ printer with the 0.4mm nozzle checked.
Click Next until you get to Filaments Profiles Selection. Select the filaments you would like to work with, or click the All button to install all filament profiles.
TODO: it would be good to recommend a sane set of filaments
You can use the defaults for the rest. Click Next until the end then click Finish.

You can re-run this installer at any time to change your configuration or install additional filament profiles by going to Configure > Configuration Assistant.

Basic Usage

Import your 3D model by going to File > Import STL.
In the right pane choose your print settings.
- 0.20mm QUALITY is a good starting point
- Choose the correct filament
Export to .gcode by going to File > Export > Export G-code

More Info

Controller: OctoPrint

Controller software allows users to manage and monitor print jobs and the printers themselves and sends .gcode instructions to the printers. At Denhac we use OctoPrint.

This is where you will upload your .gcode file, start and stop printing, monitor video of your print and get information on printer and job status.

You can access OctoPrint onsite at <color>prusa.inside.denhac.org once you have completed training.

Operation

Safety

Do not touch the nozzle or the print bed unless cool. The bed may be as high as 100°C and the nozzle 255°C. Direct contact at these temperatures will result in serious injury.
Do not put your hand (or clothing or face or anything really) in the print area as it may get pinched by the moving mechanisms or you may damage the printer components.
Do not stick your head too close to the plate as the moving components may stab you in the eye.
3D printing generates fumes! If you’re going to stay in the room leave the door open to ventilate
Do not touch the surface of the print sheet. The oils from your skin will effect adhesion.
Do not let the preheated printer idle as it may cause nozzle to jam up.
Do not move axes manually as you may damage the controller.

Access

Each printer is setup with OctoPrint to allow for managing the printers over the inside.denhac.org network available onsite. Access is granted at the completion of training.

Print jobs are posted on the slack #bots channel on start, cancel, or successful completion. @<color>prusa status on that channel will respond with an image of print job.

Printing with an SD card is intentionally difficult and OctoPrint should always be used.

Clean print sheet

Ensure print sheet is cool.
Use a scraper or credit card to remove any debris from the print sheet. Be careful not to touch the surface of the print sheet.
Clean the print sheet with a paper towel and the correct cleaning solution for that print sheet and your chosen filament. (Some options include isopropyl alcohol, warm water and a few drops of dish soap, denatured alcohol, windex.)

Load print sheet

Choose and clean the steel print sheet for the printer you are using that works best with your chosen filament according to the Materials Table.
Place the magnetic print sheet on the print bed by aligning the pins at the end of the heatbed with cut out slots in the spring steel sheet.
Select the chosen sheet on the printer LCD. (TODO: need more detailed steps)

Load filament

Preheat printer for correct filament type.
Make sure that filament tip is nice and pointy and that the filament is spooled correctly. Be careful not to let the spooled filament unwrap by holding tail of the filament to the spool with your finger.
Put the spool on the printer.
Select autoload on LCD and select the correct filament type. (If nozzle is not preheated, select filament type from preheat menu and wait for nozzle to reach target temperature.)
Insert the filament into the extruder and confirm loading by pressing the control knob.
Select cool down from the LCD menu.

Printing

Export your .stl file from PrusaSilcer. Choose your filament, speed and quality settings, support materials and any other desired settings and save .gcode file.
Upload your .gcode file in OctoPrint in your folder (create if it does not exist) using the Load button.
Preview the print using the Center viewport and Zoom in on model option.
When ready press Print on the left.

Monitoring

Watch the first few printed layers to be sure filament has attached to the bed properly (5 to 10 minutes). If this is one of your first couple of prints stay for the whole thing.
Look to make sure it is sticking well and for consistent extrusion.
You can view job progress in OctoPrint.

Stopping

In the event of a print failing cancel job from OctoPrint.
In an emergency where the printer is spewing filament or getting damaged use the reset button on the printer itself.

Removing your print

When it’s done, the bed will be VERY HOT. Wait for it to cool! Premature removal of print sheet can damage the your print, the print sheet and yourself.
Remove steel sheet from printer. Be careful not to touch the surface.
Bend steel sheet slightly. (Don’t pry.) Prints should pop off.
Log out of OctoPrint when your job is done.

Unload filament

Select unload from the printer LCD.
Remove end from extruder.
Remove spool from holder. Be careful not to let the spolled filament unwrap by holding tail of the filament to the spool with your finger then secure the end.
Trim end at 45 degree angle then put away.

Troubleshooting

See Print Quality Troubleshooting.

Accessories

Nozzles

All of our printers use 0.4mm brass nozzles with an extrusion width of 0.45mm.

Print Sheets

The i3 MK3S+ printers have removable PEI spring steel print sheets that attach to the print bed magnetically. This is the surface that the filament actually prints onto.

The print sheet effects adhesion of the filament printing, ease of removal of your print and the texture of bottom of the print.

There are three types of print sheets:

Textured PEI powder-coated
Smooth PEI
Satin powder-coated

The choice of print sheet type will depend on the filament you are printing according to the Materials Table.

Print sheets have slight variants in coating thickness which means that each sheet must be individually calibrated and saved to a steel sheet profile on each machine. It is important to select the print sheet that has been calibrated for your chosen printer.

Proper cleaning and care of print sheets greatly effect the adhesion of filament and quality of prints.

Do not touch the surface of the print sheet. The oils from your skin will effect adhesion.
Wait for the print to cool down completely before removing your print. Attempting to prematurely removing the print may remove material from the coating and degrade the sheet.
Clean the print sheet before (and after) every print. The choice of cleaning solution will effect the adhesion of filament depending on material.

Materials

Filament

Denhac provides a variety of filament colors and materials to members for printing.

Files & Resources

Specifications

Name	Orange Prusa	Black Prusa	Blue Prusa
Serial No.
Access*	orangeprusa.inside.denhac.org	blackprusa.inside.denhac.org	blueprusa.inside.denhac.org
Slack Bot	@OrangePrusa	@BlackPrusa	@BluePrusa

Manufacturer	Prusa
Year Released	2020
Model	i3 MK3S+
Software	OctoPrint
Technology	Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Build Area (HWD)	25×21×21 cm (9.84″×8.3″×8.3″)
Layer Height	0.05 – 0.35 mm
Max Speed	200+ mm/s
Max Nozzle Temp	300 °C / 572 °F
Max Heatbed Temp	20 °C / 248 °F
Top Resolution	50 microns
Filament diameter	1.75 mm

Only available onsite. Access not granted until training is complete.

Wiki