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Printing is the process of creating a physical model from your 3d data. | Printing is the process of creating a physical model from your 3d data. | ||
===Before you print=== | ===Before you print=== | ||
Before touching the printer make sure you have at least once flipped through the manual. A printed version of the manual is somewhere around the printer. If it's not, go and [http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=80&Itemid=100009#Documentation download it (Under RapMan Version 3.1 Manuals chose Operations Manual)]. | |||
The are a few things you should do before actually printing your model. You have to chose the right filament to print with and you have to check the printer for parts that might have become loose during a previous print. | The are a few things you should do before actually printing your model. You have to chose the right filament to print with and you have to check the printer for parts that might have become loose during a previous print. | ||
====Choose your filament==== | ====Choose your filament==== | ||
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====Checking for loose parts==== | ====Checking for loose parts==== | ||
During the printing process parts might become loose. Mostly these are the screws on anything that is moving. Some places you should check are the screws of the x- and y-stepper motor pulleys. And the screws of the extruder gears. Also check if the belts are tight enough. Loose parts will make your print look ugly. | During the printing process parts might become loose. Mostly these are the screws on anything that is moving. Some places you should check are the screws of the x- and y-stepper motor pulleys. And the screws of the extruder gears. Also check if the belts are tight enough. Loose parts will make your print look ugly. | ||
===Printing=== | ===Printing=== | ||
Printing is fairly easy. Copy the G-code file to the sd card, put it into the RapMan controller and power it on. Then select you file and run it. | Printing is fairly easy. Copy the G-code file to the sd card, put it into the RapMan controller and power it on. Then select you file and run it. | ||
Revision as of 16:54, 8 August 2010
Preparing your data
Printing
Printing is the process of creating a physical model from your 3d data.
Before you print
Before touching the printer make sure you have at least once flipped through the manual. A printed version of the manual is somewhere around the printer. If it's not, go and download it (Under RapMan Version 3.1 Manuals chose Operations Manual).
The are a few things you should do before actually printing your model. You have to chose the right filament to print with and you have to check the printer for parts that might have become loose during a previous print.
Choose your filament
Chosing the right filament for your print is important, the different materials have different properties that might influence your print. There is a good overview of commonly used materials over at the BfB Wiki.
Checking for loose parts
During the printing process parts might become loose. Mostly these are the screws on anything that is moving. Some places you should check are the screws of the x- and y-stepper motor pulleys. And the screws of the extruder gears. Also check if the belts are tight enough. Loose parts will make your print look ugly.
Printing
Printing is fairly easy. Copy the G-code file to the sd card, put it into the RapMan controller and power it on. Then select you file and run it.
After you print
After your object is printed there are some steps you might want to do:
- Remove the raft
- Remove any excess filament
- Redrill holes
Removing the raft shouldn't be too hard, use a sharp knife for this task. The extruder leaves some excess filament when it does hard turns or stops for a moment. The excess material creates visible seams on your object. The best way to remove them is to use a knife and cut off anything thats big and comes off easily. Anything else must be sanded. Use sandpaper or the band sander from the workshop. Holes in your object will not have the exact diameter as in your 3d model. Use the stand drill to redrill any holes that must have a specific diameter. When using a drill on plastic never use high rpm or the plastic will melt and destroy you drill bit.