Lesson 3 - Your First Print!

Your First Print!

Now that you have learns about the process and our machine, you are ready for the big leagues! 

For your first print we have provided three simple .stl files for your first print: star.stl Download star.stl, speechbubble.stl Download speechbubble.stl, or heart.stl Download heart.stl. Choose one to download and load into Cura. 

Below are the written directions, but there is also this video that will walk you through the process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmfcNPffbHE Links to an external site.

Open Cura. It should look like this. Click “load model” and select your model to print.

After it loads, click on your model to select it.

There are a few import things to note:

1.  Once the model is loaded, it will show the print time, meters used, and grams. This is useful to know if you have limited filament left.
2. This is your model and its placement on the bed. You can click and move it around if necessary.  Make sure it is centered on the bed.
3.  This menu below allows you rotate, scale and mirror your object. You shouldn’t have to worry about any of that right now.

Check the settings. There are two types: quick print settings and full settings. You can switch between them in the menu

They should look like this:

Quick print  and Full settings

Quick print is to the right and full print is to the left, you can switch between them but clicking Expert at top, and then switch to quick print or quick to full print. The setting for this print should look like the ones show above. If you Beginner and then Village Plastic PLA in quick print mode, all of the setting will be set correctly in full print mode.

Next, get the SD card out of the side of the printer and plug it into your computer. In Cura click on the save .gcode button at the top and choose the SD card. This will put your .gcode file right on the card.

You can also save your .gcode file onto your computer for later by going File -> Save Gcode

Printing your Model

Load your SD card into the TAZ 6 and click the button to get into the menu. Select “Print from SD” and select your file.

The machine will automatically start warming up the bed. Once that is ready it will level the bed by touching the nozzle to the 4 corners, and then heat up the nozzle. The whole process takes about 5-10 mins. Don’t worry if it doesn’t start right away it takes some time.

Once it is ready, the machine will start printing.

Don’t worry if the first few lines are stringy. If the machine continues being stringy beyond the first lines, then you will need to stop the machine and troubleshoot.

(there it goes!)

 Once your print is done the machine will cool down the bed and extend it out.

Your print is ready! Pop it off with the knife and treasure it!

You did it!

You have a sweet 3D print now! Be proud!

Take a picture and submit it for this assignment!