3D printer thread - what have you been printing? - Creationism Corner

It's always horrible when things go wrong with your printer, luckily it sounds like its an easy fix when it's just a print bed. So i finally finished putting together the main part of the Metro Cop mask. I still need to print out the ears and battery back that will fit in the back for the voice changer. [img]http://i.imgur.com/H9T3Hmd.jpg[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/d9wlF20.jpg[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/s7siwyS.jpg[/img]

it's hard to imagine that's printed, you did an amazing job with it.

Whats a good software to make models in, that I can reasonably teach myself to use? Ive been using sketchup for really basic stuff but it seems kinda shitty for doing more complicated stuff, unless Im missing something (I am using the free version).

Blender

Max, if you can get it.

Max is what i use.

Google sketchup

Even though I got the new and flat glass plate... I still have adhesion issues :v: printing PLA, the heatbed is at 80 (quite high for PLA, but hell I'm trying everything) and the nozzle is at 200. Most of the PLA stays in place, but it refuses to stick when for example creating a circle for a (3mm) screw hole. Could it be because of the fact that I didn't clean the glass plate with an alcohol? I'm using some kind of power cleaner as that's the only thing we have, and it certainly [I]looks[/I] clean, but that doesn't say a lot. I've had worse results when putting the nozzle real close to the bed to create a squished layer. Everything would curl back to the nozzle and just not stay down. If it wouldn't just curl back up it'd solve a lot of issues.

[QUOTE=scratch (nl);46910154]Even though I got the new and flat glass plate... I still have adhesion issues :v: printing PLA, the heatbed is at 80 (quite high for PLA, but hell I'm trying everything) and the nozzle is at 200. Most of the PLA stays in place, but it refuses to stick when for example creating a circle for a (3mm) screw hole. Could it be because of the fact that I didn't clean the glass plate with an alcohol? I'm using some kind of power cleaner as that's the only thing we have, and it certainly [I]looks[/I] clean, but that doesn't say a lot. I've had worse results when putting the nozzle real close to the bed to create a squished layer. Everything would curl back to the nozzle and just not stay down. If it wouldn't just curl back up it'd solve a lot of issues.[/QUOTE] You want a solvent cleaner with no soap, perfume or other added stuff that might remain. This is why people use stuff like Alcohol or Acetone. It cleans the surface in a harsh way, essentially destroying oil or gum residue and then evaporates away. Have you tried a quick application of glue stick on the glass?

glue stick! I forgot about that yeah. I just want it to adhere in some way that does not involve anything that could affect the print itself badly, i.e. blue painter's tape where it's so bad (in my case) that the bottom is just blue permanently. [editline]12th January 2015[/editline] -snip- nvm got a bottle of acetone

I use this to clean my bed [url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G7PJAC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/url] and then cheap scentless hairspray to get good adhesion. Also how close is your print head to the bed? You want it to be about the thickness of a piece of paper.

Getting my first 3D printer tomorrow and trying to soak in as much information - I'm super worried that I'm going to jump in and try to get it running as quick as possible and end up with a horrific jam. How bad is the smell of ABS I've read some pretty bad things about it but my room is fairly big and well ventilated. I'm also drawn between doing many small prints first (while I get used to it/tweak the settings) vs doing a few 10+ hour prints of things I'm super keen on printing. This is pretty high up on my list of things to do: [url]http://www.printednest.com[/url] On a different note - anyone seen all of the silly ads in the UK for the 3d-printer magazine? [url]http://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/2surf3/lots_of_adverts_in_the_uk_for_this_magazine/[/url]

[QUOTE=Timebomb575;46908384]Whats a good software to make models in, that I can reasonably teach myself to use? Ive been using sketchup for really basic stuff but it seems kinda shitty for doing more complicated stuff, unless Im missing something (I am using the free version).[/QUOTE] Autodesk 123D is my go to for simplistic stuff, but I've since moved on to Solidworks for the stuff I do at work because it's pretty fantastic for making parametric shit. Also, what's the best low price printer I can buy? I have a Mendel at work, but I want to get something for home. Is the printerbot metal any good, any experience on here with it?

[QUOTE=Jonzky;46962897]Getting my first 3D printer tomorrow and trying to soak in as much information - I'm super worried that I'm going to jump in and try to get it running as quick as possible and end up with a horrific jam. How bad is the smell of ABS I've read some pretty bad things about it but my room is fairly big and well ventilated. I'm also drawn between doing many small prints first (while I get used to it/tweak the settings) vs doing a few 10+ hour prints of things I'm super keen on printing. This is pretty high up on my list of things to do: [url]http://www.printednest.com[/url] On a different note - anyone seen all of the silly ads in the UK for the 3d-printer magazine? [url]http://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/2surf3/lots_of_adverts_in_the_uk_for_this_magazine/[/url][/QUOTE] I would try and stick with PLA at 1st, it doesn't smell at all and is A LOT easier to work with. The only time I would use ABS is to print out extra parts for my printer since they are more heat resistant then PLA.

[QUOTE=Jonzky;46962897]Getting my first 3D printer tomorrow and trying to soak in as much information - I'm super worried that I'm going to jump in and try to get it running as quick as possible and end up with a horrific jam. How bad is the smell of ABS I've read some pretty bad things about it but my room is fairly big and well ventilated. I'm also drawn between doing many small prints first (while I get used to it/tweak the settings) vs doing a few 10+ hour prints of things I'm super keen on printing. This is pretty high up on my list of things to do: [url]http://www.printednest.com[/url] On a different note - anyone seen all of the silly ads in the UK for the 3d-printer magazine? [url]http://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/2surf3/lots_of_adverts_in_the_uk_for_this_magazine/[/url][/QUOTE] If you're using good filament and don't run the nozzle into the bed you won't get jams. Just take it easy, follow the first flight guide for your printer and have fun experimenting. Don't be deterred if print quality is below expectations as you'll find that tweaking settings over time and learning the ropes of your printer will increase it. Personally, I avoided (and to some extent still do) larger prints. Unless you have everything running super reliable and in a predictable way, you run the risk of wasting a sizeable chunk of filament.

Been a Berserk fan for a long time, and decided to 3D print a keychain. [img]http://thingiverse-production.s3.amazonaws.com/renders/df/c4/db/54/5b/IMG_0616.JPG_preview_featured.jpg[/img] [url]http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:148914[/url]

[QUOTE=dark soul;46965269]I would try and stick with PLA at 1st, it doesn't smell at all and is A LOT easier to work with. The only time I would use ABS is to print out extra parts for my printer since they are more heat resistant then PLA.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=HiddenMyst;46965590]If you're using good filament and don't run the nozzle into the bed you won't get jams. Just take it easy, follow the first flight guide for your printer and have fun experimenting. Don't be deterred if print quality is below expectations as you'll find that tweaking settings over time and learning the ropes of your printer will increase it. Personally, I avoided (and to some extent still do) larger prints. Unless you have everything running super reliable and in a predictable way, you run the risk of wasting a sizeable chunk of filament.[/QUOTE] Thanks for the advice. I'll give PLA a try when it arrives (which is hopefully in the next few days) - but I only have a spool of ABS atm. The first thing I noticed (and maybe I'm just an idiot) but a spool of filament is not an easy thing to keep ordered/neat - within the first few minutes of taking it out it was a like broken slinky undoing itself. It somehow managed to knot itself and I had to spend some time sorting it out :P I'm running a relatively small test print at the moment that hopefully will run okay. A bit of a silly question (but I've searched around and I'm not sure) - but can printers detect jams/stop if an error happens? Like if I leave it running overnight is that fine to do without risking having an error go on for 8 hours (fair enough if there is an issue, especially this early on - I just don't want to waste filament/risk the machine if it goes on for a long time)? Edit: First print came out great - way better then I ever imagined (I expected it to fail). Bring on the bird-feeder tomorrow :P

[QUOTE=Jonzky;46969003]Thanks for the advice. I'll give PLA a try when it arrives (which is hopefully in the next few days) - but I only have a spool of ABS atm. The first thing I noticed (and maybe I'm just an idiot) but a spool of filament is not an easy thing to keep ordered/neat - within the first few minutes of taking it out it was a like broken slinky undoing itself. It somehow managed to knot itself and I had to spend some time sorting it out :P I'm running a relatively small test print at the moment that hopefully will run okay. A bit of a silly question (but I've searched around and I'm not sure) - but can printers detect jams/stop if an error happens? Like if I leave it running overnight is that fine to do without risking having an error go on for 8 hours (fair enough if there is an issue, especially this early on - I just don't want to waste filament/risk the machine if it goes on for a long time)?[/QUOTE] There is no error checking on all the printers that I know, i usually just make sure the first 10 layers are down and properly stuck to the bed, and then go do something else, crossing my fingers.

[QUOTE=dark soul;46965269]I would try and stick with PLA at 1st, it doesn't smell at all and is A LOT easier to work with. The only time I would use ABS is to print out extra parts for my printer since they are more heat resistant then PLA.[/QUOTE] PLA does smell - it's just a lot less pungent. [editline]20th January 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Jonzky;46969003] The first thing I noticed (and maybe I'm just an idiot) but a spool of filament is not an easy thing to keep ordered/neat - within the first few minutes of taking it out it was a like broken slinky undoing itself. It somehow managed to knot itself and I had to spend some time sorting it out :P I'm running a relatively small test print at the moment that hopefully will run okay. A bit of a silly question (but I've searched around and I'm not sure) - but can printers detect jams/stop if an error happens? Like if I leave it running overnight is that fine to do without risking having an error go on for 8 hours (fair enough if there is an issue, especially this early on - I just don't want to waste filament/risk the machine if it goes on for a long time)? [/QUOTE] You will spend a lot of time playing with your spool of material (make sure it doesn't get tangled or trapped!) No, error checking isn't a thing - that's why you often have to get them set up just so. My printer is a bit more homebrew than a kit so it's kind of quirky. Cute, but it does mean that even after I have it set up and calibrated to a point where I'm satisfied I have to check on it every 15 mins or so if I'm not in the same room. Generally I just set up a second laptop and sit next to it.

[QUOTE=metallics;46975459]PLA does smell - it's just a lot less pungent.[/QUOTE] I don't know if it's just the PLA that I get or if people's description of PLA's smell being much more extreme than mine, but PLA has never filled the room with smell. I get wafts of it when I'm right up looking at the printer, about half a meter from the hotend but it's never been like what I briefly experienced when using ABS. Not by a long shot.

Under no circumstances buy Sainsmart spools, the spool bits are too small for all the filament and it tangles easily.

[QUOTE=HiddenMyst;46976682]I don't know if it's just the PLA that I get or if people's description of PLA's smell being much more extreme than mine, but PLA has never filled the room with smell. I get wafts of it when I'm right up looking at the printer, about half a meter from the hotend but it's never been like what I briefly experienced when using ABS. Not by a long shot.[/QUOTE] Mine lives in a rather confined space which is probably why I get the smell of it more and I wholeheartedly agree ABS is much stronger.

Spent 3 days trying to print stuff off with PLA I got off amazon, I've resigned to the fact it was shit quality (though I don't know what good quality stuff looks like) Ended up ordering this the minute I realized they made filament. [T]http://i.imgur.com/cMfGkF0.jpg[/T]

[QUOTE=Jonzky;46993863]Spent 3 days trying to print stuff off with PLA I got off amazon, I've resigned to the fact it was shit quality (though I don't know what good quality stuff looks like) Ended up ordering this the minute I realized they made filament. [T]http://i.imgur.com/cMfGkF0.jpg[/T][/QUOTE] I guess since the advent of flash drives, they've had to move away from CDs.

A work colleague just got a robox printer. He's only printed test models so far but they're coming out super nice. My camera mount for my motorbike broke so I created my own one in blender and asked him to print it for me! [img_thumb]http://tbx.me/kP0na.png[/img_thumb] Had some issues with the STL exporting scaling all weird but I think i've got it sorted out. I'll find out later today if it's all good!

[IMG_thumb]http://tbx.me/nEn.jpeg[/IMG_thumb] Print came out! I'll actually get to see it tomorrow

thats pretty decent quality, nice!

[t]http://i.imgur.com/i7RyuJj.jpg[/t] I managed to get about 3/4 of the way to fixing up my hotend when my lighter caught fire, so progress seems to be halted until tomorrow. If I can't manage to get this stupid hexagon to stop jamming on pla, I'm going to need to buy a new hotend. Does anyone have any suggestions for a nice all-metal one, or alternatively, one that's really damn hard to jam?

[t]http://i.imgur.com/FDiC9v8.jpg[/t] Finally managed to get another print out of this damned thing! I'm back to printing! Now I just need to print some fan shrouds to solve the horrible looking overhangs that this printer turns out right now.