So I’m soon to buy my first 3D printer, and I’ve settled on a printrbot simple.
I have no experience with code or 3D graphics currently, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice regarding what first steps I should take once my printer comes in.
In terms of design, go to Thingiverse and look at something simple and download the .scad file. Edit it in OpenScad and see how it changes. Hopefully this will get you familiar with disorienting parts, like the Translate and Rotate functions.
Then create your own stuff from scratch and try to see how it comes out.
@Robert_Gorman_GoGoCh I got a Printrbot Jr. a few weeks ago. The first thing I did was install @Repetier and download a simple design from @Thingiverse (I did this: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:89183). Try the print and see how it goes. My first few prints were “stringy” (http://www.printrbottalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=6146&sid=04cb538c8c30b9476de515a714dfcff9). You can always ask people on http://printrbottalk.com for help.
Are you getting the Printrbot Simple Metal?
Sameer beat me to it-- yes, check out the printrbottalk forum and join in if you run into trouble.
No, I was gonna go with the kit version. I’m pretty handy with building things, so I feel confident that I can manage that part at least.
I just finished calibrating mine last week! There are a ton of great guides out there to help you calibrate once it’s built. Here are two of the guides that I used.
http://www.printrbottalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5446#p35564
http://zheng3.com/2013/06/02/calibrating-the-printrbot-simple/
Keep in mind that you always want to perform mechanical alignments before software alignments. So bed alignment/leveling should be first on the list. Also, since the 2014 model uses some different hardware, set your steps per mm in the EEPROM as follows: X=84.5, Y=84.5, Z=2020, E=94 This should get you printing.
@Robert_Gorman_GoGoCh Reckon that’s an excellent way to learn. We didn’t go kit route and so 3D terminology much harder to pick up. I’ve noticed that in this community, the people who’ve built are in general progressing faster with their prints. Must be like learning to drive (stick) if you understand the engine!
@Robert_Gorman_GoGoCh do keep in mind there is a significant capability gap between the Old simple wood and the new simple metal (kit versions, 350 vs 540 bucks, so there’s that, as well).
@Robert_Gorman_GoGoCh temps, speed, and other settings may cause you to believe you’ve done something wrong in assembly, tweak the settings first before you turn any screws. Don’t listen to people about temps. Make that hot end hot enough so the plastic flows out smoothly. Lower the temp slowly till your prints are smoother, but don’t go too low. PLA varies from batch to batch and color to color. 220 C is perfectly acceptable temp. People who say otherwise have poorly calibrated temp.
FYI: There’s a $199 printer with better stats than printbot if you’re going to be building anyway. QDB or something, search for $200 printer you’ll find it.
You might be talking about makibot, but really, don’t get that right now, there seem to be some bugs.
@Jasper_Janssen no this one… (http://www.gizmag.com/qu-bd-one-up-3d-printer/29760/ ) From the manufacturer that sells stuff to printbot and others.
@Jasper_Janssen You mentioned people have said it was buggy, can you or anyone else reading this, link a video or blog confirming that people were having problems with it?
What I’m really interested in now is printing with wood filament. Do you think this printer can handle it?
Depends on the extruder but it should
@Robert_Gorman_GoGoCh you needed to use pla, or something with a low warp. I think there is wood filled pla, that should work fine.
Seriously get the simple. If is an awesome bot. The support is great, the upgrades are endless. The makibox has more issues, tube qubd community isn’t as big
Stringy prints will happen on every bot until you get it dialed in, that takes some practice.
Honestly I might wait one month, as @Brook_Drumm is planning on a new version to be released soon.
For cad, the easiest on to get familiar with is http://tinkercad.com
First thing you should do is read the instructions, they are good, but especially the software bits, then level the print bed, then print a really simple model (a cube, or clip or something) then start playing with settings for the print… ask what the settings changing, learn as much as you can about why the settings are there. One you understand that you will be printing like a pro.
I appreciate the advice, bit I ordered the QU-BD Two Up over a month ago. lol
@Robert_Gorman_GoGoCh Fair enough. there are some mods that @Joseph_Chiu did that dramatically improved the quality. you may try those.