{"id":4086,"date":"2021-03-29T17:48:08","date_gmt":"2021-03-29T15:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ab3d.at\/12-points-you-should-do-before-each-print\/"},"modified":"2023-04-13T16:11:01","modified_gmt":"2023-04-13T14:11:01","slug":"12-points-you-should-do-before-each-print","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ab3d.at\/en\/12-points-you-should-do-before-each-print\/","title":{"rendered":"12 points you should do before each print"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you do a certain activity over a long period of time, many actions simply become routine. This also includes, for example, the preparation of a CAD model or the preparation of the printer for printing. And yet it happens again and again that after starting the print job you realize that you have forgotten an activity. Sometimes this is not so bad and everything goes smoothly, but sometimes this results in the print failing or you have to cancel the print. With the 12 points presented here, you are well prepared for printing and can save yourself a lot of time, material and hassle. <\/p>\n\n

  1. Check the CAD model for errors.<\/strong><\/li>
  2. Split the CAD model if it is larger than the printer’s build envelope.<\/strong><\/li>
  3. Place the CAD model so that you need as little support material as possible.<\/strong><\/li>
  4. Use the optimal object-related print settings (nozzle diameter, layer height, filling level, …)<\/strong><\/li>
  5. Configure the optimal filament settings to match the material.<\/strong><\/li>
  6. Check if you have enough material on hand for the print job.<\/strong><\/li>
  7. Check the quality of the filament and dry it if necessary.<\/strong><\/li>
  8. Check the condition of the filament spool. Watch for tangles in the filament.<\/strong><\/li>
  9. Check the condition of the nozzle. Change them depending on the condition, diameter used and material.<\/strong><\/li>
  10. Check the printer for obvious damage.<\/strong><\/li>
  11. Clean\/replace the print platform if necessary.<\/strong><\/li>
  12. Perform a calibration of the heating bed from time to time.<\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n

    Despite following these 12 points, no one can guarantee that no print job will fail or that everything will run smoothly. Nevertheless, compliance with these points reduces the occurrence of errors or problems during printing. In the following article, I go into a little more detail and explain what to do at each step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. check the CAD model for errors<\/h2>\n\n

    CAD models that you download in STL format<\/a> from platforms such as thingiverse<\/a> or the like, or export from your CAD tool, may have errors in the surface. This happens either when an error occurs during export or when the model is exported with too low a resolution. This does not properly create the mesh of polygons typical of the STL format. The CAD model suddenly has holes, edges with multiple connections (non-manifold edges) or intersecting faces (self-intersecting faces).<\/p>\n\n

    The most common slicers offer functions by default to detect the object for errors. Some slicers perform the checks and also corrections automatically, others offer a check that has to be called explicitly. Not all slicers offer the possibility of a repair, or if they do, it is not guaranteed that it will fix the problem.<\/p>\n\n

    Therefore, it is recommended to directly use special tools. Among others, the tools netfabb<\/a>, Materialise Cloud<\/a>, MeshMixer<\/a> or Microsoft 3D Builder<\/a> should be mentioned here. Not to mention my personal favorite, this Cloud STL repair service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n