:space_invader: 3D printer manual

Location: Kanthaus electronics workshop in K22.

Description

The printer model is Prusa i3, despite what the labels say.

The extruder nozzle is 0.5mm in size.

The currently used plastic is PLA.

Get a .stl file
Install slicing software (e.g. Cura)
Load the .stl file into the slicing software
Slice! (Enter/verify settings for the printer when prompted.) You’ll get a .gcode file.

Plug in the power cable
Install monitoring software (e.g. Cura, pronterface)
Plug in USB cable
Start the monitoring software
If the printer is not detected, choose the serial port (/dev/ttyUSB*) and model and connect

Moving the bed using the built in controls is possible but time-consuming. Here’s instructions for the laptop.

Click the “home” button
Raise the extruder by 2cm using the software controls.
Move the extruder near one of the corners closer to you (doesn’t have to be very close).
Lower the extruder step by step without hitting the bed. The green LED will light when the extruder is close to the bed. Pay attention to that moment.
Lower the extruder until it touches the bed. If it doesn’t, raise it until the LED goes dark, and then turn the screw under the corner on the bed so that the LED shines. Raise the bed by 1-2mm. Careful - if the bed is very uneven, the screw will turn without effect. Then just continue.
Raise the extruder to the point where the LED goes dark. Then lower it a little so it’s lit. Press on the bed - the LED should go dark again.
Move the extruder sideways to the next corner, by small steps. When the LED goes dark, adjust the screw in the target corner. Set it so that pressing on the bed turns off the LED.
When the corner is reached, move to the next corner. Do about 2 laps.

The printing will begin by heating the extruder and the bed. Then the actual plastic will start coming out.