Author: 3dprinterbank

Aussie keen to join the 3D printing party! Advice Welcome!

G’day, first time posting here. I’ve been reading the RepRap wiki and r/3Dprinting since last year and have decided to jump in and buy a printer. I’m keen to learn and at the stage where I need to discuss details.BackgroundBudget: ~$2000AU for initial kit, all upgrades, tools and starter filament. (Open to putting more than that in if it’s truly worth it)Occupation: Mechanical Engineer / Physicist / Draftsman / 3D Laser ScannerLocation: Near Townsville, North Queensland, Australia (for availability advice)Purpose: Print models that I design in AutoCAD, print meshed models from laser scan data (I can convert these to STL files) and print other cool stuff.Software: I have 3D modelling, drafting and laser scaning software packages and experience. I have also played around with Slic3r to get the feel for it.DIYness: Let’s do this. I have patience and robotics, machining, coding, troubleshooting experience. However, I’ve never worked hands-on with a 3D printer (yet smiling smiley ).From what I’ve read the Prusa i3 (and the many many derivatives) can be upgraded heaps to produce high quality prints reliably. I would prefer to spend the money and build the printer with upgraded parts from the get go if that is advised. I am a first timer, but am keen to have a go at a higher end build. Most of my designs and models are quite detailed so a precise printer that can handle overhangs well is needed.Questions!Which Prusa i3 kit/derivative would you recommend (I’ve had my eye a Hephestos)? If not a Prusa i3 based, which reprap kit would you recommend?Links of said recommended kit online for me to throw money at? (Do these Hephestos or basic i3 look legit?Are there any specific components or build technics (e.g. hot end, electronics etc.) that you would say “Yes, better than sliced bread, do it this way”What am I overlooking?(different aim) My laser scan data models are often meshes, not solids yet I can still make STL files from them. How do I make these printable?Be blunt and honest, I’m here to learn. Cheers. http://ift.tt/28QGyR8

Maker select leveling issues

When I try to level my print bed, I end up with the lower left and upper right corners backed all the way out, and the bottom right corner squashed all the way in as far as it can possibly go. I’ve had my base plate off to make sure it isn’t warped, and it is fine. I also loosened and tightened my Y rods to try and make sure they are straight. My Z axis is also straight. Whether I have the heat bed mounted or not, the bottom left corner of the plate is 1.5mm above the edge of the frame, and the bottom right is 3.9mm. I checked the plate with a ruler, and it doesn’t look like it’s permanently warped. It’s just sitting crooked enough that I can’t get my bed leveled. Hopefully you can tell by this photo.I tried adding washers under the springs of the corners that are backed out and that helped me get it level, but then the top right corner of the plate was flexed downwards, causing it to crash into the frame when I tried to home Y.The crazy thing is the problem actually got worse over time. I’ve done several nice prints off of this thing, but the last time I tried, it was so bad that I couldn’t home with the print bed on it. If I force it level with washers, there’s too much tension on the plate and it bends and hits the frame. I thought about adding washers under the plate, between it and the bearing blocks, in order to get the plate itself level, but I feel like I might be overlooking something. Any ideas? http://ift.tt/28UIGcd

Using Cura with Flashforge Creator Pro? When I try and print my build plate goes all the way to the bottom of my machine and keeps trying to go?

Hey everyone, I’m trying to use Cura on my Flashforge Creator Pro. After I slice in Cura, I open the gcode in ReplicatorG to convert it to .x3g so my printer can read it. However, when I just tried starting the print, my build plate rushed the bottom and kept trying to go. What do I do?((I’m trying not to use ReplicatorG because it takes WAY too long to slice (almost a full hour for a small object), and because as of recently my FFCP would randomly stop printing an object partially through and say it was done))I would really appreciate any help. Thank you http://ift.tt/28UuakX

Where to buy a sample of different kinds of filament

I see lots of color assortments of PLA and ABS, but I’d like to get a sample of multiple types of material (flexible, nylon, glass-like, etc) to try out and see what works / doesn’t work with my printer (MP Maker, fwiw) and get a feel for how finicky certain materials will be without having to by lb/kg rolls and spending several hundred dollars up front. Any suggestions? http://ift.tt/28P4JwI