3D Printing Stack Exchange
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1500 questions
16
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7 answers

Printing screws - is the output usable? (M3 or M4)

I just want to ask if anyone has successfully printed a screw (M3 or M4). Is the printed output usable as a screw? What printer is capable of printing screws? I am using an M3D printer - is there a configuration to successfully print a screw that is…
xybrek
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What is the purpose of asterix (*) in Gcode?

Doing some low level monitoring, the following sequence is sent to the printer: N0 M106*36 N1 G28*18 N2 M107*39 This sequence just turns the fan on, homes the printer, then turns the fan off. Question: What is the purpose of the asterix/star/(*)…
Mtl Dev
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What is stopping us from mixing 3D filament colors in an Extruder?

This came up in one of my groups today. That we could not color bend, or mix 3d printing filaments. I have researched but I am not finding anything talking about Plastic mixing in an extruder. Why is it that we cannot take say a Diamond hotend, or a…
JJJ
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5 answers

Using dollar-store picture glass for print bed on top of original heated aluminum bed?

I'm having a really hard time printing on my aluminum heated bed... Cleaning it just results in it being scratched (trying to scrape dried hairspray/glue/etc off) and I don't think it is particularly flat either. I was thinking of stopping by the…
BunnyKnitter
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16
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5 answers

My heated glass print bed keeps chipping and cracking. How can I prevent this?

My thermoplastic FDM printer has a heated bed and uses glass as the printing surface. Sometimes the glass will chip or break entirely when I'm removing my print. This happens most often when the print has a large area in contact with the glass. What…
Marsh
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Efficient and easy way to thermally insulate the heat block of the hotend?

Sparked by this question, I wanted to discuss the most efficient and also the easiest ways of thermally insulating the heat block of the hotend. I have seen Kapton tape insulations as done here with a very conclusive resumee about its usefulness. In…
kamuro
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1 answer

Why does hairspray work as an adhesive for ABS?

Since I have a 3D printer, I worked primarily with printing ABS. I tried multiple methods for adhesion (various soluble glues, ABS juice) but always had the most success with hairspray on clean borosilicate glass, as long as I print with a bed…
TheEquah
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6 answers

Which endstops are most precise?

I have seen mechanical (micro switch), optical and magnetic(magnet + hall sensor) end stops. Are there any differences in how exact they switch at the right location? If so which are the most precise?
Lars Pötter
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15
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6 answers

Safety precautions when using acetone

Acetone can be used to smooth ABS prints. What safety precautions should be taken during its use?
Eric Johnson
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15
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2 answers

Can I 3D-print a PET bottle?

I want to print a transparent PET bottle for my homemade lemonades and thought about 3D-printing them. I would like the printed bottle's quality to be as fine as a Coca-Cola PET bottle for coke and the printing substrate or material be something…
linker
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How to center my prints on the build platform? (Re-calibrate homing offset)

When I print large prints close to (but not exceeding) the maximum dimensions of the heated build platform on my Anet A8, the brim or skirt or the print itself is printed outside the heated bed, while there is some space left at the opposite sites.…
0scar
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15
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4 answers

What are the pros and cons of collecting parts yourself, versus getting a DIY kit and then modifying it?

I'm thinking about buliding my own 3D printer from scratch. Is it better to buy a starter DIY kit and try to build your printer around it, or to order separate parts for printer, and then to combine a printer?
Josip Ivic
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2 answers

Are there biocompatible materials available to the general public?

I am currently working on parts for a custom prosthesis. My main concern at the moment is to find biocompatible materials that can be 3D printed from a UP or a Reprap. The piece would need to be in contact with the skin for extended periods of time,…
Silver Quettier
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How to build CuraEngine?

I've been trying to build CuraEngine on Ubuntu following the Github instructions. The problem is that it lists some requirements: Clone the CuraEngine repository; Install Protobuf (see below); Install libArcus. I'm not sure where should I install…
Jorge Cuevas
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15
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6 answers

Choose infill percentage

Since I'm running a 3D printing facility of an engineering school, students are always wondering how much infill percentage affects the stiffness of the part. I know that it is impossible to get a numerical solution for this question, but maybe…
Anton Osadchy
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