3D Printing

We have many 3D printers. All of them are fused filament fabrication (FFF) printers. A variety of thermoplastic filament materials can be printed, but not all available printers are capable of these.

All of Fat Cat Fab Lab's 3D printers were graciously donated or found. Special thanks to Matt Griffin of Ultimaker, 3D Hubs, SeeMeCNC, Emily Chapman, Smooth Technology, Daniel Buk for the Raise3D, and Nice Person Calvin for the Prusa Mini!!!

3D printers at Fat Cat Fab Lab

Certifications

There is no certification to use these machines. However, our 3D Print 101 class is highly recommended for first time users.

3D Printers

Fat Cat Fab Lab 3D Printers and Specifications
(in alphabetical order)
Make	Name	Model	Filament Size [mm]	Nozzle Size [mm]	Extruder(s) / Drive	Build Volume	Slicer	Notes
Flashforge	Pooh Bear	Creator Pro (More specs)	1.75	0.4	Dual Direct	227 × 148 × 150 mm 8.9 × 5.8 × 5.9 in	FlashPrint / Ultimaker Cura w/ plugin	Dual extrusion. Tricky to set up Cura.
Prusa	Lemon Bot!	Prusa Mini+	1.75	0.4	Single Bowden	180 × 180 × 180 mm 7.0 × 7.0 × 7.0 in	PrusaSlicer / Ultimaker Cura	User manual Setting up in Cura (5.X Windows path: C:\Program Files\Ultimaker Cura 5.0.0\share\cura\resources
Raise3D	?	Raise3D Pro2 Plus	1.75	0.4	Dual Direct	305 × 305 × 605 mm 12 × 12 × 23.8 in	IdeaMaker	Use rafts. Currently awaiting bed renovation. Slack Damon for assistance
SeeMeCNC	Watch this space	Hacker H2	1.75	0.5	Single Bowden	175 (Dia) × 200 mm 6.9 (Dia) × 7.8 in	Ultimaker Cura	Delta printer. No heated bed. Not operational; needs thermistor replacement Slack Eric for assistance.
SeeMeCNC	Saxon	Rostock MAX V2	1.75	0.5	Single Bowden	280 (Dia) × 375 mm 11 (Dia) × 14.75 in	Ultimaker Cura / MatterControl v1.6.1	Delta printer. Tempermental. Part cooling fan may need attention. Slack Eric for assistance
Ultimaker	Smol :(	Ultimaker 2 Go	2.85	0.4	Single Bowden	120 × 120 × 115 mm 4.7 × 4.7 × 4.5 in.	Ultimaker Cura	PLA only! No heated bed. 0.4 nozzle only. Support (click tabs)
	Felix	Ultimaker 2+	2.85	0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8	Single Bowden	223 × 223 × 205 mm 8.8 × 8.8 × 8.1 in	Ultimaker Cura	Olsson block enables nozzle interchangeability. Support (click tabs)
	Ulti	Ultimaker 2+	2.85	0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8	Single Bowden	223 × 223 × 205 mm 8.8 × 8.8 × 8.1 in	Ultimaker Cura	Olsson block enables nozzle interchangeability. Support (click tabs)
	Ziltoid the Omniscient	Ultimaker 2+ Extended	2.85	0.25, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8	Single Bowden	223 × 223 × 305 mm 8.8 × 8.8 × 12 in	Ultimaker Cura	Olsson block enables nozzle interchangeability. Support (click tabs)
	The Feral Printer	Ultimaker 2+ Z-Unlimited	2.85	0.8	Single Bowden	190 × 190 × 1500 mm 7.5 × 7.5 × 59 in	Ultimaker Cura	PLA only! No heated bed. Olsson block enables nozzle interchangeability.
	UltiMeowMeow	Ultimaker 3	2.85	0.4 Print Core	Dual Bowden	215 × 215 × 200 mm 8.5 × 8.5 × 8 in	Ultimaker Cura	Support User manual Print Core nozzles cannot be changed! Dual printing limits width to 197 mm

Materials Policy

Members are encouraged to bring their own filaments for printing and store them in their bins when done. Below and above the main 3D printing table are various spools of 1.75mm and 2.85mm filament donated by others which are free to use. Any member who leave their spools out, by default, consents other members to use them at will.

Build Plate Preparation

Make sure build plate glass is clean and free of any oils or excessive glue stick by washing with warm water in the sink.

For best results for most materials, apply a thin and even layer of gluestick (two passes, cross-hatched, 0% overlap). Gluestick acts as both an adhesive and release agent (for thick layers) and the amount required is material dependent. For PLA and similar plastics, use two passes -- too much is not good. For CPE & PETG, apply 4 layers for better adhesion and release.

Certain high temp materials will stick strongly to glass and can crack it. For those, it's better to remove the prints before the glass cools fully to prevent this (ex: PC).

Changing Nozzles on Ultimaker 2+ Printers

Please return printers back to 0.4mm after use or leave a note of what size nozzle is installed -- nozzle size indicators are on the printers for this purpose.

Ultimaker printers equipped with Olsson blocks can have their nozzles easily changed. Default for all applicable printers is 0.4mm (excludes Z-Unlimited).

The hot end must be fully heated and material removed prior to changing a nozzle, otherwise damange to the hotend and printhead will occur. The following directions must be followed for nozzle changing.

Directions:

Select 'Material' > 'Change'.
Once the material is removed, use the provided printed torque wrench and socket to unscrew the nozzle. The nozzle is hot so be careful removing it from the socket and place it on the table.
Be sure the nozzle installed is debris free around the seat and threads.
Install your selected nozzle only finger-tight at first. Wait 10 seconds until the nozzle heats up. This allows time for the threads of the nozzle to push through any residual filament in the threads for proper seating in the next step.
Using the printed torque wrench and socket, fully tighten the nozzle into the heater block until you hear clicking (clutch slipping).
Next, either load your filament normally or cancel the material change cycle.
Level the bed. Bed leveling required after a nozzle change since all nozzles are different heights based on aperture diameter and/or wear.

Nozzle Sizes

0.25mm - Greatest resolution, slowest speed.
0.4mm - Best balance of speed and resolution.
0.6mm - Faster speed, moderate resolution.
0.8mm - Fastest speed, lowest resolution.

Ultimaker Nozzle Dimple Codes

Ultimaker nozzles are labeled with nozzle size and/or have dimples to indicate size. The following list only applies to Ultimaker brand nozzles. Other brands may use a different system.

0.25mm - 0 dimples.
0.4mm - 1 dimple.
0.6mm - 2 dimples.
0.8mm - 3 dimples.

Olsson Nozzle Torque Wrench

Files for the torque wrench can be found here: https://www.youmagine.com/designs/nozzle-torque-wrench

Required items: 7mm socket with 1/4" square hole.
Material: PLA+ (proper torque), CPE, PETG
Print settings: 0.15 or 0.20mm layer height; Solid, 10 walls; 95% infill, No supports.

Bed Leveling

Correct bed leveling is the most critical part to ensure successful print adhesion to bed. Adjust bed level and nozzle distance to thickness of Post-It paper (0.1mm). Dragging paper between bed and clean nozzle should have the pressure of "pencil on paper."

Ultimaker Instructions

Slicing

Ultimaker Cura is recommended for slicing files. It's a free and open-source slicing software developed by Ultimaker and is compatible with a wide range of printers from other manufacturers to custom builds.

Tips for Successful Prints

Watch the first layer or two before walking away from the printer. Check soon after that initial layers are adhering well before leaving printer alone.
If your material requires gluestick, be sure to use the right amount, not too much and not too little. See Build Plate Preparation for more info.

Removing Prints

"3d Print Removal Tool" wood block. Slide along glass to knock print off glass.
Scraper. Can be used to peel up edge of print. Good for prints using Brim or Raft.
Tiny printed mallet. Similar to wood block for knocking print off glass.

Troubleshooting

For mechanical and electrical failures of the machines, please stop using the machine and notify the #3dprinting Slack channel with the issue.

Modeling in 3D

Fusion 360 can be used to model your 3D parts. There is a separate page Software modeling which explores modeling software and offers advice and workarounds.

3D Printer Maintenance

Some regular maintenance is required over time. Below are listed roughly in order by descending frequency of required maintenance/adjustment.

Nozzle Cleaning

Nozzles should be kept as clean as possible for best results. Outer edges of nozzle tip can be cleaned by wiping with PLA while the nozzle is hot. Innards of nozzle should be cleaned whenever there is blockage.

Axis Rod Oiling

All smooth rod axes should be and feel lightly oiled, never dry. Oil before they get dry. Use light sewing machine oil. Never use grease! After oiling, with the printer off, move the print head slowly in circles across the full range of motion to distribute oil across rods. Don't forget to oil the smooth Z axis rods.

Leadscrew Greasing

This doesn't need to be done often. When the Z axis leadscrew is dirty or needs regreasing, wipe the leadscrew with a paper towel to remove old grease. Leadscrew should be re-greased (green grease, Magnalube). Spread a few drops of grease along the length of the Z axis leadscrew travel. It helps to use the advanced settings to ask the printer to move the bed up and down the Z axis to work grease into the threads.

Belt Tensioning

Belts should be taught. Loose belts will cause parts to be dimensionally inaccurate in one or more axes (X/Y). This can be viewed easily by printing a cylidrical shape with its axis in the Z-direction. Generally, the belts that need retightening will be the shorter belts on the X/Y motors. First pluck the belt and remember its feel and sound. Loosen the 4 motor mount screws and push down on the top of the motor very hard as you retighten the screws in a star pattern. Pluck the belt and it should twang higher pitched when tightened.

Printhead Axle Squaring

There are 3D printed tools for this for the Ultimakers. Ask David Choi (macakcat) if you'd like to learn how. Instructions here but they aren't fully comprehensive.

Cooling Fan Cleaning

Dust will collect on all fan blades and in the center fan heatsink. Hold the fan blades and blow with compressed air or wipe with damp cloth. Removal of dust collected on center heatsink may require disassembly of the print head. Do not apply strong pressure to the fan blades, they bearings are very fragile and may break.

Using Ultimaker 2+ Z-Unlimited

The Feral Printer was found on the streets of Brooklyn. It's found a new home with us and has been modified into the XXL Z-Unlimited.

Custom Machine Settings

Open Ultimaker Cura and go to "Settings" > "Printer" > "Add Printer" > "Add a non-networked printer" > "Custom" > "Custom FFF Printer". Give it a name, and click “Add”.

In the Machine Settings panel that opens, set these printer parameters:

X (Width) = 190mm
Y (Depth) = 190mm
Z (Height) = 1500mm

Do not enable heated bed.

Next, click the “Extrude” tab and set these parameters:

Nozzle Size = 0.8mm (or whatever is installed)
Compatible Material Diameter = 2.85mm

Printer Settings
Extruder Settings

Important Information

It's not recommended to print anything other than PLA in the machine because it has no heated bed.
Make sure your filament does not have knots in the spool
Be sure filament roll is securely mounted on the spool holder.
Pausing a job before the extruder has cleared the bed-clamps will cause a collision.

Slicing Information

Try to keep the print hollow with 0% infill for really tall parts. But if you need to add infill, you usually don’t need more than 10% infill since the nozzle is a much bigger size

Preparing for a Print on Z-Unlimited

IMPORTANT - Follow these steps exactly!

Raise the printer before loading filament by using the Move command in the menu.
Manually 'Move' filament to prime nozzle before starting print. The filament under-extrudes in the beginning if you don't do this. We could make changes to the firmware but looking for it on the internet is a task the person typing this is not willing to do at the moment.
Commence print file normally.

Using Ultimaker 3

The Ultimaker 3 printer uses print cores. We have 0.4mm AA and BB cores. The nozzles on the cores cannot be changed.

The AA print cores can be used for printing PLA, PLA+, PETG, ABS, CPE, CPE+, Nylon, PC, TPU 95A, PP, and Breakaway. The BB print core can be used for PVA, a water-soluble support material.

Print Core Compatibility

Material compatibility depends on print core type and nozzle size.

PVA cannot be used in AA cores! PVA can only be used in BB cores.

Items marked with 'Exp' are experimental (some tweaking may be needed and your results are not guaranteed).

AA Print Core Compatibility
	0.25 mm	0.4 mm	0.8 mm
ABS	Yes	Yes	Yes
Breakaway	No	Yes	No
CPE	Yes	Yes	Yes
CPE+	No	Yes	Exp
Nylon	Yes	Yes	Yes
PLA	Yes	Yes	Yes
PLA+	Yes	Yes	Yes
PC	Exp	Yes	Exp
PETG	Yes	Yes	Yes
PP	Exp	Yes	Yes
TPU95A	No	Yes	Yes

BB Print Core Compatibility
	0.25 mm	0.4 mm	0.8 mm
PVA	No (n/a)	Yes	Yes

Dual Material Compatibility

These are the possible dual-extrusion material combinations.

Items marked with 'x' are not supported by Ultimaker. 'Exp' are experimental.

Dual Material Compatibility
	PLA	PLA+	PETG	ABS	Nylon	CPE	CPE+	PC	TPU	PP	PVA	BAM
PLA	Yes	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	Yes	Yes
PLA+		Yes	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	x	Yes	Yes
PETG			Yes	x	x	x	x	x	Exp	x	Yes	Yes
ABS				Yes	x	x	x	x	Exp	x	Exp	Yes
Nylon					Exp	x	x	x	Exp	x	Yes	Yes
CPE						Yes	x	x	x	x	Yes	Yes
CPE+							Exp	x	x	x	Exp	Yes
PC								Exp	Exp	x	x	Exp
TPU95A									Exp	x	Exp	Exp
PP										Exp	x	x
PVA											x	x
BAM												x

Using Raise3D Pro2 Plus

Wireless connection to Raise3D Pro2 Plus 3D printer

Download and install Raise3D's slicer "ideaMaker"
https://www.ideamaker.io/download.html
Come to FatCat Fab Lab, and connect to the local wi-fi
Start ideaMaker
Dismiss Welcome screen
Click "Printer" / "Connect to printer"
Click "Bookmarks" tab, click "+" (plus sign) to add a bookmark
Printer type: select Raise3D Pro2 Plus
Printer name: FatCat Raise3D (or whatever you want to call it)
Serial number: 10152017064
IP Address: 10.2.2.157
Click "OK"
On the Bookmark panel, on the row with the printer showing, click the right-most icon
(a right-pointing arrow inside a circle)
This will connect to the printer
Now, when you slice an STL, you will be offered the option to upload the resulting gcode to the printer.

ADVANCED (Identify current IP of printer)
Raise3D printers are accessible via TCP on port 31625
To discover its IP address, you could run the AngryIP scanner
from: https://angryip.org/download/#windows
And look for the IP that has 31625 open
OR:
Power on the printer, wait for the control panel to display the Home screen
Press the Gear icon in the upper right corner
--> The printer serial number is shown on this screen
In the left vertical navigation area, press Ethernet
--> The printer IP address is shown on this screen

Other settings
Default adhesion setting is RAFT, it is adjustable in the settings.
Become familiar with the settings on the display panel.

3D Printers Maintenance Log Sheet

Replacement 3D Printers Maintenance Log Sheets can be found here:

3D Printer Maintenance Log Sheet