There could be a number of reasons you want to bond two or more 3D printed parts. The most obvious reason is when you need to print a part that’s bigger than your 3D printer. However, gluing 3D printed parts can be tricky. There are several different methods: Some will result in (almost) invisible seams, while others might leave a big and ugly bump. Regardless of the method you choose, it’s important that the surfaces to be bonded together are smooth and properly cleaned before applying glue. Sanding is a good way
Category: Basics
3D Printer Layer Shifting: 6 Simple Solutions
While there’s a host of possible 3D printing problems, layer shifting is one of the most obvious because it affects both the dimensional accuracy and the visual appearance of a print. Simply put, layer shifting occurs any time a layer is printed with a horizontal offset from where it should have been printed. Often, multiple layers of the same print will move in one direction, leaving you with an erroneously slanted print that looks bad and won’t function as expected. Other times, layer shifting will appear as a single large displacement at a
Orca Slicer: All You Need to Know to Get Started
The first version of Orca Slicer, developed by SoftFever, was released in July of 2022. Originally called “Bambu Studio SoftFever”, this open-source slicer is a fork of Bambu Studio, which is based on PrusaSlicer. Orca Slicer is one of the most convenient slicers you can use if you’re working on big projects with lots of parts. One of its standout features is the possibility to add multiple build plates to get a complete overview of the filament and time required for a project when various parts need to be printed. This
PLA Not Sticking to Bed: 6 Simple Solutions
If you know anything about 3D printing, you probably know PLA, the most popular 3D printing filament out there. While PLA is known for its ease of use, sometimes it comes with printing issues that can make achieving great prints a struggle. Challenges with the first layer deserve particular attention, as a good first layer is the foundation for a successful print. In order for successive layers to print properly, the first layer needs to stick to your printer’s build surface. This is known as bed adhesion in the 3D printing world. This
Pronterface: How to Download, Install & Set It Up
Pronterface is a simple graphical user interface that provides users with the ability to monitor and control their printer from a USB-connected computer. With it you can directly move stepper motors, control bed and nozzle temperatures, send G-code commands directly via a terminal or console window, and much more. Created by the influential RepRap initiative, Pronterface has been around for a long time, and is part of the Printrun suite of simple tools for managing and controlling both 3D printers and CNC machines. While it’s certainly showing its age now, Pronterface continues
3D Printed Drone & Quadcopter Parts: How to Get Started
Commonly known as drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are vehicles that are capable of autonomous operation. As such, a drone is not limited to being an aircraft; it could be a car, boat, or even a hovercraft. However, the term has come to define an aircraft with three or more propellers that provide lift and thrust. These are also commonly referred to as multirotors or quadcopters. In general, UAVs are mechanically very simple, consisting of a frame, a flight controller, motors, propellers, speed controllers, and possibly first-person view (FPV)
Annealing PLA for Stronger 3D Prints: 2 Easy Ways
Heat treatments are post-processing techniques commonly used to change material properties, either physically or chemically. Annealing is one such treatment, and you might have heard about it within the context of 3D printing. It’s said to make 3D printed parts perform better, but how exactly does this process work, and what can be achieved with PLA? In this article, we’ll explain how annealing works and describe a couple of procedures you can try at home. Let’s get started! What Is Annealing? Annealing is a heat treatment used to increase the ductility of metals
3D Printing ASA: The Best Settings & Printing Tips
Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, also known as ASA, is an engineering thermoplastic with a similar molecular structure to the very popular and commonly used acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a.k.a. ABS. ASA is known for its high impact and good chemical resistance. It can handle high temperatures (softening at 105 °C) and has great dimensional stability. Compared to ABS, ASA is UV-stable and maintains its appearance and resistance even after long exposure to sunlight and water. It’s in many common products, including auto parts (bumper covers and side mirror housings), gutter and
Filament Tangle on Spool: How to Prevent & Solve It
3D printing filament spooling is an important yet often overlooked part of 3D printing. It’s not usually something to be concerned about, as filament generally comes perfectly spooled right out of the box. Properly spooled filament is fundamental for a good 3D printing experience, to avoid under-printing, vibrations, mistakes, and more. However, when filament tangles do happen, it can be a nightmare to put up with, and even more complicated to solve. But it doesn’t have to be! Here are some tips and tricks to prevent and solve
Direct Drive vs Bowden Extruder: The Differences
The vast majority of fused-deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers have either direct or Bowden extruders. And while the basic principle is the same – the use of an extruder to push filament through a heated nozzle – the difference lays in where that extruder sits. Direct extruders are mounted on the printhead and pushes the filament directly into the hot end. Meanwhile, Bowden extruders usually have the extruder mounted on the frame of the printer. As such, the filament travels through a PTFE tube to reach the printhead. Thanks to advances in hardware, the