I love 3D printing in my garage. I just love tinkering with my printer. I find myself printing new objects all of the time on my beginner 3D printer.
I try to make sure that I print a new design or new part every week. I would say that one of my favorite parts of 3d printing is that I get to be creative. I can come up with my own design, or create a new part that I need.
I am constantly on the lookout for new designs to print.
Getting the best 3D printing line on 3D printers requires the correct settings. The best 3D printing line is a balance between different aspects such as printing speed, strength, adhesion, and many more features in your 3d printer.
But how do you know if you are getting the best settings? This article shall discuss some of the tips to achieve the best 3D printing line. A good starting point is to consult your user manual. But sometimes that is not enough.
How To Get The Best 3D Printing Line Width
1: Check the Bed Level
Checking the bed level is very important. If your bed is too high, some layers will get lost when you print, and your print will be of poor quality. On the other hand, if your bed is too low, the same thing will happen, and your 3D printer will give an error message.
You have to adjust the bed until the proper layer is printed manually on this occasion.
A simple way to do that is by using a ruler and measuring the distance from the nozzle to the lowest point on the bed. When you are done, you should make sure the distance is even all around the circumference of the bed.
2: Consistency is Key
Consistency is key when it comes to obtaining the best printing line. We mean that if you are using PLA plastic filament, you should use that particular brand every time you 3D print something.
The reason for this is that different brands of filament have different properties. For example, some filaments will harden faster than others. That means that if you 3D print with one type of filament and then use another type without cleaning and cooling your part first, your second print may not work correctly or at all.
That can be very frustrating, especially if you are new to 3d printing and do not understand what causes this problem. All you have to do is remove the part from your first print, put it on your second print’s nozzle, and see if it works.
3: Use the Right Nozzle
You should always ensure that the nozzle you are using has an adequate size. That tip is essential. What happens is that when you use a nozzle that is too small or big, it may not get through the nozzle at all.
When that happens, your printer will tell you that it did not receive the command to print, and in some instances, it may even damage your 3D printer. On the other hand, if you use a nozzle that is too large, your filament will melt and cause the same thing that happens with using a nozzle that is too small.
In general, you should always calibrate your nozzles for the largest diameter of filament you will be using.
4: Clean The Platform And Bed After Every Print!
It is not a good idea to run a test print every day by comparison. That is because if you do so, the platform and bed will become soiled with plastic residue from previous prints. If you do not clean your platform and bed after each print, the quality of your next print will be affected.
Remember that the 3D printer needs to know where to put the plastic when you send the printing commands. Therefore, your platform and bed must be clean. You should always use an old toothbrush or a soft brush to clean your platform and bed.
5: Use The Right Filament For The Job!
You should always make sure the type of filament you are using is specifically designed for the job. Some filaments have additives that can help make the part stronger.
On the other hand, other filaments may have additives that make the position more pliable. These are just a few of the many different types of additives in different kinds of filament.
6: Use A Hot End That Is Not Too Hot!
Most of the new 3D printers have very hot thermal heads or nozzles. It would help if you NEVER used a nozzle or thermal head that is too hot. In the end, this is what determines the quality of your prints.
If your nozzle or thermal head gets too hot, it will start to melt the plastic instead of affixing it to the bed or platform. That will create all sorts of printing problems. First, you may not be able to print at all.
On the other hand, even if you can print, the quality of your print may be poor. When you use a thermal head or a nozzle that is too hot, some of the plastic gets pulled off the bottom.
When this occurs, you will get a sort of ragged edge on your printed part, and it will look terrible. Also, overheated nozzles tend to leave a line of scorched plastic on the part. That can happen on any filament but, it is ubiquitous with ABS and PLA.
7: Avoid “Ghosting” And Make Sure All Z-Axis Moves Are Positive!
Lastly, it is essential to avoid using an X-Y table that is not level! Remember, the 3D printer needs to know precisely where to place your plastic when you give it the printing instructions. If the platform or bed is not level, it will cause poor quality prints.
Further, if you use an X-Y table that is not level, you may get “ghosting” or multiple layers of plastic in different areas of your print. Also, when you use an X-Y table that is not level, you may find that some parts of your print do not come out at all.
In other words, the Z-axis will have moved, but the platform or bed will not be level, and so the nozzle will not be hitting the same spot every time you issue a command to print.
Conclusion
I love tinkering with my 3d printer because it teaches me patience. I may never buy a small business 3D printer, but I’m working up to it…
I have to work step by step, piece by piece until I can finally see the end result. Sometimes it takes hours to print an object, but when it’s done, I know that I’ve accomplished something and the satisfaction is amazing!
As someone who spends a lot of time tinkering with electronics, it was natural to be interested in 3D printing. I was hooked the day I saw my first 3D printer. It looked like something out of Star Wars; it looked like the future.
3D printers are kind of like Lego’s for adults. You can build anything you want, up to and including functional robotic hands, guns (which are not advised), and chess sets (which are totally cool). Working on my 3D printer is a puzzle that I love solving.
There are many more important things you can do to improve the quality of your 3D prints but, these seven things are a good place to start. Hopefully, after reading this article, you will be better able to take control of your 3d printer and make it work for you instead of you working for the 3d printer!
Hello, my name’s Rush Chapman. I’m a 3D printing enthusiast. I started this site to help people choose 3D printing projects and select the best 3D printer for your needs, whether you’re a hobbyist or a pro!
