Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
9
Time Required
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Sections
1
- How to Use a 3D printer
- 9 steps
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Introduction
Step 1
Before You Turn on the MarkerBot Replicator
- Make sure the filament is full
- Pick the side you want to extrude from (You will need to input this information when you prepare your file)
- It doesn’t matter which side you pick to extrude from.
- Use the spray cleaner and paper towels to clean any leftover oil from the platform (Oil buildup may cause the plastic to stick)
Make sure the filament is full
Pick the side you want to extrude from (You will need to input this information when you prepare your file)
It doesn’t matter which side you pick to extrude from.
Use the spray cleaner and paper towels to clean any leftover oil from the platform (Oil buildup may cause the plastic to stick)
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Step 2
Control Panel
- Press the menu button and scroll through the options
- Click the Utilities option under the option box
- Select Level Build Plate option
Press the menu button and scroll through the options
Click the Utilities option under the option box
Select Level Build Plate option
Step 3
Level The Plate
- The plate on the maker bot must be made perfectly level
- Turn the front leveling knob to change the angle from front to back
- Turn the right knob to change the angle from left to right
The plate on the maker bot must be made perfectly level
Turn the front leveling knob to change the angle from front to back
Turn the right knob to change the angle from left to right
Step 4
After You Level the Plate
- Press the “Begin Set-up” button on the control panel to start the process of making sure the plate is level
- Slip a business card between the extruder and the plate, as extruder pauses at the four waypoints on the plate
- Make sure there is just enough space between the extruder and the plate to slip in a business card
Press the “Begin Set-up” button on the control panel to start the process of making sure the plate is level
Slip a business card between the extruder and the plate, as extruder pauses at the four waypoints on the plate
Make sure there is just enough space between the extruder and the plate to slip in a business card
Step 5
Smart Extruder: this is where the filament goes
- Stop! If the filament does not look like the picture on the left, go to the help desk and an ECPL librarian will assist you with loading the Smart Extruder
- On the control panel select Start Extrusion
- Once you see filament start to come out of the tip, select Stop Extrusion on the control panel
- The plastic will be hot so wait 20 sec, then remove it from the build plate
Stop! If the filament does not look like the picture on the left, go to the help desk and an ECPL librarian will assist you with loading the Smart Extruder
On the control panel select Start Extrusion
Once you see filament start to come out of the tip, select Stop Extrusion on the control panel
The plastic will be hot so wait 20 sec, then remove it from the build plate
Step 6
Making a Test Object
- Before you make your object, you should run a test object to make sure the 3D printer is set up correctly
- Use the dial and select Test File 1 for a dragon and Test File 2 for a street cone
- Push the dial and you will be taken to a file info page
- Select Print
- When the print is done, you should have a 1/2" plastic dragon or pyramid
- Let the object cool before removing it
Before you make your object, you should run a test object to make sure the 3D printer is set up correctly
Use the dial and select Test File 1 for a dragon and Test File 2 for a street cone
Push the dial and you will be taken to a file info page
Select Print
When the print is done, you should have a 1/2" plastic dragon or pyramid
Let the object cool before removing it
Step 7
Check the Test Object
- Your test object should look like one of the two items on the left
- Notice the details of the object, if something does not look right, you should repeat the setup before you print off your design
- If the test object looks perfect then it is time to print off your design
Your test object should look like one of the two items on the left
Notice the details of the object, if something does not look right, you should repeat the setup before you print off your design
If the test object looks perfect then it is time to print off your design
Step 8
Insert Your File
- If the test objects are perfect, then you can upload your file with your object into the machine
- Insert a thumb drive that has the .makerbot file you want printed into the USB port on the right of the Control Panel
- Select Upload File on the LCD Panel
- The LCD panel will display all compatible files on the thumb drive
- Select the file that you want to upload to the MakerBot
- Repeat step 6 selecting the .makerbot file you want to print
If the test objects are perfect, then you can upload your file with your object into the machine
Insert a thumb drive that has the .makerbot file you want printed into the USB port on the right of the Control Panel
Select Upload File on the LCD Panel
The LCD panel will display all compatible files on the thumb drive
Select the file that you want to upload to the MakerBot
Repeat step 6 selecting the .makerbot file you want to print
Step 9
When Your Object Is Complete
- Wait until the object has cooled before you remove it from the plate (1-2 minutes is usually enough time)
- When the object has cooled remove it from the 3D printer and admire it deeply
Wait until the object has cooled before you remove it from the plate (1-2 minutes is usually enough time)
When the object has cooled remove it from the 3D printer and admire it deeply
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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Jason Swearingen
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