3D Printing Stack Exchange
3D Printing Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
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3 answers

How is 3D printing done in space?

This article states that 3D printing has been accomplished in outer space, on the International Space Station. I'm curious as to how this works differently from 3D printing on Earth. Are there any extra measures that needed to be taken to ensure…
HDE 226868
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How important is the minimum layer height on a 3d printer?

I know the minimum layer height will effect how detailed of an item you can print and the amount of time it takes to print something, but is it necessary to have an extremely low minimum layer height if you plan to print only larger objects?
CJK
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Can 1.75 mm filament be used in a printer that takes 3 mm filament?

As an extension from this question, is there any reason that you would not be able to use 1.75 mm filament in a printer that takes 3mm filament? I know you would have to change the filament size in the slicing of prints but would there be any other…
Eric Johnson
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4 answers

How do I keep my extruder head from getting clogged?

Using a thermoplastic MDF printer with a 0.4mm extruder nozzle, I frequently have trouble with the nozzle getting clogged. I am not sure what's causing the clog, but my guesses are dust and/or burnt filament (from leaving the hot end on without…
Marsh
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7 answers

Open Source 3D scanning

I am trying to make a structured light 3D scanner using single camera, light projector and a turntable. After days on Google I did not find any reliable open source project which I can get to work. SLStudio really seemed a good choice but did not…
Hamza Tasneem
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7 answers

What can I use to "sand" my ABS prints?

I have a 3d printer that uses ABS filament. The software I use will generate vertical supports for my objects before printing that can be easily broken off after they have been used during print to hold sharp angles up that would normally…
Jon B
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Why is it conventional to set line width > nozzle diameter?

I recently became curious about the Line Width setting in Cura and why one might change it if they aren't using different size nozzle. Since I've gotten my Ender 3, I've always kept the line width equal to my nozzle size (0.4 mm). I've looked around…
ifconfig
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5 answers

Serious safety concerns with living in same room as PLA 3D Printer?

I have an Ender 3 which I primarily use for printing with PLA. I haven't branched out to other materials yet. :) I've done some research into PLA fumes and airborne particulates which seemed to mention that PLA is mostly safe, but ABS is rather…
ifconfig
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3 answers

Uses for PLA scraps

I recently got a 3D printer and have been experimenting with it a lot, resulting in a lot of failed prints (as well as successes, fortunately). I'd like to, if possible, find a way to reuse the material from these failed prints. I am thinking about…
P...
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6 answers

Drilling 3D-printed plastic

I need to do some post processing of my 3D-printed models that includes adding some holes. For each of PLA, ABS, PETG and other 3D-printing materials: In what ways is drilling a hole in a model made from that material like or unlike drilling wood?…
Tony Hansen
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6 answers

Prints are now sticking too well to the bed. What to do?

I'm a beginner. I've a Printrbot Play with a heated bed add-on. I'm using it exclusively with PLA. It worked great initially, but then I took the nozzle out and put it back in, and the Z calibration was lost (and I didn't know the calibration was a…
Florin Andrei
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18
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7 answers

How to print an overhanging arc

I am designing a part that has to clamp around a 11mm bushing, and due to other design constraints, it has to be printed with a semicircle-shaped overhang: This is proving very challenging to print. Two copies of this part have to clamp tightly…
Tom van der Zanden
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Why is a 3D Benchy considered a good test print for FDM printers?

the 3D Benchy is everywhere. It is one of the top test prints if you look away from a simple cube. But what makes the Benchy a good test print at all? It does have almost no critical dimensions that would be measurable to see if the printer is…
Trish
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5 answers

How to automate printing of multiple parts continuously?

I would like to print multiple parts continuously (non-interactively), so I can leave the printer alone for a longer time. So after finish, parts could be moved somehow out from the printing area, so the next can start. Are there any methods of…
kenorb
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9 answers

First 3 mm prints poorly, then fine after that

I have an Ender 3 that I have been pretty happy with so far, however it recently started an odd behavior and I can't figure out what's causing it. What happens is that the first ~3 mm of the print comes out "sloppy". After that, everything clears…
Steve In CO
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