1 Topic by blazin_penguin

  • blazin_penguin
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Topic: New 3d printer Checklist

Good Afternoon,

I have been thinking for a while that it would be a good idea to start a check list for a open box inspection.  since this is my first 3d printer, I can guess at what may be good to check, however I could use some help fleshing things out, and possibly with appropriate tolerances.  If people would like I will compile it into a PDF and make it available for everyone else.  I am getting a workbench, so I am focusing on that, but if people do want a checklist for the press I will be happy to add additional items in


Out of Box:

- All connections and crimps solid (incl. on the circuit board)
- Thermocouples well attached to Hot end
- Thermocouple well attached to Heated Bed
- Wires have proper strain relief
- Wires will not interfere with movement,
- no wire pinch points
- Frame straight, Level, and parallel
- Carriages move smoothly
- Belt Tension
- Auto Calibration device moves up/down
- No Cracks, Dents, or obvious deformation
- No damage to Electronics (Bent Pins, burnt components, obvious poor solder joints)
- Extruder clear of debris
- No cracks in glass print bed
- Pulley alignment

Initial Power up:

- Power supply output 12V
- Extruders remain off
- Heated Bed remains off
- No extraneous movement (other then possibly aligning to initial position)
- Fans power up and work (I'm not sure if this will be here, or after connecting to the program?)

Connected to program:

- Toggle Extruders on
- Verify extruder Temperature
- Toggle Heated Bed on
- Verify heated bed temperature
- Verify motor movement & direction

Test Print:

I could use recommendations for a good first print that will test the capabilities of the machine, as well as check the calibration.  I would also like to know what the big things to look for are.

Thanks for your help everyone!

Solidoodle Workbench

2 Reply by n2ri (edited by n2ri 2014-11-05 04:40:24)

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Re: New 3d printer Checklist

LOL yep maybe forward a copy to Solidoodle's quality control dept. also a trouble shooting list would be useful as most mechanical electrical devices have in manuals included with them when purchased.

as for 1st test print keep them short and simpla like the 20mm single wall open top cube test on thingaverse dont have link handy ATM

I use the locking arm from Lawsy's Solidoodle mk5 carriage parts to test for solid infil as its under 10min print and shows fast if its solid or not

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

3 Reply by mwille

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Re: New 3d printer Checklist

I still have a while to wait for my Press, but I like the idea of having a checklist like this for when it finally arrives.  Thanks for sharing your list!

As far as a first print and calibration, I plan on using the Wiki's articles on "calibration of extrusion stepper", followed by "calibration of the flow rate".  From what I've read, this appears to be one of the top factors in influencing print quality (other than settings specific to type of material used). 

Do any of you experienced users have any other suggestions for things to check on a new printer?

SD Press
Modeling software: 123D Design

4 Reply by wardjr

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Re: New 3d printer Checklist

Proper Y-belt alignment and tension are one of the more important things to get right IMO.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

wardjr's Website

5 Reply by IronMan

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Re: New 3d printer Checklist

And don't forget to change the extrusion thickness to 0.48 vs. 042... smile

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!

6 Reply by neiledit

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Re: New 3d printer Checklist

IronMan wrote:

And don't forget to change the extrusion thickness to 0.48 vs. 042... smile

what is the reason for this?

7 Reply by jagowilson

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Re: New 3d printer Checklist

It's a general rule. The "default" extrusion width for a nozzle should be 120% of its diameter. This accounts for die swell of the plastic in the nozzle. For a 0.35mm nozzle, calibrate to 0.42. For a 0.4 nozzle, calibrate to 0.48. This is the value you should calibrate to, but you can set your extrusion widths however you want with respect to nozzle size. I.e., by default, slic3r extrudes external perimeters at NOZZLE_DIAMETER * 1.05, and I like to squish my first layer with an extrusion width of 0.3 or so.

Hope this helps.

8 Reply by IronMan

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Re: New 3d printer Checklist

Alos, for some reason when Solidoodle started shipping the SD4s which have a 0.4mm nozzle, (which should have an extrusion width of 0.48 as Jagowilson states), the default setting in the provided Slic3r settings were set to 0.42 as if set for a 0.35mm nozzle...

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!

9 Reply by jagowilson (edited by jagowilson 2014-12-23 16:13:38)

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Re: New 3d printer Checklist

They even started shipping SD3s with the 0.4mm nozzle so there's pretty much no excuse tongue