Printing with the Ultimaker 2 Introduction Ultimaker 2 uses a Fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology that was developed and implemented at first time by Scott Crump, Stratasys Ltd. founder, in 1980s. Other 3D printing companies have adopted similar technologies but under different names. 3D printing machines that use FDM Technology build objects layer by layer from the very bottom up by heating and extruding thermoplastic filament. The whole process is a bit similar to stereolithography. Firstly special software cuts CAD model into layers and calculates the way printer s extruder would build each layer. Along to thermoplastic a printer can extrude support materials as well. Then the printer heats thermoplastic till its melting point and extrudes it throughout nozzle onto base, that can also be called a build platform or a table, along the calculated path. A computer of the 3d printer translates the dimensions of an object into X, Y and Z coordinates and controls that the nozzle and the base follow calculated path during printing. To support upper layer the printer may place underneath special material that can be removed after printing is completed. FDM technology is widely spread nowadays in variety of industries such as automobile companies like Hyundai and BMW or food companies like Nestle and Dial. FDM is used for new product development, model concept and prototyping and even in manufacturing development. This technology is considered to be simple-to-use and environment-friendly. With use of this 3d printing method it became possible to build objects with complex geometries and cavities. Page 1 of 5
1. General rules 2. 3D file 3. Cura 4. Material 5. Printer 6. Troubleshooting Leveling buildplate Tune print parameters 7. Video guides Ultimaker 2 workflow Ultimaker 2 change filament Cleaning the nozzle (atomic method) Other troubleshooting Reading this tutorial Making your model Cura processing ExporDng slised layers inserdng material PrinDng Picking up Page 2 of 5
1. GENERAL RULES 2. 3D FILE 1. Read this tutorial before you use the printers. 2. Use common sense, and respect the equipment. 3. Always follow the instructions on the machine 4. If you don t know what you re doing or something goes wrong, ask send an email to 3Dlab@aarch.dk. 5. Never use force with the machine. If everything is working properly, the machine will operate smoothly. 6. Remember, it s hot. Don t touch it or interfere with the machine while it s printing. 7. Bring your own material only 2.85mm PLA plastic is allowed in the machine. 8. The maximum print area on the Ultimaker 2 is 223x223x205 mm (x,y,z) 9. The nozzle of the machine is 0.4 mm, this means that it can only print details as small as 0.4 mm on the x and y axis, anything smaller will not print. The z-axis layer resolution can vary from 0.06 to 0.2 mm, though the smaller the resolution, the more time your object will take to print. A good rule is to limit detail to no smaller than 0.8 mm. When preparing a file for a 3D print you have to be aware that it has to be waterproof. That means no open/naked edges. You can check this in Rhino by going to Analyze>Edge Tools>Show Edges Now export the file as an STL file. Choose Tolerance 0,01mm, Binary 3. CURA Download Cura software from the following link: https://ultimaker.com/en/products/cura-software Import your STL file into the software. Display represents the building box of the Ultimaker2 printer (223x223x205mm) If your file is yellow, it fits into the building box. If it is gray, it is too big to be printed. In Cura you can reposition, scale, mirror you file. In quick setting you can adjust the quality of the print or for more control go to Expert> Switch to full settings The things tht you might want to adjust are: 1. Layer height: 0.04-1.5mm (will influence quality/ printing time). 2. Fill Density: 10-20% (will influence robustness/ material usage/printing time). 3. Support type: if you have overhanging parts on your model, use support type everywhere. 4. Platform adhesion type: unless your model has large horizontal bottom plane, use raft (this will create a bottom plate on which your model will be build and prevent warping around the bottom edges.) Check how the model will be printed layer by layer by changing View mode to Layers (top right corner) and scrolling the dial up and down. Page 3 of 5
Red: outer shell Green: inner shell Yellow: fill Turquoise: support Blue: working path When making changes, printing time and material use will update automatically. You can see this in the top left corner of the viewport. After you are done editing, save GCode on a SSD card. 4. MATERIAL Before you print, you need to buy your filament(material) and then insert it into the printer. Print only in Ø 2.85mm PLA that you can buy from: http://3deksperten.dk/filament/pla/ultimaker-pla-filament or http://3dprinthuset.dk/produkt-kategori/filament/285mm-filament/innofil-pla-285mm/ 3dprinthuset has also a physical shop in Banegårdsgade 4, Aarhus (10% discount for architecture students) To insert the filament into printer navigate to Print>Change by rotating the dial and pressing on it. Follow the instructions on the screen. This will remove existing material from the printer and allow you to insert yours. If there is no material currently in the printer, just press Ready when Remove material dialog appears. Follow the same procedure to remove your material after you are done printing. Remember to write your name on the filament spool so it doesn t get mixed up with other student s. 5. ULTIMAKER 2 PRINTER Turn on printer on the back. Insert your SSD card with your file. Navigate to Print, find your file name and press on it. Sit back and relax while you wait for the print. 6. TROUBLESHOOTING Leveling the buildplate When the print starts, check that the first lines stick evenly on the buildplate. If a corner or a side doesn t stick, bottom plate needs to be leveled. You can do that by navigating to Maintenance>Buildplate and follow the instructions. Tune print parameters Page 4 of 5
You can tune print parameter on Ultimaker after you have started your print. For example if the printer is underextruding filament you can: increase material flow to around 104% increase temperature to 214-215C. You can also increase buildplate temperature to 65C for better adhesion. 7. VIDEO GUIDES Ultimaker 2 workflow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1lawzqpxsu Ultimaker 2 change filament: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimxl-qcw84 Cleaning the nozzle (atomic method) https://ultimaker.com/nl/support/view/149-atomic-method Other troubleshooting: http://support.3dverkstan.se/article/23-a-visual-ultimaker-troubleshooting-guide lots of answers on Page 5 of 5