3D Printing Stack Exchange
3D Printing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [hardware]

Any questions related to 3D printer hardware, implying physical parts of the 3D printer or in the immediate vicinity of the 3D printer may be tagged with this tag

All hardware parts or devices related to 3D printing are meant to be tagged with this tag as long it is not software related. This includes 3D printer parts (please beware of existing tags for specific parts like extruder, heated bed, etc.), devices, spool systems, tools, etc.

35 questions
17
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2 answers

Why all the excitement about linear rails?

Whenever a 3D printer that uses linear rails is announced (case in point: the cetus), the Internet (well... at least that corner of it dealing with 3D printing) gets abuzz with excitement. I researched a bit the topic myself, and while I understand…
mac
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11
votes
1 answer

What's a good way to secure bushings in a 3D printed part?

I'd like to secure bushings in 3D printed parts. They would be used for a drilling jig. I've seen heat-set inserts, but they've all had threaded interiors. The best idea I can come up with is printing the plastic hole several thousandths of an inch…
user441767
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9
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1 answer

How long is an extruder's/nozzle's life?

I've been using a printer for several years now and I've never replaced any of my extruder hardware (nozzles, steppers, gears etc.). I was wondering how long you should expect your extruder hardware to last? Is it indefinite, or are there normal…
Diesel
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8
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3 answers

Filament Guides Drag

Backstory I've had issues in the past with my drive gear "eating" my filament. It seemed that the filament quit extruding for one reason or another and the drive gear would slowly eat away at the side of the filament. I eventually assumed it was the…
tbm0115
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8
votes
1 answer

What do linear rail codes mean?

In looking at 3D printer motions systems, I've seen linear rails with codes like MGN15H and MGN9C. What do the letters and numbers mean?
chobok
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7
votes
3 answers

Does anyone know the thread size (pitch and lead) of the Anet A8's lead screw?

I bought a new printer, and unfortunately the left nut for the lead screw isn't tapped. Does anyone know the thread size, w.r.t. both pitch and lead, of the lead screws?
user441767
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7
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3 answers

What is the largest microSD card that a Monoprice Select Mini can read?

I have a Monoprice Select Mini v2 and it came with a 256 MB SD card. I have a bunch of 16 GB cards. I have made sure that the new SD card has a FAT32 filesystem. I copy the gcode file onto this card and when I put it in the printer, it can't find…
NomadMaker
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6
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1 answer

Why is my Ender 3 restarting spontaneously in mid print?

tl;dr How can I test whether my sporadic in-print restarts are a thermal problem or a firmware issue? The problem I've had my Ender 3 (not V2 or Pro) for about a month, and gotten a number of excellent small prints with Amazon Basics and SunLu PLA,…
Zeiss Ikon
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5
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1 answer

Printer is Confused-Printing in Air Literally

So I got my 3D printer (Anet A8) a few years ago and put it together. I couldn't figure out how to use it. Then about a month ago I decided to try again now that I am older and got it to work. I know more than I did by far. I have printed about…
john
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5
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1 answer

Getting rid of hardware parts smell (GT2 timing belt)

I ordered 10m of GT2 timing belt for a printer I want to build, however, the chemical smell from the belt is completely unbearable, in the sense of it gives me the feeling it is destroying something in my nose (and my nose isn't even particularly…
kamuro
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4
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2 answers

Can't print anything, clicking and low extrusion

I am the owner of a pretty Anycubic Mega I3 and it was very cool to own it. However, now I have several problems when printing with it. It clicks all along, at high or low temperature, at 5 mm above the plate, and the result is very disgusting. It…
Obibousky
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4
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1 answer

Has anyone used a Shield Buddy (en lieu of a Arduino Mega2560) as the RAMPS 1.4 host board?

I have read a few times1 that the Arduino Mega can struggle to perform the tasks required for 3D printer control, as the AVR chip is working at its limits, and this is why some manufacturers have moved away from the ATmega2560, to make custom (and…
Greenonline
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3
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Easiest way to build a horizontal hotend mount at home, without printing

For my Frankenstein's printer I am at a loss with the hotend mount. I cannot drill holes of 16 (upper diameter) and 12 mm (clamping diameter, 6mm high) which i would need to mount the E3D V6 clone I have. What I am looking for: a hotend mount plate…
kamuro
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3
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1 answer

What should I consider before buying a 3D printer?

I am currently looking to buy a 3D printer. I've done some research about which technologies and materials they use. I've seen some models seems good so far but my concern is 'Are they mechanically solid?'. I don't want it to become a scrap after…
Pyro
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3
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1 answer

Does it matter where I place my models on my Resin printer build plate?

I have a resin 3D printer, so I can print multiple models of a similar size without the overall build time increasing very much. So long as I stay within a set height range. Presuming that my build plate is level and that my FEP is OK, does it…
Aaargh Zombies
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