3D Printing Stack Exchange
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1500 questions
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5 answers

Efficient and easy way to thermally insulate the heat block of the hotend?

Sparked by this question, I wanted to discuss the most efficient and also the easiest ways of thermally insulating the heat block of the hotend. I have seen Kapton tape insulations as done here with a very conclusive resumee about its usefulness. In…
kamuro
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3D printing for outdoor use: "What types of filament are most weather resistant?"

I'd like to print modifications for my bird feeder, both to patch over the hail damage from last summer and to try to deter the neighborhood squirrels. I have an FDM printer (and experience with nylon, ABS, and PLA, though don't restrict answers to…
1337joe
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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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What causes ripples on part of first layer?

I'm having issues with ripples on the first layer of big flat prints. The initial corner of a big flat print is fine, but then ripples begin to form as shown in the screenshot. I'm just a newbie, so I was thinking they might have something to do…
Kevin
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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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How to improve face that are printed on support?

Is there anything I can do to improve the bottom side of surfaces that are printed on support? I always try to rotate the model so that surfaces that need to look nice are on the sides or top, and, if possible I divide the model into smaller parts…
Nir
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Printed part auto-eject (automatic part removal)

What are the methods to auto eject parts (into a collection area/box/basket) in order for the 3D printer to continue printing? For some reason this feature isn't common (yet?). Is there a hidden reason why? Will using the print head to ram the part…
allanlaal
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What is stopping us from mixing 3D filament colors in an Extruder?

This came up in one of my groups today. That we could not color bend, or mix 3d printing filaments. I have researched but I am not finding anything talking about Plastic mixing in an extruder. Why is it that we cannot take say a Diamond hotend, or a…
StarWind0
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Using dollar-store picture glass for print bed on top of original heated aluminum bed?

I'm having a really hard time printing on my aluminum heated bed... Cleaning it just results in it being scratched (trying to scrape dried hairspray/glue/etc off) and I don't think it is particularly flat either. I was thinking of stopping by the…
BunnyKnitter
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My heated glass print bed keeps chipping and cracking. How can I prevent this?

My thermoplastic FDM printer has a heated bed and uses glass as the printing surface. Sometimes the glass will chip or break entirely when I'm removing my print. This happens most often when the print has a large area in contact with the glass. What…
Martin
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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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Why does hairspray work as an adhesive for ABS?

Since I have a 3D printer, I worked primarily with printing ABS. I tried multiple methods for adhesion (various soluble glues, ABS juice) but always had the most success with hairspray on clean borosilicate glass, as long as I print with a bed…
TheEquah
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Which endstops are most precise?

I have seen mechanical (micro switch), optical and magnetic(magnet + hall sensor) end stops. Are there any differences in how exact they switch at the right location? If so which are the most precise?
Lars Pötter
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Do 3D printers really reach 50 micron (0.05 mm) accuracy?

I've always been wondering about the actual accuracy of 3D printing devices. When looking for the perfect machine to buy, I looked at the speed, price, filaments supported etc, but also accuracy. I once asked somebody who could give me some advice…
StLuke5
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Safety precautions when using acetone

Acetone can be used to smooth ABS prints. What safety precautions should be taken during its use?
Eric Johnson
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