Tips & Tricks, vol 1: 3 Steps to Printing and the Not-So-Secret LulzJuice Recipe
Although we've been pretty wrapped up with TAZ production here at LulzBot, we didn't want to leave you out of the fun! That's why we're introducing weekly 'Tips & Tricks'-- to help you along with your 3D printing ventures, and to tide you over until TAZ is once again available. If you're a beginner, take a look at the 'Tips' section for where to begin; if you're a seasoned user, turn your eye to 'Tricks,' where you might find a hint you hadn't heard before!
TIPS
New to 3D Printing? Start here! Creating a 3D print out of nothing more than an idea can be daunting. However, it's easier (and often faster) than you might imagine.
Step 1 - Modeling
You'll need a 3D modeling program. We recommend:
- Blender
- OpenSCAD or
- FreeCAD.
If you've never used 3D modeling software, give yourself some time to get acquainted. Once you're comfortable creating your object in the modeling program, you'll want to export it into a .STL file.
Step 2 - Slicing
To turn the .STL file into code for your printer to read, you'll need a slicing program.. LulzBot uses and endorses Slic3r -- we think it's the best out there. In Slic3r, you can load your .STL file and make your final tweaks:
- How many copies of the object you would like to print in a batch
- What scale you would like to print your object at
- Then export it into Gcode (.GCO file).
Step 3 - Printing
GCode provides instructions for your TAZ to read, and the program provides an interface between TAZ and your computer. For this, we use PrintRun. Home your axis, set your temperature, and you're ready to go.
Download the software and learning the process today. You'll be ready for TAZ as soon as it's available!
TRICKS
Maybe you already know a thing or two about 3D printing. But did you know about “LulzJuice”? We use it to help ABS prints adhere to the heatbed and to prevent warping. It's a simple little trick, but it works like a charm.
How to Make LulzJuice
- Buy a small bottle of acetone at your local home improvement of hobby store (about 8oz should do the trick).
- Pour the contents into the durable plastic bottle that was included in your printer kit, leaving a bit of room at the top.
- Add 7-8 lengths of ABS plastic, each about 5 inches long (just short enough to be submerged in the acetone), in the same color you wish to print with.
- Screw the cap on tightly and let sit for 4-6 hours, until the plastic has dissolved, shaking gently periodically. You'll have an opaque solution of ABS and acetone, which can be applied to a paper towel and wiped gently over your print surface (it even works over PET tape).
The acetone will evaporate, leaving a very thin layer of ABS for the print to attach to. Just a few swipes before each print should do, and your finished products will adhere better, keep their shape, and pop off easily.
Leave a comment and let us know how these Tips & Tricks helped you, and what you would like to see covered in the future. Happy printing!