Do not move on to the next step before fully reading/completing the previous step.
Step 1: Power On
Use the red button located on the front of the Lulzbot printer to turn the 3D Printer on.
Make sure the printer is plugged into the outlet, and the USB cord is plugged into the computer.
Step 2: Start Cura
Step 3: Load 3D Model
Do not print weapons, harmful content, or any other inappropriate materials.
For more information, refer to the College of Coastal Georgia's Student Code of Conduct regarding disorderly conduct and weapons.
3D printers read an .stl file.
If this is your first time printing, the Lulzbot test model will automatically load into the prepare window. If you would like print the test model, continue to the next step.
If you want to print something else, right click on the model and select “Delete selected model”.
To open an .stl file, either click the open folder in the top left-hand corner of the screen, or click File>Open.
If you need help finding things to print, click here.
Move, Scale and Rotate
When you click on a model and have it selected, you have three command panels to work with on the left-hand side of the screen. The top panel is Move, followed by Scale and Rotate underneath it.
Move
Click and drag the model to move it in any direction along the build plate.
You can also move the model in set increments (mm) by inputting numbers in the Move menu.
Scale
This window allows you to scale your model up or down.
Make sure uniform scaling is checked to increase the size in all directions.
You can increase the size by changing the percentage or by changing to a specific measurement (mm).
Rotate
This window allows you to rotate the model along the X, Y and Z axes.
Reset: allows you to reset all your rotation changes
Lay Flat: makes sure the flattest part of the print is laying flat on the build plate.
Step 4: Confirm Settings
Filament
All of the filament in this makerspace is PLA. Check to make sure that the Material in CURA has “PolyLite PLA (Polymaker)” selected.
WHY? Different plastics melt at different temperatures. The PLA profile tells the extruder to heat up to the correct temperature to melt PLA. By contrast ABS (another common thermoplastic used in 3D printing) melts at a much higher temperature. If you print PLA with an ABS heat setting, it could burn the plastic and ruin your 3D print.
Support structures
Lulzbot 3D printers can print overhangs up to 45 degrees without any support underneath it. Any overhang greater than 45 degrees will require a support structure.
To generate supports, simply click the check box next to “Generate Support” in CURA.
Print profile
For most of your printing needs, a “Standard” print setting will work well. Check to make sure “Standard” is selected.
When would you use a different print profile?
High Detail: If you have a lot of time available and your 3D print job has a lot of little intricate parts, you want to select this print profile. Your print will take longer to make, but you can ensure the small details will get extra attention.
High Speed: If your print is basic, low detail and you need it done faster, select this print profile. It won’t be as detailed as the standard print profile, but it will get done faster.
Step 5: Connect 3D Printer
*This step is for the Taz Workhorse printer ("Clyde") only:*
On the LCD graphical screen, press the knob to navigate to the Main Menu. Twist the knob to scroll down to Tool Head and select the “Single Extruder/SE | 0.50 mm | Nickel Plated Copper/NPC”.
Switch to the Monitor screen and scroll until you see the green “Connect” button. Use this button to connect CURA to the 3D printer.
If you get an error message when trying to connect to the 3D printer, please see a library staff member for help.
Step 6: Change Filament (optional)
For printers with an LCD graphical screen
Press the knob on the 3D printer to pull up the Main Menu on the LCD screen
Scroll down by twisting the knob and select Change Filament > Change Filament > Preheat PLA
The extruder will now preheat so that the filament can be retracted. When the extruder is hot enough, the current filament will begin to retract. When it is finished retracting, pull the filament all the way out.
Grab the filament of your choice and place it on the holder.
Make sure the filament is facing the way that allows it to unspool counterclockwise.
Respool the old filament and clip it before placing it back in the cabinet.
Cut the filament so that it has a sharp point, the better to feed into the extruder.
Push the filament into the extruder and push until you meet resistance. Then click “Continue” on the LCD screen. If the filament is not feeding into the extruder unassisted, it has not been loaded correctly. Take it out and try feeding it again.
Continue to select “Purge” on the LCD screen until the filament coming out of the extruder is the correct color.
Click “Continue”
For printers without an LCD graphical screen
On the Monitor screen in CURA, next to the Hot End monitor click “Preheat”. This should preheat the extruder to 210 degrees.
Scroll down to the controls for the X, Y and Z axes. While the extruder is heating up, change the extrusion amount from 1 to 10.
DO NOT CLICK EXTRUDE/RETRACT YET.
When the extruder is finished heating, click “Extrude” to extrude the filament and release any plugs that might get stuck when retracting.
Change the extrusion amount from 10 to 30 and click “Retract”.
While the filament is retracting, release the clip on the extruder and pull the filament out. Watch the video clip below to see how to release the filament clip:
Grab the filament of your choice, remove the filament clip and place it on the holder.
Make sure the new filament is facing the way that allows it to unspool counterclockwise.
Respool the old filament and clip it before placing it back in the cabinet.
Cut the filament so that it has a sharp point, the better to feed into the extruder.
Push the filament into the extruder until you meet resistance and reclip the extruder.
In CURA, make sure the extrusion amount still says 30 and click “Extrude”. If the filament isn’t feeding into the extruder unassisted, pull the filament out and repeat step 8.
When the filament coming out of the extruder is the correct color, scroll down in CURA and click “Cool Nozzle”.
Step 7: Start Print!
When all your settings are complete, click “Start Print” in CURA.
*This step for the Taz Workhorse ("Clyde") only: In the Prepare screen, click “Slice” and then “Print to USB”.
Congratulations! You just started your first 3D print!
If at any time throughout the print your print fails or you need to stop, click “Abort Print” in CURA.
If there is a catastrophic fail (i.e. something is on fire), turn the printer off and unplug it from the outlet. This is incredibly rare and likely never to occur, but the option is there should it be needed.
