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      3D Printers

      We’re here to help with connecting 3D printers to school computers and assisting with software installation. If the manufacturer supports deployment, we can also help deploy the necessary software via Panel. However, it’s important to know that 3D printers require significant technical knowledge and regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly. We can handle the connection and software setup, but the printer configuration and ongoing maintenance will need to be managed by the school staff.


      We strongly recommend that the staff member responsible for the printer reads the manual thoroughly and watches tutorial videos on platforms like YouTube to get familiar with the specific model.

      While we’ve put together a list of common issues and general troubleshooting tips below, please note these are only guidelines. For detailed and model-specific information, it’s best to refer to the manufacturer’s support manual.

      Common Issues and Solutions

      1. Bed Adhesion Issues

      Symptoms: The first layer doesn’t stick to the print bed, causing print failures.

      Causes: Uneven bed leveling, improper bed surface treatment, or wrong nozzle height.

      Fixes: 

      • Ensure the print bed is level using manual or auto-bed leveling tools.
      • Clean the bed surface with isopropyl alcohol or soap water to remove oils.
      • Adjust the nozzle height (Z-offset) so that it's at the optimal distance from the bed.
      • Apply adhesive (glue stick, painter’s tape, or a PEI sheet) for better adhesion.

      2. Clogged Nozzle

      Symptoms: Extruder stops pushing filament, or thin/uneven extrusion.

      Causes: Dirt or old filament residue blocking the nozzle.

      Fixes:

      • Perform a cold pull with nylon filament to clean out debris.
      • Use a thin needle or cleaning kit to manually clear the nozzle.
      • Regularly purge the nozzle by extruding filament at a higher temperature after printing.

      3. Filament Tangles & Breakage

      Symptoms: Filament jams, tangles, or breaks during a print.

      Causes: Poor filament spooling, brittle filament due to humidity, or tension in the feed system.

      Fixes:

      • Keep filament in a dry box with desiccant to avoid moisture absorption.
      • Check spool tension and ensure the filament rolls smoothly.
      • Replace old, brittle filament, especially for materials like PLA.

      4. Under-Extrusion

      Symptoms: Thin or missing layers in the print, gaps in infill, weak prints.

      Causes: Partial nozzle clog, incorrect extrusion multiplier, or filament tension.

      Fixes:

      • Calibrate the extrusion multiplier (E-steps) to ensure the correct amount of filament is extruded.
      • Check for partial nozzle clogs and clean if necessary.
      • Verify that the filament is feeding smoothly from the spool.

      5. Over-Extrusion

      Symptoms: Bulging edges, blobs, or strings on the surface of the print.

      Causes: Over-extruding filament, incorrect flow rate settings.

      Fixes:

      • Reduce the extrusion multiplier (in the slicer software) to better match filament flow.
      • Calibrate the steps per millimeter (E-steps) for the extruder.

      6. Stringing and Oozing

      Symptoms: Thin strings of filament between parts of the print.

      Causes: Too high extrusion temperature, insufficient retraction settings.

      Fixes:

      • Lower the print temperature slightly to reduce filament fluidity.
      • Increase the retraction distance and speed in the slicer settings.

      7. Layer Shifting

      Symptoms: The layers of the print are misaligned or shifted, resulting in a skewed print.

      Causes: Loose belts, motor overheating, or sudden printer movement.

      Fixes:

      • Tighten the belts or check for belt wear and replace if necessary.
      • Ensure the stepper motors have proper cooling and adjust the current if needed.
      • Avoid printing at overly high speeds that could overwhelm the machine.

      8. Warping and Curling

      Symptoms: Corners of the print lift off the bed, leading to misshaped prints.

      Causes: Uneven cooling of the filament, improper bed temperature, or wrong material choice.

      Fixes:

      • Increase the bed temperature to reduce cooling stresses (especially for ABS and Nylon).
      • Use a brim or raft in your slicer to help anchor prints.
      • Use an enclosure to minimize drafts and control ambient temperature.

      9. Nozzle Drags Across Print

      Symptoms: Nozzle scrapes the surface of the print, leaving marks.

      Causes: Incorrect Z-height, over-extrusion, or warping.

      Fixes:

      • Calibrate the Z-height or adjust the bed leveling.
      • Ensure you are not over-extruding filament by adjusting flow rate settings.

      10. Filament Not Feeding Properly

      Symptoms: Printer fails to extrude filament consistently or at all.

      Causes: Jam in the extruder gear, filament tangling, or a blocked hot end.

      Fixes:

      • Check if the filament path is clear and that the extruder gear is not slipping.
      • Clear any blockages in the hot end.
      • Ensure the filament is spooling correctly and doesn’t snag or tangle.

      11. Print Quality Degradation Over Time

      Symptoms: Gradual loss of print precision, inconsistent layers, and rough surfaces.

      Causes: Wear on parts like the nozzle, belts, and bearings.

      Fixes:

      • Replace the nozzle if it shows signs of wear (especially with abrasive filaments like carbon fiber).
      • Regularly check and tighten belts and ensure bearings are properly lubricated.

      12. Infill Issues

      Symptoms: Weak internal structure, gaps in the infill pattern, or overly dense infill.

      Causes: Incorrect infill percentage, inconsistent extrusion, or low print speed.

      Fixes:

      • Adjust the infill percentage based on the print’s need for strength vs. material savings (e.g., 15-25% for most prints, higher for functional parts).
      • Ensure consistent filament feed and check for under-extrusion.
      • Use a higher infill overlap (in slicer settings) to better connect the infill to the outer walls.
      • Slow down the infill print speed to ensure better bonding between layers.

      13. Bridging Issues

      Symptoms: Sagging or stringy filament when printing across gaps.

      Causes: Insufficient cooling, too high print temperature, or poor bridging settings in the slicer.

      Fixes:

      • Increase cooling fan speed for better solidification when printing over gaps.
      • Lower the print temperature slightly to reduce filament drooping.
      • In slicer settings, optimize bridge flow rate and bridge speed to improve performance.
      • Design with shorter bridges if possible, or add support structures to minimize unsupported spans.

      General Maintenance Tips

      • Regular Cleaning: Wipe down the bed and keep the nozzle clean after prints.
      • Lubricate Moving Parts: Regularly apply lubricant to smooth rods, bearings, and lead screws.
      • Check Firmware: Keep the printer’s firmware updated to benefit from new features and bug fixes.
      • Filament Storage: Store filament in airtight containers with desiccants to prevent moisture absorption.
      • Visual Inspection: Check for wear on belts, pulleys, and other mechanical components.

      These common issues and maintenance strategies can significantly improve the reliability and quality of 3D prints. Starting with regular calibration, proper storage, and cleaning routines will prevent many common printing problems.