A few helpful pointers…

Hardware

A helpful handy diagram

Cartesian

A helpful printer diagram
  • Additionally, printers can often come with additional helpful bits of hardware: BL Touch, Filament runout sensor. These can make your life easier. A BL Touch can help with levelling especially if you have a large printer (>300×300).
CoreXY
A helpful printer diagram

Additionally, printers can often come with additional helpful bits of hardware: lidar sensor, Filament runout sensor, and a camera. These can make your life easier. The camera feature allows for remote monitoring and time-lapse capabilities.

Hardware

Additionally, A Filament runout sensor, can literally help you sleep at night. I used to wait up for long prints, but am able to do filament change more easily with this, meaning I can go to bed and get some sleep.

General

  • Also, I personally find I get a superior print when switching out the build-plate for a mirror. No more than 2mm thick. Glass retailers will often cut to measure. This, again I would highly recommend for larger printers. It is also helpful to have a spare mirror (just in case)
  • Moreover, regular maintenance of you printer (every 6 months) if it has been heavily used. Things to check are:
  • 1. loose belts (refer to image)
  • 2. Worn V wheels on Z axis (as shown above)
  • 3. V wheels on the bed
  • Additionally, more frequent maintenance would be, Cleaning the bed after every print (I use glass cleaner or fairy liquid with a microfibre)
  • Keep an eye on your nozzles, these can get worn
  • when doing large prints i use 0.6 size nozzles

More info

Software

  • when using 0.6 size nozzles you can change layer height 0.32
  • speed 60 mm/s
  • if use more walls you use less infill the lowest i have use is 10%

More info

Filaments

  • When printing with carbon fibre PLA you will get more where on your nozzle so this may result in changing more frequently that it is a more abrasive material.
  • when printing with wood PLA you will have to print slightly slower than usual to make sure that you get good layer attention otherwise your model will break apart.
  • using lightweight PLA normally the temperature is a lot higher because as the PLA comes out of the nozzle it will foam up a little bit that’s what makes it lighter than standard PLA
  • When printing with silk PLA to get the best shine the temperature needs to be a little bit hotter then normal this will give you The best results