3D Printing is love but when it comes to reality, we face a lot of issues such as the print getting stuck to the bed, the filaments breaking down, the axles not working and getting stuck, etc. This is a list of a few problems that we face with 3D Printing, so we have brought you some solutions rather tools that you can use to tackle these common problems.
Print removal tool kit
You feel really tense when your print gets stuck to the bed and becomes hard or impossible to remove easily. A spatula or knife also works in this case; you need to put in a little force, though.
Just keep in mind that not much force is applied and it doesn’t break the print. So keep in mind to apply the exact force and help your print remove from the bed satisfactorily. The tweezers can be used to remove the oozing filament out of the nozzle.
Great for removing 3D printed support material or cleaning up 3D Printer hot ends. Fine ends let you easily get too hard to reach places. Be careful not to scratch the print bed if you are using such a sharp object. The nozzle gets blocked every time after printing a design; an extruder nozzle cleaner is the best solution.
Glue Stick
Bed adhesion building is a pretty essential part when you start to print to keep the object in place. These come in too handy when you have the need to stick your print to bed; hairspray can also be used but it does not deliver that much precision.
If you want to avoid the trouble of warping then glue stick is important.It is simple, just cover your print bed with soluble glue and experience the improvement in adhesion.
Pliers
A pair of pliers is always good in a kit; it's handy to remove any sticky object or to fix the printer if there is some help needed. Get quality pliers with rubberized slip-resistant grips.
No matter what brand you end up buying, the absolute must-haves are needle nose pliers and wire cutting pliers. The wire cutting pliers are particularly useful to snip away support material or when trimming filament.
These can be used to reach into tight spaces to remove tangles or melted material also used to trim filament, larger messes, and any wire or other material used for supporting the printed piece.
Desiccants
The filaments used for 3D printing are varied and are used to print various objects and designs. They might be environment-friendly filaments made from beer, trash or garbage or the standard filaments like ABS, PLA, Nylon etc.
Storing them is a question and they also catch moisture, leading to the breakdown of the filament at such times. Use a desiccant that can absorb the moisture, and add it to the plastic sealed bag which you use to store filament.
Digital calipers
A caliper should be used to take precise measurements and also to replicate any part of the design that you want to in the software. The 3D printing filament, even though it is advertised as 3mm or 1.75 mm, rarely turns out to be manufactured to these exact measurements. Here is where you need a caliper: measure the filaments at certain different positions, average up the readings and if necessary do adjust the filament diameter from the slicing settings of your software. Know how to use the digital caliper wisely and it will last your 3D Printing career.
Magnalube and Unilube
Sometimes the X and Y axes need to be lubricated to ensure that they run smoothly. The best lubricant to use is Unilube, and all it takes is a single drop to resolve any issues with dryness. For the Z trapezoidal leadscrew, use Magnalube.
It’s important not to use WD40, as this affects the axle coating and can cause damage to your printer.
Masking tape
The most widely used surface covering for the print bed is masking tapes it allows the prints to adhere better. Additionally, the tape also makes removing the finished print easier and it protects your print bed from scratches.
When buying the tape, make sure to select a width of at least 50 mm (2 inches). Wider tape requires fewer strips to cover your print bed, something you will come to appreciate if you resurface your print bed frequently.
Choosing a proper masking tape depends on your preferences and build size. If you regularly print to the full width of the bed, it might make sense to get the wider sheets.
Credit:adafruit.com, ultimaker.com.