Practical solutions to common printing problems — layer adhesion failures, stringing, warping, bed leveling, and everything in between.
EducationOne of the most common challenges that many makers face is the appearance of Z-seam imperfections. The goal of this article is to help you minimize the visibility of the
EducationVase mode, referred to as “spiralize outer contour” in Cura, is a fascinating feature that offers a unique printing method. It allows you to create hollow objects with a single
Fix It3D printing is an exciting technology that has revolutionized various industries, from manufacturing to healthcare. However, like any technology, it comes with its challenges. One common issue faced by 3D
EducationOver-extrusion in 3D printing occurs when the printer deposits more material than is needed to create the desired object. This can happen for a number of reasons, including high-temperature settings,
EducationLearning through trial and error is very effective, but if you can avoid the errors by doing a bit of extra research, you’ll save yourself time and money. Here are
EducationOne of the most irritating things for me is when I’ve set everything up for a new print, only to find that the nozzle is too high or the bed
EducationA garage makes for an excellent 3D printing room because you can close it off from pets and children. You’re also less likely to hear it if you’re printing a
EducationVery silent printers can be as quiet as 30 decibels and others can be over 60dB. Sometimes, if your printer is getting progressively louder, there could be a part that’s
Education3D-printed layer lines ruin the whole look of any 3D model. But there are some trusted methods to remove them. Methods that are faster than tinkering with the printer settings
Education3D pens block up just like 3D printers do because they share so much in common. Cleaning out your 3D pen helps prevent it from blocking, but it’s still possible.
EducationWhen it comes to guiding the movements of your printer, wheels running on linear rods is the cheapest solution and gets the job done well. But if the wheels aren’t
EducationWithout stepper drivers, the motors on your printer wouldn’t rotate smoothly. 3D printer stepper motor drivers regulate the voltage supplied to the motor to move it fractions of a step
EducationCura is one of the most popular 3D printing slicers. But, many apps and programs can have a glitch from time to time and not open. In this article, I
EducationThe hotend is the one of the most important parts of a 3D printer because it melts and transforms filament into printed parts. But you don’t put the hotend together
EducationPolyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG)is a plastic material popularly used in the 3D printing of things like toys, food containers, and robotic parts. PETG is now preferable to ABS and PLA
EducationPLA filaments can go bad if you do not store them properly. Moisture, heat, sunlight, and ultraviolet radiation can damage all PLA filaments to varying degrees, not to mention that
EducationPETG has made its mark as the run-to printing material for hobbyists and experts in the past few years. It's resilient, durable, and versatile. However, even the most popular filament
EducationCertain parts have to have supports to print properly, while others might not need any supports at all. I’ll explain the basic purpose of supports, cover different support types, and
EducationPLA and other 3D printing materials can be used to print objects that can be used both inside, and outside. As well as, objects that can be used to hold
EducationWaterproofing a vase for flowers can be as easy as adding extra perimeters in the slicer or lining the inside of the vase with candle wax. However, if you want
EducationResolution in 3D printing is the minimum distance the nozzle can travel from one point to another on a certain plane. The X and Y planes run across the bed
EducationTaking your filament out every time can be a massive hassle if you print a lot. However, many people wonder if leaving the material in the printer can damage it
EducationThe nozzle of a 3D printer is closely responsible for how the 3D object turns out at the end of the day. When your nozzle gets worn out, it could
EducationPLA, or polylactic acid, is one of the most popular FDM filaments available since most printers take it, and it's a cheap, reliable material. However, PLA tends to absorb moisture
EducationA 3D printer is much more stable and reliable if its table is flat and level. A sturdy table is important because if the build platform isn’t stable, your results
EducationPLA filament is one of the most basic, easy-to-use filaments for 3D printing. However, it can become brittle and weak if you expose it to moisture or if it’s too
Education3D printing is an innovative way of manufacturing structures and shapes that can otherwise be impossible to achieve. While 3D printing has many great applications, it's not without its flaws.
EducationThis is a common defect in 3D printing, also known as Z-scaring, Z-seam, and zits. There are many causes of blobbing and most times you can get rid of them
EducationPrinter resin is extremely expensive compared to plastic filament, so the last thing you want is a failed print due to the vat running dry. This is a problem for
EducationThose new to using 3D printers often struggle to create solid, high-quality items with their printer. Fortunately, 3D printing enthusiasts and hobbyists can familiarize themselves with several printing techniques, such
EducationIf you’re doing a DIY project with UV resin, you may think it only requires an application and some additional drying time. But without the right light, your resin will
EducationThere are only three things to focus on when choosing the best filament for printing lithophanes, color, material, and dimensional accuracy. The best filament for printing lithophanes is white PLA
EducationThe thickness of the shell greatly determines the strength of the part. In FDM printing, the best shell thickness needs to be a multiple of the line width. The line
EducationNowadays, many 3D printers come with a heated bed. But if you're working with PLA, would you even need one? Polylactic acid (PLA) doesn’t need a heated bed. Heated beds
EducationA 3D printer needs to be calibrated so that you don’t get failed prints, and you get the most perfect print you can. When you first got your 3D printer
EducationDepending on what you’re printing, there are a few infill patterns that are considered to be the strongest overall. Some patterns are the strongest on the Z plane while others
EducationIf you’re getting more comfortable with the process of 3D printing, you may be questioning pieces of the process your manual told you are mandatory. Some hacks will help you
EducationThe biggest symptom of under-extrusion is missing layers in your parts. Under-extrusion can also cause parts to be weaker than they’re supposed to be. If you’re having problems like these,
EducationDrying your filament is often necessary to maintain 3D print quality. You may be wondering if it’s possible to dry your filament in a microwave since it’s so similar to
Education3D printers are amazing tools that many different people use to create their own 3D designs without having to manually do so. What 3D printers do is that they use
EducationThere are many reasons for a nozzle hitting the prints or bed. Together, we’ll look at all the most common reasons and then go through possible solutions. The main cause
EducationHaving a level 3D print bed is essential for doing prints that turn out without any imperfections. Although minor imperfections are sometimes unavoidable, one such factor you can directly control
Education3D printers are amazing machines that are capable of printing an entire object seemingly out of nothing. However, 3D printers do take a lot of time to finish one printing
EducationIf your printer’s flow rate isn’t adjusted properly, you’ll end up with wall thicknesses that don’t match up to the preview in your slicing software. The same applies to the
AccessoriesOctoPrint has been in development since 2012 and has a huge community to learn from. Plugins like “Bed Level Visualizer” make it possible to check how level the bed is
AccessoriesSome people have asked me whether a glass bed is actually an upgrade. In my opinion, the answer is yes for a few reasons. One of the most obvious reasons
EducationPLA remains one of the most popular materials used for 3D printing because it's easy to work with and cheap. What most people tend to overlook is how to store
EducationThere are a few reasons you’d want to change filament mid-print. Swapping out to a new spool or changing colors are two of the main reasons, but you may want