PRUSA 3D Printing Overview

⚠️Training Zone Ahead⚠️

To safely use the following equipment, you must receive training by lab64 Staff prior to individual use. To get trained, please attend one of our Office Hours sessions↗. Estimated Length of Training: 15 minutes.

Introduction

Printing With Prusas

The Prusa i3 MK3S+ is the FDM 3D printer of choice for Lab64. We currently have 8 printers, all located on our printer wall at the front of our main lab.

Operating The Prusas

 Each Prusa has two buttons:

Prusa tools are located opposite the printer wall in the center-top white drawer. These include:

Installing The PrusaSlicer

1.

Go to the Prusa Website  and download the specification for your device.

2.

Run the installation wizard, then click Next. 

3.

Choose whether to install for all users or just yourself, then click Next.

4.

Choose the destination for the file to save at, then click Next.

5.

Click Next again.

6.

Select where to create shortcuts, then click Install.

7.

After your installation completes, click Finish, then open your newly installed PrusaSlicer.

Configuring Your PrusaSlicer

1.

If the PrusaSlicer does not automatically  bring you to the configuration page on startup, go to Configuration > Configuration Wizard. 

2.

At the Welcome page, click Next. 

3.

In Prusa FFF, under MK3 Family: Original Prusa i3 MK3S & MK3S+, selected 0.4mm Nozzle, then select Filaments on the left panel.

Note: Other filament types are added via the same process!!

4.

Check the box at MK3 Family: Original Prusa i3 MK3S & MK3S+ > PLA > Generic > Generic PLA. The rest of the settings are at your discretion. Once you are complete, click Finish and begin working on your first print.

Printing With The PrusaSlicer

1.

Ensure you are on the Plate (top left) tab in Simple (green, top right) mode.

You may use any of these .STL files for your first print.

*Note, you may import several files at once and print all of them together!

2.

Import your file. We recommend .STL, but you may also use:

All the paramters we need going forward are on the right-hand panel.

3.

Printer Settings -- Standard is 0.15mm QUALITY.

Lower number = less space between layers = more detailed print & longer time.

4.

Filament -- Before selecting, confirm the filament you will use is loaded into the desired printer. To select a new filament type, select Add/Remove Filaments then follow the directions at Step 4 of PrusaSlicer Configuration.

5.

Supports -- "Everywhere" is highly recommended in order to avoid floating objects.
Infill -- Standard = 15%. Determines the density of the print. Usually irrelevant.

Brim -- Highly recommended on all prints! Ensures the first layer of prints well.

6.

If the size and position are good, double check your filament type, then click Slice Now in the bottom right corner.

Note: If you are only doing a test print and are using the sample .STL files, please shrink the print to until it is under an hour!

7.

Here, you can confirm the print time and amount of filament to be used. If you are alright with these values, take the SD Card from your selected printer and Export G-Code. 


The SD Card adapters are located in the "Prusa Equipment" Drawer opposite the Prusa Wall.

8.

Name your .gcode file "SUNetID_filedescription_Filamenttype.gcode" For example:-

johnsmith_cube_PLA.gcode

Then, save your file and eject the SD Card


Note: Do not delete, remove, or relocate any files on the SD Card that are not yours!!

Choosing Your Filament

Looking at the clips on the far right side, we see that Articuno currently has PLA filament and is Operational, so it is okay to use!

⚠️ Before You Begin, make sure that the printer you are working with is Operational. Using a damaged printer may cause further damage. Prioritize using a printer that already has your desired filament type.

1.

Press the knob to get from the Info Screen to the Main Menu.

2.

Scroll downward until you reach Unload Filament, the press the knob.

3.

At the next screen, you must select the type of filament that is currently in the printer. To find this, check the side of the spool. Common filament types include:-

In this case, it is PETG, which is designated PET on this screen.

4.

At this point, the nozzle will begin to preheat. The Prusa will beep loudly once it is at the target heat.

5.

Once it's beeped, press the knob and immediately pull the filament out.

6.

To prepare your new filament, chop the end of it off at roughly a 45 degree angle using a pair of snips.

7.

Navigate to the Load Filament option on the Main Menu. Once selected it will immediately disappear, this is normal.

8.

Immediately insert your filament into the top hole in the Prusa head. You should feel the motors pull your filament in.

9.

Check under the nozzle as filament begins to extrude. Follow the prompts until the filament begins to extrude the proper color. Then, clean up the excess filament and you may begin your print.

Starting Your Print

1.

Ensure that the build-plate is clean and clear of debris. 

2.

Re-insert the SD Card with the metal pieces pointing toward you.

3.

Use the black scroll wheel to navigate to your print. Once there, press the scroll wheel in -- it also acts as a select button.

This is a bit more than one layer but you get the idea.

4.

Watch for the first layer of your print to finish before leaving your print to finish on its own.

5.

On print completion, the build plates are magnetic and can be lifted and flexed to help remove the print.
Be sure to clean them afterward with some isopropyl alcohol and a cotton towel.

Printer Etiquette 

If someone else's print has fully finished, you may carefully remove magnetic plate from the bed for them and start your own print. Reciprocally, be aware that if you don't return to the printer as soon as your print has finished, others may remove your part from the print bed for you and may accidentally damage your part in the process. 

If you notice that a print is failing on a printer, please stop the printer. 

If a printer is not working, poke around to figure out what the problem is and how you might fix it. The 3D printers are meant to be used and taken cared of by the community. If you're still stuck, email the lab64 CA's at lab64ca@ee.stanford.edu or the Lab64 Slack and we'll be happy to help.