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**Increase the flow rate via the Gigabot controller to 150-250(normal is 100(%) and it is a percentage of what your slicing settings are)
**Increase the flow rate via the Gigabot controller to 150-250(normal is 100(%) and it is a percentage of what your slicing settings are)
*Increasing flow rate is excellent for bridging over infill with larger gaps.
*Increasing flow rate is excellent for bridging over infill with larger gaps.
==Necessary and Helpful Images==
{{gallery
|width=180
|height=135
|lines=2
|Image:Main_Menu.jpg|Fig 1: Main menu of Gigabot controller
|Image:Tune_Parameters_1.jpg|Fig 2: First set of tuning parameters
|Image:Tune_Parameters_2.jpg|Fig 3: First set of tuning parameters
|Image:Issue_1.jpg|Fig 4: Slight adhesion issue on first layer of printing
|Image:Issue_1_fixed.jpg|Fig 5: Fix of adhesion issue by 2nd layer of printing via slowing down and increasing flow rate.
|Image:Z_calibration.jpg|Fig 6: Z-distance of hot end and print bed calibration screw
|Image:Z_corner_calibration.jpg|Fig 7: Print bed corner calibration screw
|Image:Golbez_Machine_Settings.JPG|Fig 8: Golbez Gigabot machine settings
|Image:Gigabot_Printer_Profile.JPG|Fig 9: Printer parameter recommendations in Cura
}}

Revision as of 02:06, 3 June 2017

Gigabot printing PLA
About the Gigabot printer and some tips on how to print with it

Introduction

This page is specific to the Gigabot in use in room 517 of the M&M as of 6-2-17. This printer is also known as Golbez as the group is fond of naming printers. This gigabot is a little tedious to set up a good print as the bed leveling takes practice and specific printing parameters may take a while to optimize for a given part. Additionally because the nozzle is 1.0mm diameter, detail is not a priority on this printer. Instead the optimal use of this printer is for larger objects with few precise details which are too big to print on a delta.

This printer once calibrated and optimal printing parameters are determined for the specific filament material may produce high quality and awesome printed parts.

Material Selection

  • PLA

It is recommended to use PLA for this printer as it works well within the printing requirements of the material. Typically a temperature of 230-240C is needed due to the large nozzle size. Use of the heated bed is not recommended as it can lead to poor adhesion of the initial layer.

  • Nylon

This is a difficult material to print on this printer as there is significant warping in the material during normal printing. Normally a print bed temperature of at least 75C is recommended, however, this printer can only get up to 45C actual(55C in settings, any higher will cause a temperature runoff). Nonetheless, nylon may be printed if the part is modified to have sections which may be held down by clamps near the print bed exterior. Maxing(firmware restriction) the nozzle temperature at 250C is recommend.

  • PP

This material is relatively easy to print, but requires PP tape to be layered on the print bed surface. Additionally as temperature of 250 is recommended and no heated bed is necessary.

Safety

  • The nozzle gets hot(>210C for most printing) and stays hot if prints are paused or stopped, but only turns off if a print is completed or the user directly lowers the temperature in menus.
  • Mind your hands as the motors do run on the side of the Gigabot via a rail system.
  • Ensure that the heating element of the hot end does not leave the hot end while on, it will turn bright red and you will be able to smell a burning scent. If this happens, disconnect power immediately.

Equipment or Bill of Materials

  • Gigabot: https://re3d.org/gigabot/
  • Extruder assembly used: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:453498
  • Glue or blue tape for adhesion, better success has been found with simple Elmers purple glue sticks(Make sure to put on a fresh layer 5 minute before printing
  • Blade of some kind to remove part from bed.
  • Filament of choice
    • PLA, Nylon, PP have been tested

Calibration & Tolerances

  • The menus may be accessed to directly move the extruder assembly in X and Y directions, while the bed may move only in the Z direction.
  • The print surface may be calibrated by rotating a screw against a limit switch controlling the z-calibration. Rotating the screw closer to the limit switch will cause a lowering of the print bed with respect to the hot end, and rotating it further away from the print bed will cause the print bed to be closer to the hot end.
  • Under the print bed at each corner there is an additional screw(total of 4) which if rotated will either shift the respective corner of the print bed up or down.
  • The print bed maximum setting on the printer is 55C and will obtain a wonderfully uniform 45C print bed surface temperature.
  • The current nozzle size is 1.0mm diameter and the extruder assembly is spring based which will allow filament of 1.75mm or 3mm.

Operation & Procedure

  1. Download a slicing software such as [Cura] and then set up your machine settings and printing profile. Example machine settings and profile are both shown below.
  2. Export Gcode from cura to a microSD card and insert said card into the Gigabot controller.
  3. Verify the print settings and tune the printing parameters more specifically for the printed part needs via menu options. Some options in the menus are shown below.
  4. Ensure the printer is calibrated correctly by doing a test print with zero flow rate and watch the Z-distance between the nozzle and the print surface. An ideal Z-distance is about 200 microns.
  5. Check the print bed for adhesion, as in apply glue in stick form or blue tape if such is needed as examples.
  6. After verifying the nozzle temperature, bed temperature, speed, fan rate, and flow rate you may begin printing via the print from SD on the main menu.
  7. During the print the print parameters may be modified. Specifically effective is the nozzle temperature, speed and flow rate.
  8. After printing is completed ensure that the nozzle, bed, and fans are all off.

Shutdown

  • Generally the printer is left on, but just make sure the nozzle and bed are turned off and not hot.
  • If emergency shutdown is necessary, pull the plug from the power strip.

Tips for improving your prints

  • Follow the general idea of high nozzle temp, lots of fan power and small hot end-bed Z-distance.
  • If you get issues of adhesion...
    • Slow down the print speed for the first layer to a max of 20mm/s
    • Add another layer of fresh glue, or remove the old glue and then add a new layer.
    • Increase the flow rate via the Gigabot controller to 150-250(normal is 100(%) and it is a percentage of what your slicing settings are)
  • Increasing flow rate is excellent for bridging over infill with larger gaps.

Necessary and Helpful Images

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