How to use the Reprap
(The two programs you need are in the upper right corner of the desktop)
Preparing your file for printing:
Open Slic3r72b → Set settings accordingly (fill, perimeters, etc) → Make sure the temperatures correspond to the material temperature settings described below.
Settings
Slic3r has many different settings, the ones that are changed the most often are:
Under Print Settings
For a detailed description of all/most settings on this tab of Slic3r See: Descriptions of Print Settings (1/3 way down page)
Layer height (mm): This should be set to 0.2, 0.3, or 0.4mm. This setting will determine the thickness of each layer and is directly related to print time. The larger the layer height, the shorter the print time.
Perimeters:
Solid layers:
Fill density:
Fill angle:
Under Printer and Filament
For a detailed description of all/most settings on this tab of Slic3r See:Descriptions of Settings under Printer and Filament
Temperature/First Layer Temperature
Bed Temperature/First Layer Bed Temperature
Print speed: various settings..
Travel (mm/s)
Saving your file
→ Click “File” → Select “Slice and Save As” (Opens window, should currently be in “reprap” folder)
The next step is to open your stl file. → Click “stl” folder → Choose your stl file → Click “Open”
It will now ask you to save as gcode. It is best to keep the naming consistent. → Click “reprap” folder → Click “gcode” folder → Click “Save”
Now it will process & say “....successfully sliced.....” → Click “OK”
You are now done with Slic3r. Each time you wish to change your settings, you most go through the steps above. *Please, always follow the saving methods above, as the computer can easily get cluttered when files are saved in the wrong folders.
Printing:
Plug in the Reprap (plug the cord into the back of the power box)
Open Pronterface
→ Click “Connect” (near top of screen)
Now you will choose temperature settings for your appropriate filament material. → If using PLA, choose PLA temperatures for heater & bed (185, 60) → Click “Set” next to heater & bed. → If using ABS, choose ABS temperatures for heater & bed (230, 110) → Click “Set” next to heater & bed. * Failure to set the temperature correctly can result in burnt plastic, not being melted enough, and several other issues with the printer, make sure you know your material before starting.
→ Click “Load File” → Click “reprap” folder → Click “gcode” folder → Click on your file → Click “Open” The screen on the right side will show you estimated duration in hr:min:sec, amount of filament used, etc.
→ Click “Check Temp” next to temperature settings to see what your current temperature is. *Bed temperature takes longer to heat than extruder, so it is better to set that one first.
→ Click “Print”
*If you have problems getting the first layer to stick, try cleaning the bed using ethanol & a cloth wipe. → Click “Pause” → Click “Z+ 10” → Click “Motors Off” → Adjust settings in Slic3r OR → Clean bed using ethanol & cloth wipe
*PLEASE! DO NOT adjust things on the actual reprap unless you know what you're doing.