Anets A8 Operation Instruction Manual

0

1

Contents

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 2

A. Security Considerations ............................................................................................................... 3

B. Product Details ............................................................................................................................ 4

1.Specifications .......................................................................................................................... 4

2.Machine parts ......................................................................................................................... 4

3.Extruder drawing ..................................................................................................................... 5

4.Tool List .................................................................................................................................. 6

C. Cura Software ............................................................................................................................. 9

1.Installation of Cura14.07 ......................................................................................................... 9

1.1 File location in the TF card ............................................................................................ 9

2. Cura Setting ................................................................................................ ......................... 18

2.1 Clear platform .............................................................................................................. 18

2.3 Layer height settings ................................................................................................... 23

D. Printing Operation ..................................................................................................................... 46

1. Introduction of Display ......................................................................................................... 46

2. Install Filament ..................................................................................................................... 56

2.1 Set Preheat Mode .................................................................................................... 56

2.2 Filament Installation ..................................................................................................... 57

2.3 Pull out filament ........................................................................................................... 59

3. Platform Adjustment .......................................................................................................... 60

4. Printing ................................................................................................................................ 62

E. FAQ and Solution ...................................................................................................................... 65

1. Z Axis Ajustment .............................................................................................................. 655

2. Nozzle blocking .................................................................................................................... 67

3. FAQ ..................................................................................................................................... 69

F. Maintenance ............................................................................................................................... 70

G. Maintenance policy ................................................................................................................... 71

2

INTRODUCTION

A8 FDM 3D printer can print CAD 3D printer model to real . A8 uses Acrylic to build
its frame while it uses linear bearings , belts and threaded rods to build X , Y , Z axis .
It enables A8 to print steadily with no vibration .

Note:

1. All statement included in this Instructions have been checked carefully , if any

typographical errors or misunderstanding , we have the final interpretation .

2. No noification if any update .

3

A. Security Considerations

To avoid danger when using 3D printer , please pay attention to precautions below .

Danger

During Operation , the maximum temeprature of nozzle can be 260 ℃ while hotbed
can be 100 ℃ . For your safety , during printing or cooling down , do not touch the
nozzle , hotbed and models under printing . Power works at 110V/220V 50HZ AC and
supply ground needed . Do not use other power supply , or it may cause components
damage , fire or electric shock . And we take no responsibility for this .

Warning
We suggest wering protective goggles when removing auxiliary support materials .
Some filaments will emit slight irritant gases , so we suggest to use 3D printer in a
ventilated environment .
Note: ABS filament will emit a bit toxic gases when it melts .

4

B. Product Details

1.Specifications

2.Machine parts

Model：A8

Nozzle diameter： 0.4mm

Layer thickness：0.1-0.3mm

Machine size： 500*400*450mm

Printing speed：10-120mm/s

Machine weight：7.5KG

X Y axis position accuracy：0.05mm

Packing size：510*345*215mm

Z axis position accuracy：0.015m

Gross weight：9.2KG

Printing material：ABS,PLA

Build size：220*220*240mm

Material tendency：PLA

LCD screen：Yes

Filament diameter ：1.75mm

Offline printing：SD CARD

Software language：Multi-Language

File format：STL、G-Code、OBJ

Function of support：automatically

OS：windows(linux、mac)

Software： Cura

Working condition： 10-30℃，Humidity 20-50%

5

3.Extruder drawing

No.

Part Name

Quantity

1

Extruder Motor

1 2 Blower

1 3 Wind Mouth

1

4

Nozzle（0.4mm)

1 5 Heating Block

1 6 Throat

1 7 Fan Cover

1 8 Fan 1 9

Heat Sink

1

10

Extruder Seat

1

11

Bend Parts

1

12

Brass Wheel

1

13

U-Bearing

1

14

Briquetting

1

15

Spring

1

16

Heating Pipe

1

6

4.Tool List

7

8

9

C. Cura Software

1.Installation of Cura14.07

a: Where can I find the software?

1) SD card with shipment; 2) download from Internet;

b: Installation process

1) From SD card with shipment
Insert SD card and open the file

1.1 File location in the TF card

1)Insert SD card , open the file

10

2) Download from Internet

Official Website：https://ultimaker.com/en/cura-software/list
Choose corresponding software to download

11

b.Software Installation Process

1. Installation
Positioning

2. Click Next

1
2
3

Choose 3 options below

4. Click Install

12

Please wait for installation

1.Click Next

13

1.Installation Success

2.Click to finish

Installation complete

Click Next

14

2. Click to finish

1.Choose to run Cura

Click Next

15

3.Click Next

1.Choose other to customize

2.Choose this option

16

1.Choose to customize

2.Click Next

17

You can customize name here.

This is A8 parameter

We default these data .
You can fill in according to
actual condition

Choose this option

DO NOT choose this option !!!

1.Click to finish

18

Now you have finished the installation. Next , enter Cura .

2. Cura Setting

2.1 Clear platform

Delete the dog. Two ways for you :

1.Move mouse to dog ,right click, click “delete object”.

19

2.Left click “File” , choose ”Clear platform”.

20

Switch to full settings
for parameter setting

Open file：A8 Cura 14.07.ini

21

Position of configuration file: Computer/SD card)/ configuration file for cura-14.07
（suggestion :keep this file copy to your computer）

After Loading,the basic and advanced
configuration will be changed to the A8
regular printing configuration.

22

If print once at a time , it will influence the printing
quality, even cause damage to priner. So please

choose “Printer at once”.

23

2.3 Layer height settings

Layer height：0.1mm cost long time but have the best
printing precision. 0.2mm cost half time compared to

0.1mm , but have general printing precision. 0.3 cost less

time with not good precision. It defaults 0.2mm.

Left：0.1mm
Layer height

Right：0.2mm
Layer height

Layer height setting

0.8mm is too thin for shell, 2mm shell

costs more time, 1.2mm is relatively
better. Please use the integer mutiple
of nozzle diameter.

Shell thickness setting

0.8mm

1.2mm

2mm

24

The Blue line is

the leak filament

Enable retraction to avoid filaments
leakage when nozzles move in
empty area

Enable retraction

Bottom/Top thickness: 1.2mm

Under the same

fill density

When fill density is less than 20%,
it’s easy for 0.6mm thickness to
cause hollow on the top. 1.2mm
normally won’t have this issue.

Bottom/Top thickness: 0.6mm

25

Bottom/Top thickness setting

20%

50%

90%

Fill Density: If strength requirement
is not so high , set 10% is ok.
Please improve fill density when
strength requirement gets higher.
Printing time will go up as well.

Fill Density

Setting

Pringting Temperature

This is default speed. If other settings aren’t changed,

it prints more accurately while the printing process
takes more time.
High printing speed takes less time while it cannot
print accurately , making the model have bad quality.
Normally 40-60 print speed is suitable for printing.

Printing Speed setting

PLA filament temperature setting: nozzle: 190-210 ℃ hotbed: 40-60℃

ABS filament temperature setting: nozzle: 230-250℃ hotbed: 60-90℃

26

Support type: Touching

Original Model

Support type: None

Support type: Everywhere

Support type setting

Attention: Normally we add support to complex model or model with vacant parts. It
may have influence on the surface if you choose everywhere. You’d better circle
around the model and try to avoid unnecessary support.

27

Brim:Touch with the adge

None: no support

Raft: Totally touch with the bottom

Support setting

Attention: please choose None if the printing platform is ready and the high temperature
adhesive tape is good. Please choose Brim when the model is small . Choosing Raft makes it
difficult to seperate model from the platform

28

Attention:
Flow is proportion of filament , we suggest to use 100
Increasing flow & decrease diameter has the similar
effect.
Model surface gets many bumps when flow is too
big;model frame gets flimsy if flow is too small.

Attention: A8 use 1.75mm filament

We suggest not to change
it , A8 default 0.4mm

We suggest not to change it ,
or use the date in the picture

We suggest 0.2mm to avoid initial layer tilt,0.3mm
is more easy to seperate from the platform.

Initial layer line proportion

“0” means using default speed

Min printing time for each layer. When the time is

less than 10 , it prints slower. It’s better to

decrease time when printing thin and long models.

We suggest not choose this when printing ABS.

29

Attention:Normally this option cannot be
changed , if changed ,it’s at your peril.

Attention:Normally this option cannot be
changed , if changed , it’s at your peril.

Ending

Starting

30

3.Expert Setting

31

1. The minimum length before retraction . Used to avoid frequent retraction. No need to
change.

2. Enable Combing: Digital for surface quality , the nozzle will try not to go through surface ,
that’s why Cura is better than Slic3r.

3. Minimum extrusion length , to avoid frequent extrusion.

1
2
3
4

Printing route
with Combing

Go aside of the
surface

Printing route
without Combing

Go through the
surface

32

Skirt is to avoid extruder unfilled before printing , and it appears only when platform

attachment type is None. Normally “1” is ok . Change it to “0” when your model reaches the

maximum size , or the printing size will be too big.

Peripheral line quantity: 1
Start distance: 3

Peripheral line quantity: 1
Start distance: 3

33

1. To ensure the attachment of model to platform , fan won’t start at the beginning.

2-4. Fan speed min & max : If they are not equal , the soft ware will choose a suitable speed
during them.

5. Condition to choose cool head lift : When it’s printing with the minimum speed but still cannot

reach the minimum time , you need to choose cool head lift . But it may cause filament leak.

34

If no solid infill top , the only qualification is the surface thickness .
Please check the detail below.

No solid infill top

With solid infill top

35

No solid infill bottom

With solid infill bottom

Infill coverlap: 20

Infill coverlap: 40

36

Structure types:lines
Infill covertap: 15
Distance X/Y: 0.7

Structure types:lines
Infill covertap: 30
Distance X/Y: 0.7

Structure types:grids
Infill covertap: 15
Distance X/Y: 0.7

These above are examples , you can set these options according to actual
requirements. The biggest progress Cura has made is the kinds of support
structure types , making it easier to seperate from the model.

37

60°

45°

30°

It’s difficult to seperate if the distance between support and the supported place is too

close; The surface will be influenced if the distance is too far.
Different angle will generate different support , you can try the examples we provide
above which will have different effect.

38

When choosing “Spiralize

the outer contour” : Z axis

rises while X,Y axis moves ,
and only a hollow bottom
and a single layer of surface.

Attention: The software defaults not open the option above , you’d better not turn it on .

When choosing “Only follow

mesh surface” : The nozzle

prints along the surface.

39

Guidance to use Brim if needed: Expert → Expert Settings → Support → Support

Types → Birm.

The images above are only for reference , please set the parameter according to
actual requirement.

Brim line amount: 10

Brim line amount: 20

40

Guidance to use Raft if needed: Expert → Expert Settings → Support → Support Types →

Raft.
The images above are only for reference , please set the parameter according to actual
requirement.

41

Load model

Save the Gcode file

Link to Youmagine

Model Display

Estimated Length of Filament

Estimated Print Time

Whirling

Scaling

Mirroring

Left click to select model and move → move model.
Slide mouse wheel → scaling.
Right click to select model and move → whirling.
Shift + right click platform and move → move platform

Left click the model and you will see the icon of “whirling, scaling, mirroring.

42

Place platform

Reset

Green: X axis

Yellow: Y axis

Red: Z axis

Scaling ratio

Modification ratio

Zoom to max size

Reset

43

Z axis mirroring

Attention: The model will be converse after mirroring.

Z axis mirroring

Z axis mirroring

44

Normal: Most used.

Transparent

X-Ray

Layers:Used to simulate the effect of
each layer and the path.

Overhang: Used to see the vacant part.

45

Right click model → Left click “Multiply
object” → Example: copy 4 model

5 models in total

Attention: You can try other
functions by yourself.

46

D. Printing Operation

1. Introduction of Display

Current extrusion rate

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

2.Install Filament

2.1 Set Preheat Mode

57

2.2 Filament Installation

58

59

2.3 Pull out filament

60

3. Platform Adjustment

61

62

4.Printing

1) SD Card Offline Printing

a. Loading mode
Cura supports STL file & G-code file.

b. Code Saving

Copy file to SD card . Then connect SD card to printer, click reset. Picture below
shows the location of print file , there are 2 methods to find print file.

c. Introduction of Stop print , Pause print , Continue Print:
Only when the printer is printing can we use Stop print, Pause print, Continue
Print.

63

d. Print model

e. Judgment of the gap between nozzle and platform.

1. Too big gap: The printed model is uneven, curled with gap. It means the gap is too big for
filament to reach the platform, making the printing effect so bad.

2. Too close gap: The printed model edge has irregular projections. It means the gap is too
close to print normally. Sometimes it even cannot output filament

3. Appropriate distance: Printed model flat with no gap, no glitches. It means the distance is
appropriate to print.

Wait to print complete after gap adjustment.

The printer will start printing
automatically when the extruder &
hotbed reaches estimated temp after you
choose print model .
Attention: If the print bottom fails to stick
to platform tight , you can adjust the
platform to make it tight during printing.

64

2) USB Online Printing

a.Machine settings ( Use USB to connect to PC )

b. Online Pringting

65

E. FAQ and Solution

1. Z Axis Ajustment

During installation, we need to test moving parts:

1. Preparation: Before Z axis moving adjustment, please confirm the height of
both Z aixs screw support is the same. ( Keep the same height of two white
parts )

66

2.Ajust concentricity

Z axis left screw support Z axis right screw support

Z motor & Flexible bearing Z motor screw locking sequence

1. Click to adjust Z axis to move ( Position → Z pos.Fast → +/- ) . If it cannot move
smoothly, you need to adjust the unsmooth side’s screw support. Try to keep them at
the same height.

2. We can also tight/loose the Z motor screw according to requirments. This is to correct
the deviation in the first time installation. Please take steps as follows to lock screws,

67

2. Nozzle blocking

A. Only a little filament left in the nozzle and difficult to take out:

Tips: We have removed fan to show obviously. Please cosider movement according
to actual requirment.

68

B. Filament full filled in spout

69

3. FAQ

No.

Symptom

Reason

Method

1

Print model
dislocation

Synchronous
wheel/belt loose.

Tighten set screws
or fasten belt

2

Glitch with the
print model

Too high temp or
slicing problem.

Extruder temp is too
high and retracting
speed & distanse is
too small

3

Foamy print model

Low temp or not
smooth filament
entering.

Rise extruder temp
or check if brass nut
and bearing is good.
Replace a nozzle if

methods above can’t

solve the problem.

4

Printer model is
warped

Hotbed level isn’t

well adjusted.

Adjust hotbed

5

Unavaliable G­code
tramsformation

Wrong
setting/wrong save
path

Choose right
machine type and
change the right
path

6

Software
installation failed

Different OS

Reset OS

7

Unusual temp

Broken temp sensor

Change a new one

70

F. Maintenance

Important maintenance tips:

1. maintenance of X,Y,Z axis: Add some lubricants on the rods to reduce
friction when the machine works noisy and a little bit shake.

2. Please refer to the USER MANUAL before printing, do preparation of
hot bed adjustment first.

3. When finished printing, the filament should keep sealing, avoid
moisture.

4. Preheat the extruder at the beginning of 2 nd time printing, let extruder
auto-push filament for a while.

5. Machine should do some regular maintenance, drop some lubricating oil
on thread rod, polished rod and bearings to avoid fatigue wear.

6. Do not let the fan and air-condition blow to the hot bed when printing.

7. Keep the working condition at “Temp:10-30℃，Humidity:20-70%”.

71

G. Maintenance policy

1. This product executes regulations of “Product Warranty Card”.

2. Please contact supplier or customer service if the product have any
problems . Do not repair it by yourself, otherwise you need to bear all the
consequences.