Printrbot Simple Getting Started Manual

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Printrbot

Getting Started Guide

For models:

Simple

Software:

Mac - Repetier v 0.56

Windows - Repetier v 0.90C

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Contents

4 Chapter 1: Welcome

4 Overview 4 Support

5 Chapter 2: Your Printrbot has arrived... now what?

5 Printrbot Kits 5 Pre-Assembled Printrbots

6 Chapter 3: Building your Printrbot

6 Required and optional tools 6 Assembly instructions

6 Help during assembly

7 Chapter 4: Install Software

8 Chapter 5: Connect your Printrbot

9 Chapter 6: Congure Software

9 Congure Repetier printer settings 9 Connection

10 Behavior 10 Dimension

11 Congure Slic3r settings 11 Layers and perimeters

12 Inll 12 Skirt and brim

13 Filament 14 General

14 Extruder 1

15 Your saved selections

16 Chapter 7: Functional Pre-Print Test

16 Connect to the printer 16 Test the Z axis

16 Test the X axis 17 Test the Y axis

17 Test the extruder with initial burn-in temperature 18 Troubleshooting

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19 Chapter 8: Printing your First 3D Model

19 Download le 19 Add .STL le

19 Scale your 3D model 20 Slice

21 Connect 21 Set temperatures

21 Temperature curve 21 Run

21 After the print completes 21 Congratulations

22 Chapter 9: Advanced Printing

22 Technical Forums 22 Community

23 Chapter 10: Common Issues and Troubleshooting

23 Filament is not extruding 23 Print not sticking to bed

23 Head is dragging across the print 24 Print not correct size (G-Code)

24 Other problems

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Welcome

Read this guide to learn about your Printrbot, how to make your rst 3D print, and more.

Overview

The purpose of this guide is to get you printing your 3D models as soon as possible! Whether you have a pre-assembled Printrbot or a build it yourself kit, this guide will walk you through

the necessary steps to a successful rst print. So let’s get going!

Support

If at any time you need help or get stuck, please check our FAQ page and then open a support

ticket if necessary. www.printrbot.com/support/

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Your Printrbot has Arrived... now what?

The arrival of your bot can not only be exciting, but we realize it can be overwhelming at rst. If you have received an assembled bot, your work is already nearly done. However, those with a

kit have a little bit more work to do. But fear not, our support team is here to help and we will make sure you are printing in no time!

Printrbot Kits

If you have a Printrbot kit, proceed to Chapter 3: Building your Printrbot

Pre-Assembled Printrbots

If you have a pre-assembled Printrbot, please skip to Chapter 4: Install Software

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Building your Printrbot

Required and optional tools

Required Tools

Optional Tools

Phillips Screwdriver

8mm or 5/16 inch Wrench

1/2 inch Wrench

2.5mm Allen Wrench

1.5mm Allen Wrench

Hammer or Rubber Mallet

Wood or Super Glue

utility knife at hand le cordless drill

7/64" drill bit 9/64" drill bit

4" C Clamp

micro cutters

slim needle nose pliers

Before you begin to assemble your bot, please note that you are going to need several tools. Below is a listing of the typical tools used for assembling a Printrbot Plus. This list should cover

you for both the LC and jr as well, however there may be a few other items you will need to purchase depending on which version Printrbot you have.

Assembly Instructions

Download the appropriate instructions for your model from www.printrbot.com/

support/. We recommend using a

combination of both the Step by Step Installation Guides as well as the Build Videos. Our designs have changed slightly since the time these instructions were originally created. However, using these in tandem will help to clarify the process during assembly.

Help During Assembly

If you get stuck during assembly, we recommend browsing our technical forum at

www.printrbottalk.com as we have several power users and moderators that can give you quick

assistance and troubleshooting help. However, if you are unable to resolve your issues please

open a support ticket at www.printrbot.com/support/.

Note: During the build process, some sub assemblies (such as the extruder) are detailed in their own build instructions.

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Install Software

Now that your bot is fully assembled, the next step is to install the printing software on your computer so that you can actually print a 3D model. While there are various free printing

software on the market, we currently use and recommend Repetier http://www.repetier.com/ when rst getting started. It’s easy to use and supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Once

installed, the typical workow is as follows:

1. Create a 3d model and export it in STL format or get it from the internet.

2. Arrange one or more models on a virtual print plate.

3. Slice the the models into thin slices and compute a path for printer head. This is done

by a slicing software, which converts the model into g-code, the language your printer

speaks.

4. Check the created g-code for errors and printability.

5. Send the g-code to your printer or copy the code to a SD card, which you can insert

into your printer.

6. Monitor your printer.

Select your platform and download Repetier from www.repetier.com/download/ and install the software using the default congurations.

Windows users only: Download the required USB driver from http://pjrc.com/teensy/

serial_install.exe, right click on it and "Run as Administrator" to install the INF ﬁle. It

should create a new COM port that you can then use in Repetier to connect to the printer. For more information please see http://printrbot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/

Printrbot-Getting-Started-Guide2.pdf

Windows 8 users: If you are having trouble installing the driver, please try the steps on http://

www.nextofwindows.com/how-to-install-an-un-signed-3rd-party-driver-in-windows-8/

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Connect your Printrbot

1. Find a secure table or at surface on which to print.

2. Place your printer close to your computer and plug in the power source for your bot.

3. Plug in the mini USB cable to the back of your Printrbot and connect the other end to a

USB port on your computer.

4. You should now have the Printrbot powered on and connected to your computer.

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Congure Software

The following settings are recommendations for your rst prints. Over time you can change and modify them as you get more familiar with your printer as diﬀerent 3D models often

require diﬀerent settings for a more accurate and precise print. The reason for this is that your 3D printer is more like a tool than an appliance. Every 3D model is unique and often requires a

diﬀerent “tool” to get the job done. So you will nd over time that certain settings work better than others. It’s also worthy to note that the printers themselves often have their own

personalities and quirks as they have been assembled by hand. So expect to have small issues here and there as time goes on. With that said, let’s get your software congured!

Note: The following screenshots are taken for both Mac and Windows. Be sure to complete all of the settings elds to match exactly on your computer.

Congure Repetier Printer Settings

Open Repetier and click on Printer Settings at the top right for both Mac and Windows.

Connection

Select the port that matches your USB connection and set the Baud Rate to 250000. Click the Add button and type “Simple” into the text eld that pops up. Change the cache size to 63 and click Apply and then OK.

Mac Windows

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Behavior

Set the extruder temperature to 200 and the heated bed to 0 degrees. Travel Feedrate should be 4800 and check the following boxes.

Mac Windows

Dimension

Set all print area settings to 100mm. Click Apply and then OK.

Mac Windows

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Congure Slic3r Settings

Select Slicer within Repetier and click on the Congure button Mac

Windows

Layers and perimeters

0.3 mm is a good place to start for layer height

Mac

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Windows

Inll

Rectilinear is a good place to start for ll patterns

Mac Windows

Skirt and brim

Set Loops to 2 and save settings.

Mac

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Windows

Filament

Set your lament to 1.75 and extruder temp to 200 for both rst and all other layers.

Mac

Windows

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General

Make sure your bed size is set to 100mm and 50mm center points.

Mac Windows

Extruder 1

Standard tip size with all bots is currently 0.4 mm. Otherwise enter the appropriate diameter to match the tip you are using. Save your settings.

Mac

Windows

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Your saved selections

Your settings should now look like this screen on the main Slicer settings screen.

Mac

Windows

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Functional Pre-Print Test

Before testing your rst print, you need to make sure all of your axis are working as expected on your bot. Connect your printer to your computer and make sure both of them are powered on.

Connect to the printer

Click on the Connect button and it should turn green to indicate your are properly connected

Test the Z axis

Click on both the 10 and -10 buttons for the Z axis. Your extruder should be able to move up and down freely.

Mac Windows

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Test the X axis

Click on both the 10 and -10 buttons for the X axis. Your extruder should be able to move left and right freely.

Mac Windows

Test the Y axis

Click on both the 10 and -10 buttons for the z axis. Your printer’s bed should be able to move forwards and backwards freely.

Mac Windows

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Test the extruder with initial burn-in temperature

Set your Extruder temperature to 200 and click Set. When the temp has reached 200, open the extruder latch and feed the lament down into the hot end opening at the hobbed bolt area. For easier access, we recommend trimming the lament at an angle.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any movement issues with your axis or extruder, double check the assembly instructions and check the technical forum at www.printrbottalk.com for possible quick x solutions. If you are unable to resolve the problem quickly, please open a support ticket.

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Printing your First 3D Model

Now that your bot is assembled, connected to your computer, and the software installed - it’s time to run your rst test print!

Download File

Go towww.thingiverse.comand nd something to print. For your rst print, we recommend either the5mm Calibration CubeorMr. Jaws. Click on the big blue Download button and

select either an individual le or the entire zip le. 

Add STL File

After you have downloaded a model, open Repetier and add the .STL le

Mac Windows

Scale Your 3D Model

Depending on the size of your 3D Model you may need to resize it. Look at the 3D image in the Repetier window and how it relates to the box. If it is outside the boundaries of the box then you will need to scale the model down. Go to Scale. The X value will automatically be set to 1 which means 100%. Change the X value and press enter (.5 = 50%, .35 = 35%).

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Mac

Windows

Slice

The le will drop into the print space, next click on Slice with Slic3r in the Slicer tab.

Mac Windows

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Connect

When the slice has completed, click on the Connect button.

Set Temperatures

Next up , you need to set the extruder temp. Click on the Print Panel and scroll down to set the temperatures (Extruder 195 for PLA and Heated bed 0) be sure to click the Set buttons. Also, please note that you should now have a green connect button to indicate that you are connected to your computer.

Temperature Curve

Now click on the Temperature Curve and watch the graph as the extruder and heat bed rise in temp. You need to make sure that both of them reach the purple lines before proceeding to the next step.

Run

Once the proper temperatures have been reached, you can then click on Run to start the print.  Please note that it may take several seconds (or longer) before your print actually begins. Once it does start, the printer will move to home position (if it's not there already) and then begin to print. The rst thing it will do is lay down a perimeter line around the area of your model and then it will start the nal print.

After the print completes

The extruder and heat bed will turn oﬀ automatically. Allow several minutes to cool before you attempt to remove your print from the bed. Please note that the prints can often be rmly attached to the bed. To remove them, you can slightly twist the print when pulling up as this will help to break it free. You can also try to leverage a thin object underneath the print to pry it upward when lifting, but we recommend caution with this approach as you don't want to cut or damage the bed with a sharp object like an Exacto blade, etc. 

Congratulations, you have completed your rst 3D print on the Simple!

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Advanced Printing

Now that you have done some basic prints, where do you go from here? Well, your journey has just begun as there are lots of advanced techniques for printing highly precise and complex

prints; such as micro sized prints and complex objects.

Technical Forums

Please visit our technical forum at www.printrbottalk.com as we have several power users that have pushed the limits on what is possible with a 3D printer. They will be able to give you

suggestions and advice on how to successfully print even the most complex objects.

Community

We also suggest checking out www.reprap.org and interacting with the rest of the 3D community. Their community portal and New Development pages have more information on

how to get involved.

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Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Filament is not extruding

The possible issue may be that either the hot end temp wasn't set to 15 for ABS or 195 for PLA and/or the lament wasn't being pulled down into the extruder. If the lament is still in the hot

end, heat up the hot end to 15 for ABS or 195 for PLA degrees and then open the top latch on the extruder and pull the lament out. 

Check the small grooves in the hobbed bolt where the extruder goes into the hot end. The grooves may be clogged with lament as this happens when the temp isn't hot enough and

then the lament just ends up grinding against that hobbled bolt. Use an Exacto knife to clean out all of the grooves completely. Then snip oﬀ the end of the lament at an angle and push it

down into the hot end with medium pressure and you should see it extrude out the bottom.  Just make sure that your hot end temp has reached 215 for ABS or 195 for PLA before doing

this. You can click on the temp graph in Repetier to view the current temps.

If you see lament coming out the bottom when manually pushing, pull out the lament, retrim the tip, and then feed the lament between the two long bolts on the top latch down into

the extruder hole where the hobbled bolt is. Then close the top latch to lock it into place.  Make sure your computer is connected to the printer and that you are connected in Repetier. 

Then click on the manual extrude button to make sure it comes out.

Print not sticking to bed

We recommend using common masking tape when printing PLA. Be sure that the tape is covering your desired printing surface. If the print is still not sticking, try lightly sanding the

masking tape with a ne grit sand paper.

Head is dragging across the print

If the nozzle seems to drag through the plastic of the previous layer as it is printing then ﬁrst check to be sure that the thermal wrap on the print head is secure and is not hanging below

the level of the nozzle. If it is then slide it up slightly so that it is clear of the print surface. Be careful, if your heater is turned on then it will be hot! Make sure there is no plastic debris on or

around the nozzle that may have been left over from a prior print -- even a small piece of plastic stuck to the side of the nozzle can ruin a print.

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Print not correct size (G-Code)

Verify values for X,Y,Z by typing command M501. Values should be X119 Y119 Z2020 E100. If for some reason values are not this, change with G-code command M92 X119. Save settings on rmware with M500 command. Type M501 to verify change has been made.