3D Printer First Print

Introduction

Here is a full procedure for getting the 3D printer to its first print.

Steps

1. Build frame. 3 detailed Finished Pictures showing the amount of epoxy used on inside bottom, inside sides, and inside top. Time.
2. Build Y Left Axis twice. Finished Picture from the side opposite of the motor. Time.
3. Build Y Right Axis twice. Finished Picture from the opposite side of the motor. Time.
4. Build X axis. Finished picture from opposite of the motor side. Time.
5. Glue first cable chain piece onto the carriage as needed.
6. Glue 2 endstops to X and Y axes as needed.
7. Build extruder assembly. Finished picture. Time.
8. Build heated bed (PEI addition + twist white wire around red. Finished picture from both sides. Time.
9. Build control panel. Finished picture from both sides. Time.
10. Mount Y axes and Z axes. Finished Picture. Time.
11. Mount the X axis. Finished picture. Time.
12. Mount heated bed holder (without heated bed per se). Finished picture. Time.
13. Mount extruder. Finished picture. Time.
14. Mount actual heated bed - locating the homing point at the upper left corner.
15. Do cable chain and all wire routing and tidying. 3 Finished pictures of complete printer: from the front, from the control panel side, and from left front side. Time.
16. Mount spool holder and filament. Finished Picture. Time.

Print

1. Print Cube while tethered to the computer. This provides a quick test of printer performance, and allows for fine tuning of the first layer.
   1. Start with Z offset of -1 (stock value)
   2. Fine tune the first layer on the fly to get a good print using Babystepping (LCD Menu -> Tune -> Babystepping Z)
   3. Add this babystepping value to the Z offset and save in memory to fine tune the first layer - the printer is good for production printing at this point.
   4. Print the test cube again - and show that without any adjustment - the print is correct.
   5. Take picture of the new Z offset on the LCD, and take a picture of the bottom of the print (first layer) to show a good print start.
2. Upload .ini file for this printer to your certification page on your log. This is for troubleshooting.
3. Generate 3DBenchy gcode. Compress and Upload your 3DBenchy gcode to your certification page.
4. Insert SD card with test 3DBenchy. Print at normal speed.
5. You can stop the time lapse here.
6. Take 8 pictures of your first 3DBenchy.
   1. top for layer quality
   2. bottom for first layer adhesion
   3. front to observe symmetry
   4. back for fine letters and symmetry
   5. right side for overhang quality
   6. left side.
   7. Finally, the length (60 mm / 2.4in) measurement
   8. ...and width measurement (31 mm / 1.2in)
7. Make any adjustments on your printer if needed, print another Benchy, and take the same 8 pictures again.
8. Upload your time lapse video to your kit certification page - embedded as a YouTube video.