If you’ve just bought your first 3D printer, you’ll quickly have become aware of the multitude of challenges you face when you’re trying to produce accurate and reliable results. At CAD Culture, we specialise in 3D printing and know just how fun and exciting it can be. We want to share some of our tips and advice so you can have just as much fun with it at home.
 
1. Make sure your 3D printer wasn’t damaged in transit
 
This is often overlooked, but before you use your printer, it’s a good idea to make sure it wasn’t damaged in transit. When rods are bent, extruders out of alignment or glass build plates are cracked; you won’t be able to correctly print. If you find you have a broken piece in your printer, report it to the manufacturer straight away.
 
2. Spend time getting to know your 3D printer
 
Once you’ve set up your printer, don’t be afraid to get to know it. Try printing out different objects using a range of different settings, so you have a better idea of what your printer is like. The one thing you may want to avoid until you’re more confident with your printer is using different materials. Similarly, don’t be afraid to take it apart when you need to, as this is a great way to get to know exactly how your printer works.
 
You can also join 3D print communities as a way to gain a deeper knowledge of 3D printing in general, and you may get some great tips on how to use your printer.
 
3. Accept your 3D printer isn’t magic
 
3D printers are getting close to being magic- they’re amazing feats of technology, but you will need to put a lot of thought into your design to print your desired results. A lot of printers can’t print from thin air, so if your model has a large overhang, it’ll print a lot better if you reorient it to lie down on the print bed, or divided into separate pieces that don’t need support.
 
4. It’s fine to use hacks and cheats
 
Somewhat related to point 3, the purpose of your printer is to have a completed object to take from the print bed, not have a magical machine that produces designs without human input. Don’t be afraid to use little cheats, such as pausing the print and super-gluing the first layer so everything stays in place, to produce something you’ll be proud to show off.
 
5. Learn to use CAD software
 
Using 3D software can be a bit of a learning curve, but with programmes such as Rhino 3D, you’ll have the ability to design your own models from scratch and before long, utilise the full power of your printer. Whilst starting out with other people’s models to print can be fun, you’ll soon come up with a better idea and CAD will help you make it a reality.