Good Morning from my Robotics Lab! This is Shadow_8472 with a side project for the week. Let’s get started!
I’ve had a hit/miss relationship with my 3D printer. Some of the time, it works great, but when it’s not, I’m having to scavenge a solution to whatever is ailing it.
Fan
One fateful project, I chipped a couple fan blades off in my attempt to service it while in operation; it seemed like a good idea at the time. Don’t repeat this mistake at home. In the case you do, there exist sets of replacement blades. I was able to print one up on my damaged printer, and were it not for clipping right through one of the posts holding the motor in place, it would have worked beautifully. Instead, it would grind loudly whenever I started the printer up. I would always have to tap it a few times until it managed to find its balance.
The only real fix for this problem was a replacement fan. We had to be careful when ordering one when considering its size, voltage, and pin count. We ended up with a close enough match I was able to install it with few questions – there are tear-down tutorials for in-depth instructions. The cord was way longer than it needed to be, so for my installation, wrapped it around the box behind the printhead a couple times before plugging it in.
Bed
And then there is the printer bed. Metal warps with heat cycles – especially when it’s made on the cheap. Aluminum print beds are no exception. Mine has reached the point of unusability having formed itself into somewhat of a slight bowl or saddle. Note that this is after giving it a gnarly scratch right in the middle.
This too took a replacement part. We ordered one for my specific model of printer (Maker Select Plus) and it arrived at the same time as the fan. Judging by follow-up research, borosilicate glass is preferred as a print surface, though cheaper, more thermally sensitive glass like you’d find in windows can also work as long as the operator is careful. My glass plate is affixed with four small binder clips, which I will need to mind as my favorite test print for leveling the bed sends the extruder right through them.
Takeaway
One key element I was not prepared for before printing a Benchy this week was hair spray. Makers love their Aqua Net hair spray. Another common-sense recommendation was not to use the metal spatula that came with the printer as it could damage the new bed.
Final Question
Have you ever 3D printed on glass? I look forward to hearing about your experience in the comments below or on my Socials.