Top Tips For Getting Started With 3D Printing
3D printing is something that has really become much more accessible than ever before. Not only is the equipment becoming increasingly affordable, but the entire process of getting into 3D printing is much more convenient, as well. Below, we will be going over some of the top tips for getting started with 3D printing.
Tips For Getting Started With 3D Printing:
1. Get A Printer.
If you are looking to get started with 3D printing, you will want to invest in a 3D printer. There are so many different printers on the market. Ideally, you want to find one that is inexpensive and that you will be able to learn with. Luckily, there are plenty of budget 3D printers that will even allow you room to grow with. Therefore, you should be looking to make an initial investment in a beginner friendly 3D printer to get started.
2. Read The Manual.
When you are looking to get into 3D printing and you purchase a machine, you should take some time to go through the manual to ensure that you are aware of all of its features. Also, you will be able to see the recommended settings and calibration techniques.
3. Get The Right Materials.
Another important thing that you should be doing when you are just getting started is buying the right materials. You want to see what type of 3D printer you have, figure out what materials it takes, and pick the right materials for the kind of profile you are using.
4. Start With Cubes.
When you are just getting started, you want to get familiar with the design settings and you want your printer to get completely calibrated. The best way to do this is by printing out cubes. This will allow you to test for proper size calibration.
5. Keep It Clean At All Times.
One of the things that you should be doing when it comes to maintaining your machine is keeping it clean. As with all kinds of machinery, the cleaner you keep it, the longer it is going to last. You should be looking to keep your 3D printer as clean as possible. This will help components from getting jammed and it can keep your machine operating as smooth as possible.
6. Check Quality Settings.
When you are printing something, you want it to have the proper quality settings. Having the wrong settings while printing is one of the most common errors a beginner makes.
7. Learn CAD.
This is likely to take the most time. If you really want to get into 3D printing, you should look to take CAD classes or by reading books to help you learn how to use and leverage CAD software. This will help you get the most out of the machine. While you can always use the 3D printer to print out others designs, it really opens up a world of possibilities when you are able to learn CAD software yourself and begin printing your own designs.
Overall, there are plenty of different tips that you should be looking to use as a beginner that is getting started with 3D printing. If you want to get the best results from your 3D printing efforts, you should be looking to follow all of the tips above.