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1500 questions
7
votes
4 answers

Should you use hairspray on a metal bed 3D printer?

I've heard that using hairspray is useful for keeping the 3D objects from peeling off of the bed, but every example I have seen where someone uses hairspray, they use it on a glass bed. Is it okay to use it on a metal bed as well?
Tyler
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7
votes
3 answers

What causes gaps in small region fills and how to prevent them?

I saw this cool Nuka-Cola bottle opener. I made it: As you can see, nasty gaps have appeared in the text. What could've caused them? I am sure I set the filament diameter correctly. So why did the Slic3er not generate enough paths here to fill the…
Tomáš Zato
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7
votes
2 answers

Why does my domed print have a thin shell?

I am making a "fun button", with a dome-shaped top. The vertical sides, top center, and raised lettering seem fine, but the more sloped outer parts of the dome are very thin, with some gaps and the infill pattern is quite visible. It's almost like…
mbmcavoy
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7
votes
1 answer

How can I make this rounded enclosure feasible to print?

TL;DR - What needs to be done to the following model to ensure a successful print? As part of a father-son project we're trying to make an enclosure for a digital clock. The idea is to make a 3D printed model of a rocket with a hollow body to hold…
Jens Ehrich
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7
votes
2 answers

How can I set the position in Pronterface?

I'm in the process of building a 3D printer and have all the stepper motors wired up and the controller connected to the computer running pronterface. I can move each axis and also send g-code to the printer. Now how can I define the current…
7
votes
3 answers

Silver Solder specifications for hot end heating element

In this question I was told that I should use silver solder to connect the heating element to the power supply. (I was also told that a ceramic extruder head was the way to go, but I'm working with what I have) I bought two types of silver solider…
leeand00
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7
votes
1 answer

OctoPrint mjpg-streamer configuration

I'm running an OctoPi Raspberry Pi installation of OctoPrint, and the webcam images are too bright. I found some documentation on changing the exposure of mjpg-streamer, see github:foosel/OctoPrint/MJPG Streamer configuration, but I don't…
Steve
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7
votes
2 answers

Can a common 3D printer be used to print masks for PCBs which use SMD components?

Common 3D printers (read "cheap") may be used to print masks for PCBs (printed-circuit boards) which use PTH (through-hole) components. But can they be used to print PCBs which use SMD components? I'd like to make boards at least for Arduino-like…
7
votes
1 answer

3D Molecular Printers

Are there commercially available molecular 3D printers that can create catalytic structures like Zeolites, if not are there any research efforts underway in such field?
Mishal
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7
votes
3 answers

3D printed mold techniques for long and short term usage

3D printing can be used to make injection molds of unimaginable complexity but which kind of 3D printing process is suitable when? Suppose that a part is to be made using injection molding in large quantity for an extended period of time, what…
user_1_1_1
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7
votes
2 answers

How to use E1 as E0?

Like many people, I have burnt the pins in the micro-controller connected to the E0 motor - the E0 motor is not working anymore and I need to print tomorrow! I need to control the extruder motor with the working E1 pins. How do I change this in…
Thundercoal
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7
votes
1 answer

What is the MakerBot Grip Surface lifespan?

I've done a few prints on my MakerBot Replicator+ now and I'm curious if anyone else knows what the typical lifespan is signs of degradation are for the grip surface tape? I'm used to using Kapton tape in the past. Which will bubble, scratch, and…
tbm0115
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7
votes
1 answer

Do aluminium PCB heatbeds reduce hotspots?

TL;DR Do aluminium PCB heatbeds suffer from hotspots as much as standard PCB heatbeds, or is the presence of hot spots smoothed over by the fact that the PCB "substrate" is aluminium, and so its thermal conductivity helps spread the heat more…
Greenonline
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7
votes
4 answers

How can I determine whether my borosilicate glass is fake or not?

Is there actually a way to determine whether the sheet of glass that one has received from a Chinese supplier on eBay is actually a sheet of Borosilicate glass, and not just a piece of normal glass intended for glazing purposes? Are there any…
Greenonline
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7
votes
3 answers

Is cutting the arm off the Z-axis switch a good idea?

We all know (or should!) that the repeatability of common spring-arm limit switches is crappy at best. I'm looking to build & install one of the precision height adjusters for the Z-axis limit switch, and noticed a post on some forum suggesting…
Carl Witthoft
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