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1500 questions
20
votes
9 answers

What is the best 3D modeling software for a beginner on a 3D printed mini barrel project?

My goal is to 3D print a 5 liter miniature barrel with a side stand, similar to this wooden one on Amazon. I want it to have a removable top so that a boxed wine bladder may be put inside, and there should be a hole on the top as well so that the…
Maxim Berezin
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20
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6 answers

Can I mix ABS and PLA when recycling filament?

I'm thinking of recycling some filament from a couple of recently failed prints. I can reuse them in the future for basic prototypes, so I'm not concerned with whatever weird mixture of colors come out (they are of a few different colors). The thing…
HDE 226868
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20
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2 answers

In Cura, can I make my top and bottom layer be all perimiters?

I'm using Cura to slice my prints. I've noticed that when printing the bottom layer (and also the top layer, if it's flat), it first prints three walls, then fills in the middle by moving back and forth in straight lines. I've noticed that for my…
N. Virgo
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20
votes
6 answers

3D printing for outdoor use: "What types of filament are most weather resistant?"

I'd like to print modifications for my bird feeder, both to patch over the hail damage from last summer and to try to deter the neighborhood squirrels. I have an FDM printer (and experience with nylon, ABS, and PLA, though don't restrict answers to…
1337joe
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19
votes
2 answers

What is Thermal Runaway Protection?

What is Thermal Runaway Protection (TRP) and why should I enable it? How does one do so in Marlin?
Trish
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19
votes
6 answers

How to remove white marks from PLA

When you cut or break a PLA model (for example to remove support) it often leaves an ugly while mark where the removed piece was connected. Sanding also tend to leave dull white scratches on the sanded surface. What can I do to restore the white…
Nir
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19
votes
2 answers

Why all the excitement about linear rails?

Whenever a 3D printer that uses linear rails is announced (case in point: the cetus), the Internet (well... at least that corner of it dealing with 3D printing) gets abuzz with excitement. I researched a bit the topic myself, and while I understand…
mac
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19
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2 answers

How do I 3D-print fair dice?

As 3D printers become more and more reliable, their prints get better and better. But FDM printers do have their problems too: you print tiny ovals that smooch together at the edges, and infill makes it awkward at times. So, how do I make a…
Trish
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19
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13 answers

What could be causing my y axis to slip?

Occasionally, while printing, my y axis will slip and the layer will, from that point forward, be shifted, ruining the print. What might be the causes of an axis slipping? I have tried cooling the motor which seemed to have been getting warm, and…
Matt Clark
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19
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2 answers

Chocolate printing

I have seen lots of printers that print chocolate using a syringe with molten chocolate. But, even cooler, would it be possible to print chocolate using some kind of feed system for continuous chocolate printing, so large objects and for a prolonged…
19
votes
4 answers

Are there any metals that exhibit a large glass state?

Plastic is used in 3D FDM/FFF printing partly because it had a wide temperature range for its glass state - where it can be flowed with some force, but won't flow due only to gravity. Most metals have a very narrow, or non-existant, glass state. …
Adam Davis
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19
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3 answers

Filament extrudes at an angle

On one of the nozzles on my printer, the filament comes out at a 45 degree angle. It seems that this causes problems with adhesion to the bed and overall quality. What caused this problem? How do I fix it? How do I prevent it from happening in…
Eric Johnson
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19
votes
6 answers

What causes bubbles in extruded filament?

I've noticed this on almost ever print I've ever had. On the initial first line that clears the extruder nozzle tiny little bubbles/craters seem to form on the line. While I don't think these are causing any issue with my prints I'm curious to know…
Diesel
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19
votes
7 answers

Tool to measure in STL files

I want to create parts for a 3D printer using OpenSCAD. Having some STL files from the vendor, but nothing else (no technical drawing, no CAD files). Does anybody knows a free tool, that allows me to measure distances between 2 selected…
Thomas S.
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19
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5 answers

How to achieve dimensional accuracy of printed parts?

When designing parts that should either fit with external objects or other printed parts, what measures can one take to ensure that the dimensions of the final print are accurate and fit the other object? To my knowledge, you at least have two…
Tormod Haugene
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