Quick-Start Guide

Jump right in with this quick start guide for 3D Printing on our new Bambu X1-C Print Farm.

This guide covers:

• Considerations for your 3D model/modelling process

• Our template files

• Setting up and previewing your print

• Exporting and submitting to NExT Lab

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◤What is a 3D Print?

Left: full sliced object. Right: section of sliced object

1. Layer Lines - 3D prints build up objects layers by layer.

2. Overhangs - parts of the object that require the printer to deposit thin plastic in thin air

3. Supports - automatically generated removable structures to 'support' overhangs.

4. Shells/Surfaces - the other walls of the model, expressed as a number of layers.

5. Infill - the interior of the model is usually printed with a pattern to save plastic.

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◤ Prepare a 3D-Model

Printing Considerations

1. Overhangs- You will want to minimise these by splitting up the geometry to remove overhanging parts completely or orient your geometry to reduce overhangs.

2. Orientation for aesthetic - layer lines are more obvious in certain orientations, such as gentle horizontal slopes as 3D printing is essentially built from very thin slices of a model. You may wish to orient your geometry or break up the model into pieces for the best finish on each surface.

3. Orientation for function - layer lines are also where the 3D print is the weakest; horizontal loads will break. If printing a functional part, you will need to orient your model so loads act perpendicular to the layer lines.

Minimum Dimension of Geometries for 3D-Printing

Geometry Considerations

1. We recommend scaling your model in your CAD software.

2. Ensure it fits in the 3D printer build volume; 256mm x 256mm x 256mm.

   1. If the model is too large to fit in this volume, split it up.

3. Ensure the model is a closed mesh.

4. Ensure no part of the model is unreasonably thin (< 2mms roughly) if it needs to be supported.

Export

1. Export all your printing geometry as ONE .stl file to be prepared in the next steps.

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◤ Bambu Studio Setup

Slicing refers to generating the data 3d printers need to produce your model. This is done in a slicing software where you can set and modify settings and preview the outcome.

It is a critical step in the process so pay special attention to the following steps. This will ensure you achieve the best outcome for your project and mitigate any potential printing failures.

Installation

1. Download and install Bambu Studio.

2. Follow the prompts to complete the initial setup as follows:

Click Image to Enlarge

Click Image to Enlarge

If you are prompted to select or download a network adapter, please select no. This is not required.

Once installation is complete you should see the Bambu Studio home screen.

Bambu Studio Home Screen

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◤ Template File

We have prepared a template for you that is pre-populated with all the settings you need. These are optimised for our printers and filament. Download the file below:

26KB

NExT Lab - 3DP Template.3mf

Once you download is complete, return to the main screen in Bambu Studio and select 'Open Project' on the top right-hand side. Open the template you downloaded in the previous step.

Open Project & Load Template

To verify that you have loaded the correct template; cross-check with the below.

Setting Material

In [2] above, change the material of the build plate to your desired material. Please refer to the farm's material list to see what is currently available >

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◤ Import

The cube in the template folder is a placeholder, please remove it before proceeding.

1. Import the .stl file you wish to print by dragging and dropping it onto the slicer screen.

   1. The slicer will alert you if your .stl file exceeds the boundary of the print bed.

   2. Select your object and right click -> split -> to objects.

   3. You should now be able to select all your objects individually.

Slicer Alert

2. You may need to add multiple build plates to your project. This can be useful if your print is large and cannot fit on one print plate, or you wish to print some elements in a different colour.

   1. To do this select the 'Add Plate' button. Additional plates will be added and made active. Note: Inactive plates will always appear faded.

   2. Select your objects and arrange them on the plates as required.

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◤ Arrangement and Orientation

Carefully arranging your print plates can improve efficiency and success of your print.

Bambu slicer includes an inbuilt function to simplify this process called 'Auto-Orientation'

Below are some additional methods to explore, if the native function does not suit your project.

Auto-Orientation

1. Select all your objects on a plate and press the auto orient button from the top menu.

2. With your objects still selected press the auto-arrange button to optimize the rotation and spacing on the print plate.

Auto Orientation

Auto Arrangement

Lay On Face

For a more manual approach, use the 'Lay on Face' feature.

This allows you to manually select which face is on the build plate (i.e, the bottom).

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Manual Orientation

You may use the manual move, rotate (and scale if required, although not recommended), to manually orient your prints as well. Note that Bambu Studio will automatically snap your objects so that they are on the build plate.

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◤ Slicer Settings

Since you are using the NExT Lab Template, all the key settings have been set for you. This includes supports.

For the majority of prints, there should be no need to alter these settings.

If you have a complex print, lots of overhangs, or additional strength requirements and wish to make some manual adjustments for your outcome or intentions, please visit this page:

Slicing & Settings

◤ Slice, Preview & Export

In order to submit a job, we require two file types:

1. .stl file with your 3D Geometry

2. .3mf file(s) of G-code

Important: Ensure you use the correct.

Single-Plate

For Single-Plate projects, follow these instructions:

1. File -> Export -> Export All Objects as one STL

   ⬥ Save this in a safe place using the correct naming convention.

2. Press the Slice Plate button on the top right-hand corner.

   1. This will take a moment to generate the G-code and sliced preview. Review the preview to ensure the print is coming out as expected.

   2. Once complete press the 'Export Plate sliced file' button.

      ⬥ Save this in a safe place using the correct naming convention.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

You are now ready to submit the job for printing!

Multi-Plate

For Multi-Plate projects, follow these instructions:

1. File -> Export -> Export All Objects as one STL ⬥ Save this in a safe place using the correct naming convention. ⬥ At this point, it's a good idea to preview the exported .stl to ensure that the export matches the layout in the slicer.

2. Press the Slice All button on the top right-hand corner.

   1. This will take a moment to generate the G-code. ⬥ The slicer will default to the "All Plate Stats" page. ⬥ Review the preview to ensure the print is coming out as expected.

   2. Navigate to the build plate preview and select 'Export Plate sliced file'. ⬥ Repeat this process for all you're build plates.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

You are now ready to submit the job for printing!

Using the Preview

Double check the preview to ensure that your print is coming out as expected. This preview tells you exactly how the 3d printer is moving, how much plastic it is depositing, and hence how the object will turn out!

If you need to make any adjustments to the orientation or settings; Navigate back to the 'Prepare' phase (top-left), adjust and slice again.

Examples

• Objects that are too thin will not be processed properly and you will be able to tell from the preview; look out for anything that looks incorrect!

  
• Look out for parts that are not supported - these may not print properly or at all, adjust the Support Angle to compensate and ensure all critical areas are supported.

Refer to the following for other common settings to adjust

Slicing & Settings

Save Your Project

Keep a copy of your setup in case NExT Lab needs to ask for any changes using: File > Save Project As

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◤ Pre-Submission Checklist

• STL Files

  • 1 x .stl (Exported from Bambu Studio Slicer).

• 3MF Files

  • Ensured that the print is the most efficient and properly oriented

  • Print Settings applied are appropriate for your model OR [Support] is enabled.

  • Previewed each build plate to ensure it is printing as you expected.

  • Exported .gcode.3mf for each build plate.

Ensure all files submitted follow the correct

To submit your job, navigate to the NExT Lab Print Portal and follow the instructions.

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◤ Post-Submission: Collection

Keep tabs on your emails for the status of your request.

1. You will receive an e-mail update when:

   1. Your request has been submitted to the queue and the Onedrive link to upload your files to.

   2. Your request has been approved and is awaiting printing.

   3. Your request has been successfully printed and is ready to collect along with a Shopify payment link. We require payment prior to collection.

   4. If there are any problems, instructions will given via email.