LulzBot TAZ User manual

LulzBot TAZ User Manual
Aleph Objects, Inc.

LulzBotTM TAZ User Manual
by Aleph Objects, Inc.
Copyright c 2013 Aleph Objects, Inc.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms
of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Published by Aleph Objects, Inc., 123 SW 12th Street, Loveland, Colorado, 80537 USA.
For more information, call [phone] or go to www.LulzBot.com and
www.AlephObjects.com.
ISBN: 978-0-9893784-1-3 20130729

Contents
WARNINGS
Safety Information ········· ix
Read Me First! ··························· x
Hazards and Warnings ······················· x
1Setup Your Printer ········· 13
23D Printer Software ········ 27
2.1 Software Overview ······················ 28
2.2 Drivers ····························· 28
2.3 Slic3r ······························ 28
2.4 Printrun ···························· 30
2.5 CAD and 3D Modeling Software ··············· 35
3Slic3r in Depth ·········· 37
3.1 Intro ······························ 38
3.2 Getting Slic3r ························· 38
3.3 First Slice ··························· 40
3.4 Expert Mode ························· 66
3.5 Configuration Organization ·················· 82
3.6 The Cutting Edge of Slicer ·················· 84
4Loading Print Material ········ 87
5Your First 3D Print ········· 91
5.1 Set Temperature ······················· 92
5.2 Inserting Filament Into the Extruder ············ 92
5.3 Home Printer ························· 93
5.4 Z Print Height ························· 95
5.5 Remove Part ·························· 96
6Maintaining Your 3D Printer · · · · · · 97
iii

CONTENTS
6.1 Overview ···························· 98
6.2 Smooth Rods ························· 98
6.3 PET Sheets ·························· 98
6.4 Hobbed Bolt ·························· 99
6.5 Software ···························· 99
6.6 Belts ······························ 99
6.7 Hot End ···························· 100
6.8 Electronics ··························· 100
7Advanced Usage ··········101
7.1 Intro ······························ 102
7.2 Changing nozzles ······················· 102
7.3 ABS/Acetone Glue ······················ 103
8Hardware and Software Source Code · · · · 105
93D Printer Support ·········107
9.1 LulzBot ···························· 108
9.2 Community ·························· 108
10 Contact Information ········109
10.1 Support ···························· 110
10.2 Sales ······························ 110
10.3 Websites ···························· 110
Index ·············111
Glossary ············115
iv

List of Figures
1.1 Locate the four Y axis bolts ··················· 14
1.2 Remove the four Y axis bolts ·················· 15
1.3 Locate the four Y axis mounts on the frame ·········· 16
1.4 Screw in and tighten the four Y axis bolts ··········· 16
1.5 Connect the two connectors found at the rear of the Y axis · · 17
1.6 Connect the two connectors on the left of the print bed ···· 18
1.7 Locate the two zip ties found in the bag with the manual ··· 18
1.8 Tightly wrap the zip ties around the bed wires and through the
strain relief slot ·························· 19
1.9 Power supply and USB receptacles ··············· 20
1.10 Power supply ··························· 21
1.11 12V DC Power supply plug and receptacle ··········· 21
1.12 The power supply plug correctly plugged in ··········· 22
1.13 Filament Guide ·························· 23
1.14 Filament Guide Setting ······················ 23
1.15 Axes movement directions ···················· 24
1.16 End stop locations ························ 25
2.1 Slic3r application, STL to Gcode generator ··········· 29
2.2 Printrun application for 3D printer control ··········· 31
2.3 Printrun controls ························· 32
2.4 Printrun viewer ·························· 34
3.1 Configuration Wizard: Welcome Screen ············· 41
3.2 Configuration Wizard: Firmware Type ············· 42
3.3 Configuration Wizard: Bed Size ················· 43
3.4 Configuration Wizard: Nozzle Diameter ············· 44
3.5 Configuration Wizard: Filament Diameter ··········· 45
3.6 Configuration Wizard: Extrusion Temperature ········· 46
3.7 Configuration Wizard: Bed Temperature ············ 47
3.8 Configuration Wizard: End ··················· 48
3.9 Simple Mode: Print Settings. ·················· 51
3.10 Creating a vase from a solid model. ··············· 52
3.11 An example of support material. ················· 53
v

List of Figures
3.12 An example of brim. ······················· 54
3.13 Simple Mode: Filament Settings. ················ 55
3.14 Simple Mode: Printer Settings. ················· 57
3.15 Shapesmith online CAD tool. ·················· 61
3.16 Plater ······························· 62
3.17 Minimug model. ·························· 63
3.18 STL file loaded. ·························· 63
3.19 FreeCAD part repair. ······················· 65
3.20 Expert mode speed options. ··················· 67
3.21 Infill pattern settings. ······················· 69
3.22 Infill pattern: Line (344.51mm / 5m:20s) ············ 69
3.23 Infill pattern: Rectilinear (350.57mm / 5m:23s) ········ 69
3.24 Infill pattern: Concentric (351.80mm / 5m:30s) ········· 70
3.25 Infill pattern: Honeycomb (362.73mm / 5m:39s) ········ 70
3.26 Infill pattern: Hilbert Curve (332.82mm / 5m:28s) ······· 70
3.27 Infill pattern: Archimedean Chords (333.66mm / 5m:27s) ··· 70
3.28 Infill pattern: Octagram Spiral (318.63mm / 5m:15s) ····· 71
3.29 Infill pattern comparison in a complex object. Left to Right:
honeycomb, line ·························· 71
3.30 Infill patterns at varying densities. Left to Right:
20%,40%,60%,80%. Top to Bottom: Honeycomb, Concentric,
Line, Rectilinear, Hilbert Curve, Archimedean Chords,
Octagram Spiral ·························· 72
3.31 Infill advanced settings. ······················ 73
3.32 Retraction settings. ························ 74
3.33 Skirt settings. ··························· 76
3.34 Cooling strategy. ························· 77
3.35 Cooling advanced settings. ···················· 79
3.36 Support structure options. ···················· 80
3.37 Minimug model, tilted 45◦.···················· 81
3.38 Support infill pattern: Rectilinear ················ 81
3.39 Support infill pattern: Rectilinear Grid ············· 81
3.40 Support infill pattern: Honeycomb ················ 82
3.41 Example of pattern angle rotated 45◦.·············· 82
3.42 Saving a profile. ·························· 84
3.43 Deleting a profile. ························· 84
4.1 Filament spool mount parts ··················· 88
vi

List of Figures
4.2 Filament spool mount front ··················· 89
4.3 Filament spool mount back ···················· 89
4.4 Filament run through the guide ················· 90
5.1 Extruder idler release ······················· 92
5.2 Extruder filament slot ······················ 93
5.3 Nozzle height ··························· 94
5.4 Z end stop trigger ························· 94
5.5 First layer adhesion ························ 95
vii

WARNINGS
Safety Information

WARNING!
Read Me First!
READ THIS MANUAL COMPLETELY BEFORE UNPACKING AND
POWERING UP YOUR PRINTER.
Hazards and Warnings
The TAZ 3D printer has motorized and heated parts. When the printer is
in operation always be aware of possible hazards.
Electric Shock Hazard
Never open the electronics case when the printer is powered on. Before
removing the electronics case cover always power down the printer and
completely turn off and unplug the power supply and allow the power
supply to discharge for at least 1 minute.
Burn Hazard
Never touch the extruder nozzle or heater block without first turning off the
hot end and allowing it to completely cool down. The hot end can take up
to twenty minutes to completely cool. Also, never touch recently extruded
plastic. The plastic can stick to your skin and cause burns. Also beware
of the heated bed which can reach high temperatures capable of causing
burns.
Fire Hazard
Never place flammable materials or liquids on or near the printer when
powered or in operation. Liquid acetone and vapours are extremely
flammable.
Pinch Hazard
When the printer is in operation take care to never put your fingers in the
moving parts including the belts, pulleys, or gears. Also, tie back long hair
or clothing that can get caught in the moving parts of the printer.
x

HAZARDS AND WARNINGS
Static Charge
Make sure to ground yourself before touching the printer, especially the
electronics. Electrostatic charge can damage electronic components. To
ground yourself touch a grounded source.
Age Warning
For users under the age of 18, adult supervision is recommended. Beware
of choking hazards around small children.
xi

Setup Your Printer

Setup Your Printer
Locate the unpacking document and follow the steps to unpack your
printer before you move on to the Setup steps.
1. Your printer has been pre-calibrated and tested; however, after
unpacking all of the components you will need to re-mount the Y axis
onto the frame and connect the bed and Y axis connectors. Please
follow the steps completely to make certain that the Y axis is re-
mounted correctly and you will be on your way to your first print.
2. Place the TAZ frame and Y axis assembly on a flat and level surface.
Bring your attention to the Y axis assembly and find the four Y axis
bolts. The four bolts, located on the Y axis aluminum frame bars,
have large plastic knobs that allow the bolts to be easily turned by
hand (Fig. 1.1, page 14). Turning counter clock-wise, remove each of
the four Y axis bolts and set aside (Fig. 1.2, page 15).
Figure 1.1: Locate the four Y axis bolts
14

LulzBotTM TAZ User Manual
Figure 1.2: Remove the four Y axis bolts
3. On the TAZ frame locate the four Y axis mount brackets shown in Fig.
1.3 (pg. 16). With the print surface facing up and the stepper motor
end of the Y axis facing back, slide the Y axis assembly in between
the Y axis mount brackets. The four Y axis mount brackets will line
up with the Y axis bolt holes on the Y axis assembly. Thread the four
Y axis bolts through the brackets, into the Y axis assembly (Fig. 1.4,
page 16). Before completely tightening the Y axis bolts make sure
the Y axis aluminum bars are pushed down against the TAZ frame
lower bars. You can do this by slightly tilting the printer, on the side
edge, enough to lift the feet of the Y axis off of the table. The weight
of the Y axis will seat it against the TAZ frame. While the printer is
slightly tilted tighten the four Y axis bolts. The printer can be now
be set flat on the table.
15

Setup Your Printer
Figure 1.3: Locate the four Y axis mounts on the frame
Figure 1.4: Screw in and tighten the four Y axis bolts
16

LulzBotTM TAZ User Manual
4. The final step of installing the Y axis is connecting the print surface
connectors and Y axis connectors. Pull the print bed completely to
the front of the printer to get access to the Y axis connectors. You
will find matching male and female 4 pin stepper motor connectors
and two pin end stop connectors. Connect the matching male and
female connectors (Fig. 1.5, page 17); make sure the connector lock
clicks to be sure that the connection is secure.
Figure 1.5: Connect the two connectors found at the rear of the Y axis
5. Locate the two connectors to the left of the print bed. Connect the
matching female and male large two pin heat bed connectors and the
small two pin connectors (Fig. 1.6, page 18).
6. Locate the two small black zip ties that are included in the documents
bag (Fig. 1.7, page 18). Wrap the two zip ties through the slot,
located on the left rear of the aluminum bed plate, and around the
print bed wires (Fig. 1.8, page 19). Tighten the zip ties snug so the
wire cannot move freely. Cut off the excess end of the zip ties with
the needle nose pliers included in the tool bag.
17

Setup Your Printer
Figure 1.6: Connect the two connectors on the left of the print bed
Figure 1.7: Locate the two zip ties found in the bag with the manual
18

LulzBotTM TAZ User Manual
Figure 1.8: Tightly wrap the zip ties around the bed wires and through the
strain relief slot
7. Now that the Y axis is mounted you should set your printer on a
stable, flat, and level surface large enough for extra space around the
printer. Make sure your printer work space is clear of anything that
could obstruct the movement of the printer. Make sure there are no
flammable fabrics or liquids near the printer space. It is also best to
not put your printer near a drafty window or air conditioner vent.
8. Unwrap the power supply and USB cables.
MAKE SURE THE POWER SUPPLY IS COMPLETELY UN-
PLUGGED BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE NEXT STEP.
9. Locate the power supply and USB receptacles along the back of the
TAZ electronics enclosure (Fig. 1.9, page 20). Locate the power supply
and the included AC power cable (Fig. 1.10, page 21). Locate the
DC power cable plug on the power supply. Connect the DC locking
plug into the DC connector on the TAZ electronics enclosure (Fig.
1.11, page 21). The plug is keyed which may require rotating the plug
until the keys line up and the plug can be pushed in. Once you have
19

Setup Your Printer
pushed in the plug turn the locking sleeve clockwise until it is tight
against the electronics enclosure (Fig. 1.12, page 22).
Figure 1.9: Power supply and USB receptacles
20