NWA3D Afinibot A31 User manual

NWA3D A31 User Manual
1. 3D Printer Parts Diagram
2. Assembly
3. Fine Tuning
4. Leveling the Build Plate
5. Loading and Unloading Filament
6. Operation: The Four Steps of 3D Printing
7. Troubleshooting
8. Glossary of 3D Printing Terms
9. Additional Resources
© 2018 NWA3D LLC Version 2.1

NWA3D A31 User Manual
1. 3D Printer Parts Diagram
FRONT
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 1

NWA3D A31 User Manual
BACK
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 2

NWA3D A31 User Manual
2. Assembly
1. Remove the parts from the box and remove any tape and padding from the
parts. Inspect the parts to make sure they were not damaged in shipment.
Packing list:
●Base frame
●Gantry frame
●Power & control box
●Power cord
●M5x20 machine screw (4)
●Washer (4)
●Frame reinforcement plates (2)
●Spool holder bracket
●Spool holder tube
●Spool holder thumb screws (2)
●Sample spool of filament
●USB–miniUSB cable
●Maintenance tool kit
●Scraper
●Nozzle cleaner
●microSD card with USB adapter
●Spare parts bag with extra fasteners, nozzle, and Bowden tube coupler
2. Install the gantry frame (A) to the base frame (B).
a. On the gantry frame, make sure the nozzle assembly is on the front, and
the long vertical lead screw is on the back. On the base frame, make sure
the black belt cover is on the front, and the motor is on the back.
b. Use the M5x20 screws (4) and lock washers (4). Raise the base frame
above the table with two blocks (boxes, books, etc.) Install the screws
through the base frame into the threaded holes in the gantry frame.
Tighten with the M5 hex key (Allen) wrench.
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 3

NWA3D A31 User Manual
A B
3. Install the two T-shaped frame reinforcement plates. The plate with a limit
switch goes on the left (the side with the leadscrew). The plate with no limit
switch goes on the right.
a. Loosen the t-nuts by hand so that they will fit into the grooves on the
frames. You want the nuts to be loose so that when you tighten the bolts,
the nuts will rotate 90°C and grab onto the inside of the groove.
b. Align the nuts to the grooves and insert the T-shaped plates into the
frames.
c. Tighten all eight bolts using the M4 hex key (Allen) wrench.
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 4

NWA3D A31 User Manual
4. Attach the Bowden tube coming out of the hot end to the brass tube coupler
on the extruder. Firmly push the tube into the connector on the extruder. You
should feel it slide in and lock into place.
5. Install the filament spool holder.
a. Attach the bracket to the top of the power & control box using two
thumbscrews. Tighten the screws by hand. Do not overtighten.
b. Remove the nut from one side of the filament holder tube. Install the tube
into the bracket and re-install the nut to hold it in place. Tighten the nut
by hand so that the tube is snugly attached to the bracket. Do not
overtighten.
c. Tighten the nut on the other end of the tube by hand. Do not overtighten.
6. Place the power & control box on the left side of the base plate, as shown in
the image on Page 1 of this manual.
7. Connect all electrical cables.
a. On the right side of the power & control box, make sure the voltage select
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 5

NWA3D A31 User Manual
switch reads “110V.” If it doesn’t, select “110V” by gently sliding the
switch with a screwdriver or other tool.
b. Connect the heater cables to the power & control box.
The cable for the build plate heater has four pins. The cable for the nozzle
heater has eight pins. Rotate the connector until the pins slide easily into
the socket. Do not force them. After the pins are fully inserted,
hand-tighten the knurled nuts so they won’t become unplugged.
c. Connect the motor and limit switch cables.
The Y cables go to the motor and switch at the back of the base frame that
move the build plate. The Z cables go to the motor and switch on the left
side of the base frame that move the nozzle gantry. The X and E
(extruder) cables go onto the gantry frame. The X cables go to the motor
and switch that runs the belt and the E cable goes to the motor that feeds
the filament. Hint: Install the smaller limit switch connectors first. Small
hands are an advantage. Don’t bend the connectors as you push them in.
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 6

NWA3D A31 User Manual
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 7

NWA3D A31 User Manual
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 8

NWA3D A31 User Manual
d. Connect the power cord to the back of the power & control box and to a
standard 110-volt electrical outlet.
e. Turn the power on using the switch is on the back of the power & control
box.
f. To operate the controls, rotate the button to scroll and push the button to
select.
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 9

NWA3D A31 User Manual
3. Fine Tuning
1. Adjust the tension of the build plate assembly on the Y-axis on the base
frame.
a. Check the tension of the build plate assembly. Hold the build plate
carriage under the build plate and try to wiggle it left and right. If the
build plate assembly wiggles back and forth on the Y-axis frame, it is too
loose.
b. To tighten the build plate assembly, rotate the three eccentric nuts that
connect the three wheels to the right side of the build plate assembly. Use
the open-end wrench to rotate the nuts slightly—a quarter turn is usually
enough—until each of the three wheels is tight against the Y-axis frame
and the carriage no longer rotates.
c. Re-check the tension of the build plate assembly. The assembly and the
belt should move forward and backward without much effort, but there
should have no side-to-side wiggle or play.
2. Adjust the tension of the gantry on the right pillar of the gantry frame.
a. Check the tension of the gantry assembly at the right pillar of the frame.
Hold the gantry and try to wiggle it up and down. If the gantry wobbles on
the right pillar frame, it is too loose.
b. To tighten the gantry, rotate the one eccentric nut that connects the
wheel to the inside of the gantry. Use the open-end wrench to rotate the
nut slightly—a quarter turn is usually enough—until the wheel is snug
against the frame pillar and the gantry no longer wobbles.
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 10

NWA3D A31 User Manual
c. Re-check the tension of the gantry by rotating the leadscrew. The gantry
should move up  and down smoothly, and there should be no wobble,
play, or “chatter” on the right side of the gantry.
3. Adjust the tension of the nozzle assembly on the X-axis on the gantry frame.
a. Check the tension of the nozzle assembly. Hold the mounting bracket
behind the nozzle and try to wiggle it back and forth. If the nozzle
assembly wobbles on the X-axis frame, it is too loose.
b. To tighten the nozzle assembly, rotate the one eccentric nut that connects
the wheel to the bottom of the nozzle assembly. Use the open-end wrench
to rotate the nut slightly—a quarter turn is usually enough—until the
wheel is tight against the X-axis frame and the assembly no longer
wobbles.
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 11

NWA3D A31 User Manual
c. Re-check the tension of the nozzle assembly. The assembly and the belt
should move left and right without much effort, but there should have no
side-to-side wiggle or play.
4. Check the tension of the belt driving the Y-axis (under the build plate). The
belt should be taut, with no slack or slop. If the belt is loose:
a. Loosen the four bolts at the front of the base frame holding the belt
follower pulley to the base frame.
b. Using an Allen wrench as a lever, push the follower pulley away from the
frame to tighten the belt.
c. Holding the belt taut, tighten the four bolts.
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NWA3D A31 User Manual
5. Check the tension of the belt driving the X-axis (on the gantry). The belt
should be taut, with no slack or slop. If the belt is loose:
a. Loosen the two bolts at the right side of the gantry holding the belt
follower pulley to the gantry.
b. Using an Allen wrench as a lever, push the follower pulley to tighten the
belt.
c. Holding the belt taut, tighten the two bolts.
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 13

NWA3D A31 User Manual
4. Leveling the Build Plate
Video Tutorial: How to level the build plate
To 3D print good parts, the build plate needs to be level and at the correct
distance from the nozzle. If it’s too close to the nozzle, the nozzle will dig into the
build surface, or the melted plastic will not be able to come out of the nozzle. If
it’s too far from the nozzle, the part will not stick to the build surface or will
warp.
If you use blue painter’s tape as your print surface, the nozzle needs to be about
0.10mm from the build plate in all locations. This is about the thickness of a
single sheet of copier paper. If you use a LokBuild print surface, the nozzle needs
to be about 0.20–0.25mm from the build plate in all locations. This is about the
thickness of two sheets of copier paper (or one sheet folded in half to double its
thickness).
You want to adjust the height of the build plate so that you can slide the paper
between the nozzle and the build plate with some resistance. You should feel the
paper vibrating and dragging when you move it between the nozzle, but not so
close that the copier paper buckles.
1. Select Setup > Auto home. This will move the nozzle to the home position at
the front left corner of the build plate, where the X, Y, and Z axis are set to
0,0,0.
2. When the motors stop, select Setup > Disable motors. This will allow you to
move the hot end of the extruder assembly (X axis) and build plate (Y axis)
by hand.
Pro Tip: The Z axis motor is also disabled, and you don’t want it
to move at all. So you should handle the printer gently during the
leveling process. Keep it on a flat surface and move the nozzle
assembly carefully.
3. For painter’s tape print surfaces, slide a piece of copier paper between the
nozzle and the build plate. For LokBuild print surfaces, first fold the paper in
half to double its thickness, then slide it between the nozzle and build plate.
4. Move the hot end (X axis) and build plate (Y axis) so that the nozzle is
directly above one of the four adjustment nuts under the bed. Adjust the nut
until the paper slides with just a tiny bit of drag, then move the nozzle and
repeat the process at the other three nut locations.
5. Repeat Steps 1–4 until the amount of tension on the paper is consistent at all
locations, including the center of the build plate.
6. The first layer of the print will show whether the distance between the
nozzle and build plate is correct. Refer to the following graphic for clarity.
© 2018 NWA3D LLC 14

NWA3D A31 User Manual
a. If the bed is too high, the extruded plastic will squeeze out the sides of the
nozzle. The nozzle will plow the plastic and leave a first layer that is too
thin. Or it may be so close that no plastic is extruded at all.
b. If the bed is too low, the extruded plastic may not stick to the build plate.
Even if it does stick to the build plate, parallel lines of filament on the first
layer will look mounded, with gaps in between them.
Pro Tip: You can “Hot Level” your printer by carefully adjusting the nuts
during the first layer of the build while the plate is moving until the distance
between the build plate and the nozzle is producing smooth extruded lines.
Be careful of the moving parts to not get pinched. After you have fine-tuned
the bed level during the first layer, you may want to stop the build, clear the
build plate, and restart the build so it will look better on the bottom.
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NWA3D A31 User Manual
5. Loading and Removing Filament
Video Tutorial: How to remove clogs, load, and change filament
1. Loading filament
a. Load a spool of filament into the spool holder.
b. Cut the end of the filament at an angle so the irregular melted plastic at
the end doesn’t cause a clog. It will also be easier to feed into the extruder
and Bowden tube.
c. Feed the end of the filament into the extruder by hand as you squeeze the
extruder release lever.
d. Push the filament all the way through the Bowden tube until it stops
when it hits the back of the nozzle.
e. Select Setup > Preheat PLA.
f. When the printer is fully heated, you may want to remove all of the
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NWA3D A31 User Manual
filament color left in the printer from previous prints before you start a
new print. To do this, manually push filament through the extruder as you
squeeze the extruder release lever until the new color starts coming out
of the nozzle.
Pro Tip: Never leave the printer preheated with material
inside of it when it is not printing. The filament will bake
inside of the nozzle assembly and create a clog.
2. Removing filament
To remove the filament cleanly, you should do a “soft pull.” This involves
heating the nozzle to 100°C, and then pulling the filament out of the printer.
a. Select Setup > Preheat soft pull and wait until the nozzle to reach the set
temperature.
b. Wait a minute for the temperature to become stable.
c. When the nozzle temperature is a stable 100°C, squeeze the extruder
release lever and pull the filament out of the extruder with a steady, firm
motion.
d. Cut the end of the filament to remove irregular melted plastic at the end.
Pro Tip: Feed the end of the filament roll into the hole
on the side of the spool. This will insure it doesn’t get
tangled and cause a build to fail the next time you use it.
e. Remove the filament from the filament spool holder.
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NWA3D A31 User Manual
6. Operation: The Four Steps of 3D Printing
3D printing involves these four steps:
1. Create a 3D file (Make)
2. Slice the file for 3D printing (Slice)
3. Send the file to the printer (Transfer)
4. Select the file on the printer (Print)
1. Create or find a 3D file
a. You can create a 3D model—a digital geometry—using any CAD
(computer-aided design) software program. We recommend free
programs, such as TinkerCAD and OnShape. Autodesk’s Fusion360 is free
to students. Another is SketchUp, which has free licenses available for
schools. These programs take some time to learn, and can be challenging.
But they are also rewarding, especially when you see your own creation
being printed on your 3D printer!
Every CAD program allows users to save or export digital files for 3D
printing. You want to save your file as an STL file (“filename.stl”). The STL
file is the standard file format for 3D printing. In some programs, it’s as
easy as the Save command. In others, you need to select the File > Export
option, and choose the STL format. OBJ files can also be sliced and 3D
printed.
b. You can find 3D models in many online libraries of digital content.
Thingiverse, GrabCAD, and Instructables are examples, and many other
sites exist.
2. Slice the file for 3D printing
Video Tutorial: How to set up Cura 3.1
Slicing is the process of converting your 3D model into the layered print
language your printer can understand, called G-Code. We recommend using
free, open-source slicer programs. Our favorite slicers are Ultimaker Cura
and Repetier Host. Both are free and easy to use. We’ve included Cura and its
setup profile on your printer’s SD card because it’s easier for beginners. For
beginning users, we recommend that you install Cura on a PC or Mac and use
it to do your slicing.
There are a lot of slicers that will create G-Code automatically for your
printer. All you have to do is input the correct settings for your printer (using
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NWA3D A31 User Manual
the files we included), import your 3D model, and save the G-Code. It’s that
easy!
a. Install Ultimaker Cura on a PC or Mac (both the .exe and .dmg versions
are included on your microSD card).
b. Open the Cura application. When it’s opened for the first time, you’ll see
the “Add Printer” window. Select “Custom > Custom FDM machine.” In the
lower left, type “NWA3D A31” for the printer name,  and then click the
“Add Printer” button on the lower right.
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