3D-Printing

To produce gorgeous objects with the 3D printer on the 3rd floor, you need to install a slicer on your desktop or laptop. The recommended slicer is cura.¹⁾

There is no card reader and no wlan on the printer, either. So files are communicated exclusively via cable based network.

Linux:

Cura is probably natively available in the repo of your distro. Alternatively, install the AppImage of the latest release from github.

MS Windows and MacOS:

Download the installer of the latest release from github.

It recommended to install some plugins in cura: Click on 'Marketplace' on the top right of curas main window.

• wait about two minutes for cura to assemble the catalogue of plugins
• select:
  1. 'OctoPrintConnection' - necessary to talk to the printer via network
  2. 'Printjob Naming' - to prefix your job file with your name
  3. plugins to import native 3D model files from your favourite CAD suite:
     • 'Inventor integration'
     • 'Solidworks integration'
     • 'Freecad integration'
     • 'Blender integration'
  4. 'Settings Guide' - provides more verbose pop-up help

Configure the printjob naming plugin to put your name in front of the job name:

• cura → Extensions → Custom_Printjob_Naming → set_name_options
• Prefix: [YourName]
• Enable prefix and postfix: []
• Add '_' between jobname parts: []
• Sanitise jobname parts: []

1. Settings → Printer → Add_Printer…
2. click 'Add a non-networked-printer'
3. scroll down to 'Custom'
4. choose 'Custom FFF printer'
5. change the printer name to something more specific. E.g.: 'Leapfrog'
6. click the button 'Add' on the lower right
7. in the dialogue 'Machine Settings', tab 'Printer':
   1. Print Settings (left column)
      • X (width) = 180.0 mm
      • Y (depth) = 240.0 mm
      • Z (height) = 160.0 mm
      • Build plate Shape = Rectangular
      • Origin at center: [ ]
      • Heated bed: []
      • Heated build volume: [ ]
      • G-code flavor = Marlin
      • - Start G-code: (no change, keep the default)
   2. Printhead Settings
      • X min = -66
      • Y min = -52
      • X max = 66
      • Y max = 90
      • Gantry height = 2.0 mm
      • Number of extruders = 1
      • Apply Extruder offsets to GCode: []
      • End G-code: (no change, keep the default)
8. In tab 'Extruder 1' of the 'Machine Settings':
   • Nozzle size = 0.4 mm
   • Compatible material diameter = 1.75 mm
   • Nozzle offset X = 0.0 mm
   • Nozzle offset y = 0.0 mm
   • Cooling Fan number = 0
   • G-Code: no changes, keep the default.

To revisit this dialogue later, go to: Settings → Printer → Manage_Printers…

1. download: cura-settings_leapfrog_11april2022c.curaprofile
2. Import the profile to cura:
   • settings → printer → manage_printer..
   • choose 'Profiles' in left tab → button 'Import'
   • the imported profile should appear under “Custom profiles”
   • select the imported profile in the list
   • click the button 'activate' to actually use the profile for the next slicing. Alternatively, you can choose the profile from the drop-down menu at the top of the 'Print settings' dialogue.