3D printers

[Luke]

Make sure it's a windows machine, not a chromebook.

Slicing isn't too bad, as you can leave it to run. If you want to specifically do more with 3D design, rather than just downloading from thingiverse, you will appreciate an i5 with more RAM, or better. That said, an i3 with 8GB is probably going to be fine to get you started. I'm still doing my CAD work on a 10 year old XP machine....

I've had to put Cura on a Win10 laptop as XP isn't supported (don't blame them...).

 

[Jlg]

Make sure it's a windows machine, not a chromebook.

Slicing isn't too bad, as you can leave it to run. If you want to specifically do more with 3D design, rather than just downloading from thingiverse, you will appreciate an i5 with more RAM, or better. That said, an i3 with 8GB is probably going to be fine to get you started. I'm still doing my CAD work on a 10 year old XP machine....

I've had to put Cura on a Win10 laptop as XP isn't supported (don't blame them...).

Il try get the i5 it's only 100 more

 

[Maker]

Does it have to be a laptop? Desktops tend to be cheaper for the spec.

As Luke said, don't get a Chromebook, I don't know of any CAD software or slicer for Chrome OS.

 

[Jlg]

Does it have to be a laptop? Desktops tend to be cheaper for the spec.

As Luke said, don't get a Chromebook, I don't know of any CAD software or slicer for Chrome OS.

I’ve just bought a acer aspire 3

 

[Jlg]

Can anyone recommend something simple and free to design parts with

 

[Maker]

Fusion 360 is free for hobby use I believe.

 

[ronan]

Fusion 360 is free for hobby use I believe.

It is yes. Very good it is too.

 

[tflnemesis]

I use fusion 360, had it on my pc for months before I followed a recommendation on here to watch Lars Christensen tutorial videos which helped immensely.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo29kn3d9ziFUZGZ50VKvWA

 

[Jlg]

I'm putting the printer in a acrilic enclosure that. I will be making and I'm putting some fans in to draw fresh air in and keep it cool so my question is would you have the fans on constant at a low speed or on a controller to come on when the temperature reaches a set level and go of once it's gone back down

 

[tflnemesis]

Too much cooling is a bad idea. I have just enclosed mine so I can use ABS on it. It still struggles to get up to 100c bed temp.
Too much cooling will also give you warping issues especially if you decide you want to use anything other than PLA.

My enclosure is made out of 18mm ply with an acrylic window on the front, the only venting I have is a 120mm PC fan exhausting the fumes through a tumble dryer conduit.
I did have some holes in the back to draw in air but the cooler air in the room was preventing the bed maintain the 100c temp I wanted.
Before I put it in there I have double checked all the wiring especially the bed and hot end thermistors, I have yet to order some spare thermistors but I pretty much have all the spare parts i might need to keep me running should something break.

 

[Jlg]

Too much cooling is a bad idea. I have just enclosed mine so I can use ABS on it. It still struggles to get up to 100c bed temp.
Too much cooling will also give you warping issues especially if you decide you want to use anything other than PLA.

My enclosure is made out of 18mm ply with an acrylic window on the front, the only venting I have is a 120mm PC fan exhausting the fumes through a tumble dryer conduit.
I did have some holes in the back to draw in air but the cooler air in the room was preventing the bed maintain the 100c temp I wanted.
Before I put it in there I have double checked all the wiring especially the bed and hot end thermistors, I have yet to order some spare thermistors but I pretty much have all the spare parts i might need to keep me running should something break.

I was going to put two 80mm fans one drawing air and one removing air as on a sunny day the room the printer is in can easily reach 30 degrees so would running the fans slow be better or putting them on a temp controller be better

 

[tflnemesis]

I would have the fans set so they just move the air a bit, 3d printing is all about trying to maintain a stable temperature around the printer. If you are planning on using ABS or some other filament that is prone to warping you will want to keep the printer around 40-50c, mine is now running about 45c in the enclosure just from the 100c of the hotbed, the ABS is printing well so I am not going to muck about with it, the 120mm fan seems to be just powerful enough to vent the fumes but thats about it.
40-50c isn't totally necessary but keeping a stable temp is because a fluctuating temp can cause all sorts of issues.

 

[Jlg]

I would have the fans set so they just move the air a bit, 3d printing is all about trying to maintain a stable temperature around the printer. If you are planning on using ABS or some other filament that is prone to warping you will want to keep the printer around 40-50c, mine is now running about 45c in the enclosure just from the 100c of the hotbed, the ABS is printing well so I am not going to muck about with it, the 120mm fan seems to be just powerful enough to vent the fumes but thats about it.
40-50c isn't totally necessary but keeping a stable temp is because a fluctuating temp can cause all sorts of issues.

I guess my question would be then should I just have them running at a slower speed to provide ventilation or should I put them on a temp controller

 

[AndersK]

I run mine fully enclosed, 4mm acrylic, without vent except what leaks out.
Bed temp always 60-80°C.

Just have a fan to circulate internally thru a HEPA filter.

Have replaced ABS in favour of PETG, so much easier to print and less toxic.

 

[Luke]

I've skipped ABS and gone straight for PETG. The stringing is annoying but it prints at lower temps and doesn't smell much at all. My printer is in the house so that's a big bonus.

 

[AndersK]

@Luke Did you increase retraction? Helps a lot with the stringing. I set it to 6,5 mm and it's almost gone.

 

[Luke]

I've upped retraction to 6, 8 and 10 mm and also turned z hop on and off and it's not made a load of difference. I'm wondering if increasing or decreasing the temperature might help.

 

[Jlg]

Fusion 360 is free for hobby use I believe.

Can you find me a link to where it’s free as I can only find a 30day free trial and then it’s 488 a year after

 

[carbon]

Still the same download I think, it’s what you enter when starting the software. Student / hobby use or what ever the options are. Not at my pc now unfortunately.

 

[carbon]

But here is a page that takes you through the registration process

https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/fusion-360-for-hobbyists​