Beginner’s Guide to 3D Printing and Recommended Accessories (2024)

2024-11-21 | By ShawnHymel

3D Printing 3D Print Accessories 3D Printer

3D printing has revolutionized how we create physical objects, offering endless possibilities for hobbyists, tinkerers, and businesses. Once a high-end luxury reserved for large corporations, desktop 3D printers are now affordable, with some models available for just a few hundred dollars.

Getting started with 3D printing involves more than just purchasing a machine–you'll need to familiarize yourself with the different types of printers and essential accessories. This 2-part series walks you through setting up your own 3D printer, recommended accessories, and how to configure your slicer to produce physical parts from digital designs.

Note that the videos showcase a LulzBot SideKick 747, but the tips should apply to just about any Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printer.

The concept of 3D printing can be traced back to science fiction, with the earliest mention found in the 1945 short story "Things Pass By" by Murray Leinster, where a machine creates objects layer by layer. However, it wasn't until the 1970s and 1980s that early prototypes emerged.

Initially, 3D printers were expensive, large machines, but in 2004, Adrian Bowyer's open-source RepRap 3D printer helped democratize the technology, allowing users to build their own machines. This, along with other open-source designs like the Fab@Home printer, fueled the consumer 3D printing market and the maker movement. Today, advancements in FDM technology have made 3D printing more affordable and accessible, enabling hobbyists and professionals to create a wide range of objects with ease.

Types of 3D Printers

Not all 3D printers are created equal. Various models use different printing techniques, each with unique benefits and challenges. Let's explore the most common types of 3D printers available today:

1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Printers

FDM printers are by far the most popular and widely used type of 3D printer among consumers. These machines work by melting plastic filament and extruding it through a nozzle, which moves on the X, Y, and Z axes to build up layers of material. FDM printers can print with various materials such as PLA (polylactic acid), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), and even flexible filaments like TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).

FDM printers are known for being relatively easy to use and versatile. However, they often produce visible layer lines on the final print. With a bit of post-processing—such as sanding, filling gaps, or using acetone vapor baths for certain materials—you can achieve smoother finishes.

Types of FDM Printers

FDM printers come in several configurations:

Core XY: In these printers, the bed remains stationary while the print head moves on the X, Y, and Z axes. This setup allows for faster printing and higher accuracy, especially with taller models, making them ideal for advanced users.

Bed-Slinger: These printers move the bed along the Y-axis while the print head moves along the X and Z axes. Bed-slingers are easy to maintain and manufacture, making them a common choice for budget-conscious consumers. However, their movement can affect print quality at higher speeds.

Delta: These printers use three arms attached to a central print head, allowing for fast, tall prints. Delta printers are less common but are capable of printing complex objects with precision.

2. Stereolithography (SLA) Printers

SLA printers use a different approach than FDM printers. Instead of extruding melted filament, SLA printers cure liquid resin using a UV laser or projector, building the object layer by layer. The result is incredibly high-resolution prints with almost invisible layer lines.

While SLA printers can achieve fine details, they have some downsides. Resin prints are often brittle and susceptible to UV degradation, making them less durable than FDM prints. Additionally, the post-processing required for SLA prints, such as washing and curing, can be messy and time-consuming.

3. Other Printing Methods

Beyond FDM and SLA, there are other types of 3D printing used mostly in industrial and professional prototyping settings:

Direct Drive vs. Bowden Extruder

When it comes to FDM 3D printers, one key difference you'll encounter is the type of extruder setup: direct drive or Bowden. Both setups control how the filament is fed into the hot end, but they have distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on your printing needs.

Direct Drive Extruder: In a direct drive setup, the extruder motor and drive mechanism are mounted directly on the print head. This setup pushes the filament directly into the hot end with minimal distance between the extruder and nozzle. One of the key advantages of this design is the improved control over flexible filaments like TPU, making it ideal for printing softer materials. The direct proximity of the extruder also means there's less opportunity for the filament to snag or tangle, which can result in more consistent extrusion. However, because the motor is mounted on the print head, it adds extra weight to the moving parts, potentially limiting the printer’s speed and causing wear on the components over time.
Bowden Extruder: In a Bowden setup, the extruder motor is mounted on the printer's frame, and the filament is fed to the hot end through a long, flexible PTFE (Teflon) tube, known as a Bowden tube. This design reduces the weight of the print head, allowing it to move faster and more accurately. This results in quicker print speeds and less wear on the machine's moving parts. However, the distance between the extruder and the nozzle in a Bowden setup can lead to issues with flexible filaments, as they tend to compress and bend inside the tube, leading to inconsistent extrusion. Additionally, Bowden extruders can suffer from filament "oozing" or stringing during prints, requiring more precise retraction settings.

Essential 3D Printing Accessories

While many 3D printers come with a basic accessory kit, you'll quickly discover that having the right tools on hand can make the process much easier. Here’s a breakdown of some must-have accessories and why you’ll need them.

Metal Scraper: A metal scraper is essential for removing finished prints from the print bed. Many prints adhere tightly to the surface, making it difficult to remove them by hand. A thin, sharp-edged scraper helps you safely lift the print without damaging the bed.
Wire Cutters: Wire cutters are ideal for snipping off excess filament or trimming support material after printing.
Tweezers: Tweezers are great for removing small strings of filament that may ooze out during the printing process but be cautious not to touch the hot nozzle with your hands.
Bed Cleaning Supplies: A clean print bed is crucial for proper first-layer adhesion. Rubbing alcohol and lint-free wipes will help you clean the bed between prints, removing dust, oil, and residue. Many users also recommend applying a thin layer of glue stick or blue painter’s tape to improve adhesion.
Brass Brush: A brass brush is perfect for cleaning the nozzle of your 3D printer while it’s hot. Keep in mind that the nozzle has live wires attached, so you should use the brush carefully to avoid shorting anything out.
Deburring Tool: Deburring tools are designed to remove sharp edges and imperfections from your print, especially on models with many overhangs or intricate details.
Hand files and sandpaper: Sanding tools can help with smoothing out surfaces and fitting parts together.
Calipers: Digital calipers are a handy tool for ensuring that your prints match the exact dimensions you designed in your modeling software. Calipers also help measure tolerance when designing parts that need to fit together precisely.
Filament Storage Solutions: Filament tends to absorb moisture from the air, which can cause issues during printing, such as gaps in the layers. To keep your filament dry, store it in a sealed container with desiccant packs. A 5-gallon bucket with a screw-on lid works perfectly for this purpose, and rechargeable desiccant packs are inexpensive and effective.
Filament Dehydrators: For particularly moisture-sensitive filaments like PETG or nylon, a filament dehydrator or modified food dehydrator can help remove any absorbed moisture. Some users also run a filament tube from the dehydrator directly to the printer to ensure that the filament stays dry while printing.
Printer Enclosure: An enclosure for your 3D printer helps maintain a consistent ambient temperature, protecting prints from drafts or cooling too quickly, which is especially important when printing with materials like ABS or nylon. Enclosures can also help contain fumes from materials that emit harmful chemicals during printing. While PLA doesn’t require an enclosure, ABS, polycarbonate, and other advanced filaments often do.
Ventilation and Filtration: 3D printing, particularly with materials like ABS, can release harmful fumes. For safety, consider adding a ventilation system to your setup, such as a fan that vents to the outside. Alternatively, use an enclosure with activated carbon filters to help remove toxic particles from the air.

Maintenance Tips

While modern 3D printers are much more reliable than earlier models, they still require periodic maintenance. Here are a few tips to keep your printer running smoothly:

Tighten belts and screws: Loose belts or screws can cause misaligned prints and poor print quality. Check these regularly and tighten as needed.
Clean the nozzle: Over time, nozzles can get clogged with filament residue. Regularly clean them with a soft brass brush while they’re hot to prevent buildup.
Replace worn parts: Components such as the nozzle, hot end, or belts may wear out over time. Keeping spare parts on hand will save you from downtime when repairs are needed.

Refer to your printer’s instruction manual to learn more about the maintenance requirements and ways to repair parts should something break.

Conclusion

3D printing is a powerful tool for professionals and can be a rewarding hobby. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your setup, understanding the different types of 3D printers, and investing in essential accessories will ensure that you get the most out of your printer. Remember, 3D printing often requires some trial and error, so don’t get discouraged if your first few prints don’t come out perfectly. With time, patience, and the right tools, you’ll be creating amazing objects in no time.

In the next part of this series, we’ll dive into how to set up your 3D printer, slice models, and start printing your first project!