Getting started with Cura
This is your tutorial on how to print here at the makerspace.. BE SURE TO PAY ATTENTION!
Cura is a powerful slicer we use at the makerspace, so lets get started.
IF using your own device, follow this short paragraph below, if not skip it First, download cura:
https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura
For some of our printers, like the Creality Ender 3, profiles are quite simple to obtain while for some other machines, you will have to follow a tutorial in order to be able to get printing.
Preparing Cura on your device
Adjusting your print settings can be quite a daunting task, and always feel free to ask makerspace staff with help on how to get the right settings, but here’s a general overview to get you going.
First, select the profile settings box under marketplace and signin at the top right, and click custom at the bottom right of it, select the profiles drop down and make sure you have a CUSTOM PROFILE selected, any profile imported will be in that section.
Under Print settings and Profiles you’ll see an icon with 3 lines, click that dropdown and select “Expert” this will ensure you have all settings available for modification.
Each dropdown contains settings to adjust for each specific category. For example, to adjust infill percentage you would dropdown infill and change percentage and/or pattern.
If you have any questions about navigating settings, let Makerspace staff know so we can help.
Adjusting settings for your prints
Quality
Only thing to modify here is layer height. The Z-axis motors operate in steps of .04mm, so best layer heights are multiples or half steps of that. 0.2 is most common and is usually good for most things. For large parts, use .28 or .3, and for very small or detailed parts .12 is best. Remember, going small only makes the print take longer and can actually reduce strength.
Infill
Stick to modifying Infill Density, Grid pattern usually has the most efficient time-strength ratio. For most parts, 15-20% is more than enough infill. For parts that really experience no strain like a figure, stick to 15%, if your part experiences moderate strain, 20% should be good. If you think you might need more than 20%, run it by Makerspace Staff.
Material
Each filament has its own range of temperatures to print at. There are profiles that are setup for specific filaments, listed below are the temp ranges they should be at for reference.
- HD:
HD consists of PLA filament Nozzle
PLA 200-210C. Pro PLA 220-230C Bed All PLA 60C - PETG:
Nozzle PETG 240-250C Bed PETG 80-90C
Supports
Here comes perhaps the most important part of 3D printing. Supports can make or break your print. Our profiles are fined tuned for easy to remove supports that both support the part and allow for efficient removal.
Interface
Most of the time, you’ll only be chosing whether or not you want interface on or off. Interface allows for very smooth surfaces, but can be hard to remove with very complex and hidden overhangs. if you have simple 90 degree or very agressive and accessible overhangs, support interface allow for even better and cleaner surfaces. To enable or disable support interface, simply search interface and go to the supports dropdown to enable or disable them (interface will only appear if supports are enabled.)
Support Density
The best support density is usually 18%. This is a great balance between quality and efficient removal. For really large parts, 15% with interface might be easier to remove and will print really well if the overhangs are simple. If parts are really tiny, 20% supports can help slightly, but will be harder to remove.
Build Plate Adhesion
Skirt is great for most parts, if you have very complex bases, brim should be more than enough. Raft is never needed if the printer is working correctly.
All Other Dropdowns
These can be ignored, unless otherwise told to be modified by Makerspace Staff.
Creality Ender 3 Pro
CURA SETUP ON PERSONAL DEVICE
Feel free to let staff know if you need help with setup
When downloading cura and in setup for the first time, select printer type as Non-Networked printer > Creality > Creality Ender 3 Pro. If cura is already downloaded, go to Preferences > Configure Cura > Printers > Add > Add a Non-Networked printer > Creality > Creality Ender 3 Pro
Please Note: While cura profiles for the Ender 3 are fine, we have our own files that are made to be imported into cura.
- At the top of the github, select code and then download zip, open the zip folder, go into the Ender 3 Pro folder, and move the profile(s) into your downloads folder.
- Open Cura, Go to Preferences > Configure Cura > Profiles > Import Then select the profile you’d like to import. Do the same for any other profiles for the Ender 3 Pro.
- Import your 3D file into Cura by clicking the folder icon in the top left, and now we’ll get into tweaking.
- Now you’re all set, go back up to the cura section by scrolling or clicking here and read on how to adjust your print settings.
Creality CR-6 Max
CURA SETUP ON PERSONAL DEVICE
Feel free to let staff know if you need help with setup
When downloading cura and in setup for the first time, select printer type as Non-Networked printer > Creality > Creality CR-6 SE. If cura is already downloaded, go to Preferences > Configure Cura > Printers > Add > Add a Non-Networked printer > Creality > Creality Cr-6 SE THEN follow the next instructions to adjust for the Creality CR-6 Max
1) Under Printer settings, change the X, Y and Z depth to 400mm, then under start-gcode, look for the G28 command.
2) Right under the G28 command, copy and paste this:
M420 S1; Retrieve Bed level
G29 O; Verify Bed level retrieved
3) Click “Close”.
Please Note: You must import our Creality CR-6 Max Profile(s) in Cura in order to print.
1) At the top of the github, select code and then download zip, open the zip folder, go into the Creality CR-6 Max folder, and move the profile(s) into your downloads folder.
2) Open Cura, Go to Preferences > Configure Cura > Profiles > Import Then select the profile you’d like to import. Do the same for any other profiles for the Creality CR-6 Pro.
3) Import your 3D file into Cura by clicking the folder icon in the top left, and now we’ll get into tweaking.
4) Now you’re all set, go back up to the cura section by scrolling or clicking here and read on how to adjust your print settings.
FLSUN SR
CURA SETUP ON PERSONAL DEVICE
Feel free to let staff know if you need help with setup
When downloading cura and in setup for the first time, select printer type as Non-Networked printer > Flsun > Flsun Super Racer. If cura is already downloaded, go to Preferences > Configure Cura > Printers > Add > Add a Non-Networked printer > FlSun > Flsun Super Racer
Please Note: While cura profiles for the FLSUN SR are fine, we have our own files that are made to be imported into cura.
- At the top of the github, select code and then download zip, open the zip folder, go into the FLSUN SR folder, and move the profile(s) into your downloads folder.
- Open Cura, Go to Preferences > Configure Cura > Profiles > Import Then select the profile you’d like to import. Do the same for any other profiles for the FLSUN SR.
- Import your 3D file into Cura by clicking the folder icon in the top left, and now we’ll get into tweaking.
- Now you’re all set, go back up to the cura section by scrolling or clicking here and read on how to adjust your print settings.