3D Printing Basics: Parts names, care, and filament types! (Ep4)

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide to 3D printer maintenance and care, covering essential parts like the extruder, hotend, linear motion system, and print bed. It explains the roles of key components, such as the hobbed bolt, extruder gears, nozzle, fans, and belts, and provides clear maintenance tips for each part. The video also addresses various filament types and their applications, from PLA to specialized materials like TPU and Nylon. The presenter highlights best practices, maintenance intervals, and the importance of staying proactive to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your 3D printer.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hobbed bolts and gears in 3D printers are crucial for feeding filament into the hotend, though newer systems often use drive gears or dual-drive setups.
• 😀 Extruder maintenance involves adjusting spring tension to prevent slipping and checking for wear or clogging every 20 spools, especially with aggressive filaments.
• 😀 Hotends are made up of a nozzle, heater block, heatbreak, and heatsink, with fans to regulate temperature. The thermistor and heater cartridge are key components of the hot side.
• 😀 Regular hotend maintenance includes cleaning the fans and removing plastic chunks after prints, ensuring the thermistor is secure, and performing cold pulls to clear debris from the nozzle.
• 😀 Bowden tubes should be checked every 10-20 spools for wear or deformation, and replaced when necessary, especially in high-performance setups.
• 😀 For nozzle care, brass nozzles should be replaced if wear becomes evident, particularly when printing with fiber or metal-filled filaments.
• 😀 The linear motion system relies on rods, bearings, or V-slot wheels for smooth movement. Keeping these free of debris is essential for reliable operation.
• 😀 For V-slot designs, periodic adjustment of wheel tension is necessary to prevent uneven wear and ensure smooth carriage motion.
• 😀 Belt tension should be checked regularly, especially when the printer is new, to ensure proper tension and avoid slippage during printing.
• 😀 For heated beds, regular cleaning with a water-ethanol mix is recommended to maintain adhesion and prevent print failures. A clean and level bed ensures successful prints.

Q & A

What is the purpose of a hobbed bolt in a 3D printer?

A hobbed bolt is a component in the extruder of a 3D printer that engages with the filament and feeds it into the hotend. It is designed to grip the filament securely and push it forward for extrusion. In newer models, the hobbed bolt is often replaced by a hobbed gear or drive gear.

How often should you check the extruder bearing for wear or roughness?

You should check the extruder bearing for wear or roughness after approximately 50 spools of filament. However, if you're facing printing issues, it's a good idea to inspect the extruder gears for clogs or filament shavings.

What is the role of the heatbreak in a hotend?

The heatbreak in a hotend serves to support the heater block while minimizing the heat transfer into the heatsink. Its purpose is to keep the upper part of the heatbreak cool to prevent the filament from becoming too soft before reaching the nozzle.

What should you do if your hotend's fans become dusty?

If your hotend's fans become dusty, you should clean them every two to five spools. Use compressed or canned air to blow out the dust, but be sure to hold the fan blades to prevent them from spinning too fast, which could damage the fan.

What is a cold pull, and when should you perform it?

A cold pull is a maintenance procedure used to clean the inside of the hotend. It involves loading filament (typically Nylon or PETG) into the hotend, letting it cool down, and then attempting to pull it out while the hotend is heated to around 50-100°C. This removes charred debris that could clog the nozzle. It should be done every two to three spools, if necessary.

What maintenance should be done for Bowden tubes?

Bowden tubes should be inspected every 10-20 spools for any visible deformation or toasted spots. If there is any damage, you can usually cut off the affected end to maintain a proper fit. The tube may need to be replaced entirely after a period of use.

What type of nozzle should be used for printing with fiber-filled filaments?

For printing with fiber-filled filaments, it is recommended to use a wear-resistant nozzle instead of a brass one. Fiber-filled materials can wear down a standard brass nozzle quickly.

How often should you lubricate the linear motion system on your 3D printer?

The linear motion system, including rods and bearings, should be lubricated with a drop of medium-viscosity oil after each spool of filament. Alternatively, you can grease the bearings every 20 spools for more thorough maintenance.

How can you determine if your printer’s belts are at the correct tension?

You can check the tension of your printer’s belts by plucking them like a guitar string. The belt should produce a low-frequency sound, similar to a bass guitar. If it produces a higher pitch, the belt is too loose or too tight and should be adjusted.

How do you properly maintain the print bed for good adhesion?

To maintain good adhesion, regularly clean the print bed using a 50/50 mix of water and ethanol to remove dust, grease, and other contaminants. A quick wipedown every 5 prints should suffice. Additionally, ensure that the bed surface is level to ensure proper first-layer adhesion.