Prusa MK3 Instructions
Open a New Project
Open the Bambu Studio software. It is the green square sitting on the desktop. If a popup asks to update the program then press “Skip this version” located in the bottom right of the popup window. Click the “Create new project” button located in the upper right corner.
Add Your File
Drag and drop the file you would like to print onto the onscreen print bed. Press the auto orient button to put the object in the best position for printing. It looks like a square with an arrow coming out the side and says “auto” next to it. It is on the top toolbar third from the left.
Put a copy of your STL file in the folder labeled “ThawSpace” in the files on the computer. It will be on the left side of the screen under the “This PC” dropdown. This is optional but helps a lab consultant troubleshoot if something goes wrong during the print. Take a 3D print form from the stack next to the computer and put the name of the file in the field named “Computer file (STL)”.
Adjust Settings
Use the dropdown menus to make sure the highlighted settings match the image below
If the software gives you a popup labeled “Use Modified Value of Process Preset” then select “Use Modified Value” in the bottom right corner.
Prepare the File
Press the “Slice plate” button found in the upper right corner. Ask the consultant at the desk to check your sliced file and fill out the cost portion of the 3D print form.
Export the File
There is an SD card on the left side of the screen of the Prusa 3D printer. Pull out the SD card and plug it into the computer using the adapter plugged into one of the slicing computers. Click the dropdown arrow attached to the “Print” button in the upper right portion of the screen. From that menu select “Export G-code file”. Name the file something descriptive. Write the same name on the “Printer File” portion of the paperwork. Select the SD card from the list on the left and press the “Save” button in the lower right of the screen.
Start Your Print
Remove the SD card and insert it back into the Prusa 3D printer. The metal rectangles on the SD card will be inserted facing you. Once the files have loaded check that your file is highlighted. If it isn’t scroll to it by rotating the knob to the right of the screen. Select the print by pressing the knob and let the printer take care of the rest. Place your 3D print form in front of the printer. If you have any concerns about your print ask the lab consultant.
Prusa
Prepare the File
Go to the drop-down in the top left corner and make sure the printer selected is "Prusa MK3S." Press the "Slice plate" button, found in the upper right corner.
If you have already changed the print settings, the slicer will display a popup asking if you want to use the modified values. Select "Used Modified Value", highlighted in green.
Press the "Slice plate" button.
Fill out the top section of the paperwork located next to the computers, as well as the weight and total print time. Both values can be found at the bottom of the shaded region in the top right corner after slicing.
Export the File
There is an SD card in the left side of the screen on the Prusa 30 printer. Pull it out and plug it into the computer using the SD to USB adapter.
Click the drop-down arrow attached to the "Print" button in the upper right portion of the screen.
From that menu, select "Export G-code file".
Name the file something descriptive. Write the same name on the "Printer File Name" portion of the paperwork.
Select the SD card from the list on the left and press the "Save" button on the lower right portion of the window.
Starting a print
Remove the SD card and insert it back into the Prusa 30 printer. The metal rectangles on the SD card will be insert ed facing you.
Once the files have loaded, check that your file is highlighted. If it isn't, then scroll to it using the knob to the right of the screen.
Select the print by pressing the knob and let the printer take care of the rest.
Basic troubleshooting
If a print has failed, it is okay to try and rerun it, as sometimes prints just need a second chance.
If that doesn't work, check the bottom of the print. If it was warped or peeled up from the bed it could be an issue with the print not sticking to the bed. Try to re-slice the file on a different part of the bed or in a different orientation. If the bed has a lot of glue on it, use isopropyl alcohol and a cloth to clean some of it off.
If filament is extruding improperly, check that the filament loaded in the printer matches the filament used on the sliced file.
Bottom layers can often look bubbled and deformed but will be covered later in the print. If a print has gotten past the first several layers and still appears deformed, it could be an issue in how the file was sliced. One common problem is with the supports. One way to troubleshoot the problem is to re-slice the file in a different orientation and reprint the file, making sure the filament type matches the print form.
If a print continues to fail, then it could be an issue with the file itself and the client should be contacted about how to move forward.
If you are not sure how a print is supposed to look, you can put the failing print file back into the slicer and compare it to the STL(s) from the thawspace folder.