1. PRINTER TUTORIALS
ICS LAB

2. Welcome to the Innovation and Collaboration Studios
This is a guide for the Make Gear M2 and Lulzbot machines
Maker Gear M2 machines: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad
Lulzbot Mini machines: TL, TR, BL, BR, Window
Lulzbot Taz machines: Taz1, Taz2

3. Autodesk Inventor *.ipt to *.stl
Top left “I” button
Save as arrow
Save Copy As
Save as type
Select *.stl
BEFORE SAVING: Click Options… and make sure Units is set to “millimeter” (this will convert any CAD units into millimeters for the printing software to read).
Save the file

4. 1. Autodesk Inventor *.ipt to *.stl

5. 2. Autodesk Inventor *.ipt to *.stl

6. 3. Autodesk Inventor *.ipt to *.stl

7. SolidWorks *.sldprt to *.stl
Top left arrow by SolidWorks logo
Save As…
Save as type
STL (*.stl)
BEFORE SAVING: Click Options… and make sure Unit: is set to “millimeters” (this will convert any CAD units into millimeters for the printing software to read)
Save file

8. 1. SolidWorks *.sldprt to *.stl

9. 2. SolidWorks *.sldprt to *.stl

10. 3. SolidWorks *.sldprt to *.stl

11. Repetier Host
1. Open Repetier Host Program 2. Add *.stl file to Dropbox (netID) 3. Connect to Machine 4. Load *.stl file on platform 5. Slic3r, slice model 6. Review predicted model 7. Print 8. Log in on Excel Online

12. 2. Dropbox
Before printing backup your *.stl file in Dropbox on a lab computer
Put file on USB drive or send an to yourself containing the *.stl file
Open file explorer>Dropbox>Student Upload>
Right click and create a folder named your student netID
Move the *.stl to your netID folder

13. 3. Connect to machine
In the top left corner hit the drop down arrow on the “connect” button and select the printer to be used.
If Red plug: not connected
If Green plug: connected

14. 4. Load *.stl on platform
Use the adjacent “Load” button to upload your *.stl file onto the platform.
Orient the model so that the flattest or most stable side is against the platform using the toolbar buttons on the right side panel of the screen.
Object Placement buttons include: copy, center, scale, rotate, cut, and mirror
Click the “Slicer” tab to continue

15. 5. Slic3r
Check for the following: Slicer: Slic3r Printer settings: PLA Standard Settings Printer Settings: PLA Standard Settings
Change Printer Settings if needed to:
Supports for bridging overhangs
brim to increase build surface area
rafts are combinations of supports and brims keeping the build elevated off the platform
Extruder 1: Maker Filament uncheck Override Slic3r Settings
Click the “Slice with Slic3r” button to continue.

16. 6. Preview
After Slicing the program will automatically move to the preview tab.
The model should show exactly what is expected to be outputted by the machine including all supports, brims, and rafts. On the right there should be an estimated time and filament length to be used.
If everything looks okay press the “Print” button
***Students need to log their print information in the 3D Printing Log Excel sheet before leaving the lab.***

17. 7. Print
After clicking print the program will automatically take you to the “manual control” tab.
The machine will take some time to heat up before printing. The temperature values should increase for the “Bed temperature” and for “Extruder 1” until they reach 60 C and 220 C, respectively. If no value is listed then the machine was not connected correctly.
If you notice the model being printed incorrectly either click the “Kill Print” button or find a staff member for help.

18. 8. Log print in Excel Online
Log your print in our records before you leave.
Open google Chrome window and select ‘Edit 3d Print Log’ bookmark
On an open line file out the following
Name
NetId
Filename
Filament Brand
Color
Length (IN METERS)
Printer
A short description (include class if possible)
Check with ICS staff to ensure accuracy

19. Cura 1. Open Cura Program 2. Add *.stl file to Dropbox (netID)
3. Connect to Machine
4. Load *.stl file on platform
5. Material
6. Preview Model
7. Print
8. Log in on Excel

20. 2. Dropbox
Before printing backup your *.stl file in Dropbox on a lab computer
Put file on USB drive or send an to yourself containing the *.stl file
Open file explorer>Dropbox>Student Upload>
Right click and create a folder named your student netID
Move the *.stl to your netID folder

21. 3. Connect
Click “Machine” on top toolbar and select the machine to be used

22. 4. Load
Click the “LOAD MODEL” button and select your *.stl file to open
Clicking on the model brings up a menu in the bottom left to rotate, scale, and mirror the model.
Clicking and dragging will reposition the model
Use these tools to orient the model to the flattest or most stable position on the platform

23. 5. Material Under Material ease of use: select “Intermediate”
Under material: select “ABS (Village Plastics)
More options include:
Standard - recommended settings
High speed - fast print with losses in quality
High detail – better quality at cost of time
supports – bridge overhangs that would otherwise fail
brim – increase surface area on platform to prevent lifting off platform

24. 6. Preview Under the “VIEW MODEL” button select the “LAYERS” button.
The model itself is in red
All other structures (brim, supports, etc) are shown in blue.
The time and length of material used will be listed under the “CONTROL” button.
If the model looks right click the “CONTROL” button.
***Students need to log their print information in the 3D Printing Log excel sheet before leaving the lab.***

25. 7. Print
Click the “Print” button on the new window to start the print.
The machine will take some time to heat up before printing. The temperature values should increase for the “TEMPERATURE” and for “BED TEMP” until they reach 240 C and 110 C, respectively.
If you notice the model being printed incorrectly either click the “Cancel” button or find a staff member for help.

26. 8. Log print in Excel Online
Log your print in our records before you leave.
Open google Chrome window and select ‘Edit 3d Print Log’ bookmark
On an open line file out the following
Name
NetId
Filename
Filament Brand
Color
Length (IN METERS)
Printer
A short description (include class if possible)
Check with ICS staff to ensure accuracy