As with any new skill, beginners in 3D printing are likely to make some common mistakes. Here are some common mistakes that beginner 3D printers make:
- Incorrect bed leveling: One of the most common mistakes beginners make is not leveling the print bed correctly. An unlevel bed can cause the first layer of a print to fail, leading to warping or even the entire print coming loose from the bed.
- Printing too fast: While it can be tempting to print as fast as possible to save time, printing too fast can cause issues such as layer shifting, under-extrusion, or over-extrusion. It’s important to start with slower print speeds and gradually increase them as you gain experience.
- Using incorrect print settings: Each filament material has its own optimal print settings, such as temperature and print speed. Using incorrect settings can lead to poor print quality, failed prints, or even damage to the printer.
- Not cleaning the build plate: Before starting a new print, it’s important to make sure the build plate is clean and free from any debris. Otherwise, the print may not adhere to the bed properly.
- Ignoring cooling: Cooling is important in 3D printing to help solidify each layer of the print before the next layer is added. Neglecting cooling can lead to issues such as stringing or warping.
- Removing prints too early: It can be tempting to remove prints from the bed as soon as they finish printing, but it’s important to let them cool down and fully solidify before removing them. Otherwise, the print may warp or even break.
- Using poor quality filament: Cheaper or lower quality filaments may be tempting due to their lower cost, but they can lead to poor print quality, clogs in the printer’s nozzle, or even damage to the printer.
These are just a few of the common mistakes that beginner 3D printers make. However, with practice and attention to detail, these mistakes can be avoided and high-quality prints can be achieved.