3D Printer Basics and Troubleshooting: FDM Printers

This Instructable is to help with understanding the basics of 3D Printing and how to troubleshoot the most common problems with FDM 3D printers. These images were taken from a slideshow that I created to help people with 3D printing.

What is a 3D Printer?

• A robot that can make 3D objects from electronic data, also called Additive Manufacturing

• Popular Types of 3D printers

–Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

• Extrudes molten plastic layer by layer

–Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

• Laser melts plastic powder layer by layer

–Stereolithography

• UV light hardens liquid layer by layer

Why FDM printing?

• FDM 3D printing is popular because it is the lowest cost method for creating prototypes and refining designs at home

• FDM – Thicker parts, rougher surface finish

• Lowest Cost, fast prints

• Large parts can warp without a heated bed

• Support structures required

• Usually within 11” X 6” X 6”

• Usually weaker PLA material is used

• Walls thinner than .060” can get messy