Complete beginner’s guide to 3D printing

by

If you’ve just got your first 3D printer, this video is for you. If someone you know is confused by why the STL on the card won’t print, or has no idea how to level the bed, please send them here.

This guide takes you through step by step everything you need to get going and start printing. Please explore the rest of my channel for a lot of content on how to get the best out of your 3D printer.

This Ender 3 purchased with my own money from the Australian warehouse of the Creality official store. It was missing the LCD knob, has a warped bed, but prints well. Pretty typical. It does have working thermal runaway protection, which is fantastic! It also has a V1.1.4 board with A4988 stepper motor drivers.

How 3D Printing Responded to COVID-19

If you are unsure what to look for when buying your first 3D printer, one of my patrons made this excellent video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPWpCLDFrzc

Contents:
00:56 Unboxing
01:21 Assembly
03:22 Tour of 3D printer components
08:22 LCD functions
10:54 Software – Where to get 3d files to print
12:15 Software – Installing and setting up the free slicer Cura
15:09 How to level the bed
20:53 Calibration cube
21:31 Brief explanation of gcode
22:44 Where to next?

Cura slicer: https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura
Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/
MyMiniFactory: https://www.myminifactory.com/
TinkerCAD: https://www.tinkercad.com/
My TinkerCAD guide to designing your first parts: https://youtu.be/QdvSzXByi_g
CHEP YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/beginnerelectronics
CHEP Cura profile video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUpKUHUeteY
A nice place to start on modding: https://youtu.be/YYYDlxJ0O1E

X bed levelling STL: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4077747
XYZ calibration cube: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:214260
3Dbenchy: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:763622
3Dbenchy make by DFPROXY: https://www.thingiverse.com/make:742544

HP and the Pandemic Manufacturing Shift

Purchase the Ender 3:
Ender 3 Pro official Creality store: https://www.creality3dofficial.com/products/creality-ender-3-pro-3d-printer?sca_ref=16987.xbmLCEL46n
Ender 3 official Creality store: https://www.creality3dofficial.com/products/official-creality-ender-3-3d-printer?sca_ref=16987.xbmLCEL46n
Ender 3 Pro Banggood: http://bit.ly/2OUcEyS
Ender 3 Banggood: http://bit.ly/2Efoi6B
Ender 3 Pro Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DpkbEs
Ender 3 Amazon: https://amzn.to/2xyJ23s
Ender 3X (glass bed version): https://amzn.to/2I7dG85

Buy quality and affordable filament from X3D. Buy 3, get 1 free and a free sample pack with every order: www.x3d.com.au

Take a look around and if you like what you see, please subscribe.

Support me on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/teachingtech

Frequently Asked Questions

How did 3D printing help during COVID-19?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 3D printing enabled rapid production of critical medical supplies including face shields, ventilator components, nasal swabs, and PPE. Distributed manufacturing allowed makers worldwide to produce items locally without waiting for traditional supply chains.

What was the pandemic digital manufacturing shift?

The pandemic accelerated adoption of digital manufacturing including 3D printing, as companies sought more resilient supply chains. Organizations shifted from centralized to distributed production, using digital files to produce parts locally on demand.

Can 3D printing supply chains be resilient in emergencies?

Yes, 3D printing provides supply chain resilience through distributed manufacturing — designs can be shared digitally and produced anywhere with compatible equipment, eliminating the need for physical inventory and shipping of parts.

Leave a Comment