3D Printer Hardware

* Some print beds are heated, others aren't
* Heat increases adhesion of the first layer to the build plate
* Almost always 60 C, if using ABS or exotic material check the data provided by the manufacturer of that filament

**Material**

* Always check the manufacturer's information on your filament type, it may specify to use a particular bed material

* **Glass**
	+ Common and quite effective (especially if heated)
	+ If having trouble sticking to glass, try a thin layer of glue (the purple disappearing glue works well) or painters tape
		- Rinse plate with warm water after the print to remove the glue
* **Flexible**
	+ Mostly used in large print production environments since they can be removed and replaced quickly
	+ Does not scratch like glass, heats up faster

**Bed Leveling**

* One of the most common failures is because of print leveling
* Some printers (Ultimaker 3) have automatic leveling but may occasionally require a manual one
* Must be consistently level everywhere
* If it is too far from the nozzle, spaghetti like filament will not "smush" onto the plate
* If it is too close to the nozzle, there will be too much pressure and not enough filament will extrude

Too far from nozzleToo close to nozzleLevel build plate first layer
### Extruder

**Direct Drive vs Bowden**

* **Direct Drive**
	+ The hot end (extruder) and the driver wheel that pushes the filament are all contained in one place on the print head (MakerBot Replicator)
	+ Does not require a tube (less friction and fewer failures), but the print head has to be larger so the build volume is typically reduced
* **Bowden**
	+ The driver wheel that pushes filament is separate from the print head and hot end and must be connected with a "Bowden tube" (Ultimaker 2+)
	+ The tube may have friction and must be cleaned. The tube must be flush with the end of the hot end

**Nozzle**

* The tip that heats up and the plastic actually extrudes from. Must be seated well and occasionally becomes clogged.
* If using a bowden printer, typically has a TFM coupler directly on top of it that must be replaced periodically when it begins to show signs of burn

* **Diameter:** the diameter of the hole at the bottom of the nozzle. Controls the thickness of walls (0.8mm nozzle can't make 0.4mm walls)
* **Material:** typically brass. A hardened or ruby tipped nozzle is required for **abrasive** filaments (wood filled, carbon fiber, etc.)

### Components

**Limit Switches**

* These are used to tell the printer when it has reached the end of a linear direction so that it can re-updates it's known position
* The printer should "home" by hitting all three of these switches before starting each print (on most printers)
* The switches connect to the main printer control board and can usually be replaced if needed

**Lead Screw**

* A special threaded rod that the print bed or build plate typically is attached to in order to control Z-axis movement precisely
* These require lubrication periodically, consult the manual of the printer you are using to confirm how often

**Belts and Steppers**

* Belts and steppers also control the print position. Typically a stepper will control belts that move the print head in the X and Y direction.
* The belts will occasionally require tightening, consult the manual of the printer you are using to confirm how often

**Linear Bearing**

* There are straight rods that the print head slides across to move in the X and Y direction. They keep the print head in place and the print head usually has bearings that go over the rods.
* These rods and bearings will require lubrication periodically, consult the manual of the printer you are using to confirm how often

Lead screw that controls the Z-axisLimit Switch or End Stop that homes movementBelts that control the pulley system that control many printhead's X and Y axesBelt and pulleys, straight rods, and linear bearings working to make a printhead that moves in X and Y
## Further

For printer specific information, see below:

* Ultimaker 2+
* Ultimaker 3
* MakerBot Replicator