Using Filament

Our 3D printers are great for the beginner, intermediate or advanced user. You are welcome to bring your own files, but we are primarily running prints from https://www.thingiverse.com/. This is an open source database that has over 2 million free files. Be sure to read review. As always – hobbies don’t always turn out perfect the first time!

Software on the computers operating our 3D printers:

  • Ultimaker Cura – A powerful, open-source slicing engine. Runs the 3D printer on tested settings that have proven to run smoothly, but allows you to customize many settings.
  • TinkerCad – Use this if you’d like to build your own 3D print files. You are welcome to do that on our computers, but it is web-based, so you can create your model at home and then come in and print it.
  • Filetypes Used: STL or 3MF

**Please notice that any files saved on our computers will be lost every evening. We highly recommend a jump drive for saving your hard work!**

You only Pay for what you print! While we do sell filament by the spool, you can also use our wide variety of filament and only pay for what you print. Prices are listed on our website, here – https://druidcitymakerspace.com/product-category/consumables/3d-filament/

Ender 5 Plus

Our Ender 5 Plus has several upgrades over the stock layout.

  • First, it has an upgraded silent board. This thing is now whisper quiet! However, for some reason, a firmware upgrade mishap during this process is causing the screen to constantly revert to Chinese. Fortunately, we have it set-up to be controlled by the computer. But, it is kind of annoying.
  • Second, the hotend is a MicroSwiss hotend with Capricorn bowden tubing. Why did we upgrade this? Has nothing to do with the fact that we stripped the stock hotend when trying to remove the nozzle …
  • Third, we have a dual gear extruder. We were trying to get TPU to print without a direct drive setup. It works “okay.”
  • Finally, we have a magnetic PEI buildplate. Makes for easy removal to most build. We also have the original coated glass buildplate in case you want to use that.

Ender 7 (CoreXY)

Our Ender 7 is really cool, as it is a CoreXY setup. It claims to print at speeds up to 250 mm/s. Haven’t really gotten that fast, but have done some prints at 180 mm/s with good results.

The only upgrade to this system was a silent board (which thankfully did not cause the screen to be stuck in Chinese).

This system is slightly more challenging to use as it does not have an auto-leveling system. However, the buildplate levelness has been really consistent between builds so it is not too bad.

If you’re looking at using high print speeds with this, it will take you some time to dial in the temperature and retraction rates.

Using Resin

This is a 3D printer that uses liquid resin and UV light to print 3D models that are extremely detailed. This type of print requires two-steps. The actual printing, with our standard photopolymer resin (in grey or black), then the washing and curing to finish the print.

For washing and curing we use a Wash and Cure 2.0 Station. This cleans your printed model in 99.9% isopropyl alcohol and then cures your model using UV light to set the resin.

Software Used: Chitubox

Filetypes Used: STL or 3MF