Ender 3 V2 Printer

Machine Status: Currently in the UAF Makerspace

We use Ultimaker Cura as the slicer for this printer.

Leveling

  1. On the printer screen, go to prepare ⇒ autohome

  2. Go to move, and move the printhead (using the stepper motors) to one of the four corners

  3. Move the printhead so that z is equal to 0 (careful not to bash the printhead into the build plate)

  4. Use a leveling paper (or a notecard) between the printhead and the bed, and lower the z-offset until there is just a little bit of resistance between the card and the printhead

  5. Turn the cog to adjust the height of the bed

  6. Go to move, and raise the Z coordinate slightly so that the print head does not run into the build plate (do not change the z offset at this point)

  7. Repeat for each corner

  8. Go back to the home menu, and select level

  9. The leveling process is now complete

Loading Filament

  1. Put filament spool on the spool holder

  2. Go to control and preheat the printhead to the temperature specified for the material (may be found on the filament spool itself)

  3. Once preheated press the black level on the feeder and push the filament in

  4. Then go to prepare ⇒ move ⇒ extruder and move it slightly to make sure that the filament is coming out of the nozzle.

  5. The filament is now loaded

Importing/Exporting

  1. Import your .stl file into Cura.

  2. Use the scale and move tools to adjust your object

  3. Open settings and adjust the parameters as needed.

  4. Add supports as needed

  5. When finished, click slice. Export your gcode file to an SD card and put it on the printer.

Parameters

  1. Layers: 

    1. Layer Height: 0.2mm

  2. Infill:

    1. Infill Density: 20% (but can be changed based on your desired strength)

    2. Infill Pattern: Tri-hexagon

  3. Adhesion:

    1. Brim, if print has a small footprint

    2. Skirt, if print has a large footprint

  4. Supports (if needed): Normal Supports

    1. Support Placement: Everywhere

    2. Support Pattern: Lines/tree

    3. Support Density: 10%

Starting the Print

  1. On the printer screen, select "print" and select your file.

  2. Double check that the filament is loaded properly and that the build plate is clear (do not use glue on the build plate).

  3. Once the print has started, watch the first couple of layers to make sure it adheres to the plate.