The first step to using our Lulzbot here at Turing is to download the application. The link is here There are instructions on the website on how to download the program.

When you open up the program for the first time, you'll need to indicate which printer you're using. We are using the Lulzbot Taz 4

What exactly are you printing? For us first timers, let's find a cool print online.

Example places to find 3D printable models:

• Thingiverse
• Pinshape
• My Mini Factory
• Yeggi

For our example, we'll be printing out Pikachu!

When we downloaded Pikachu, it downloaded a .zip folder. When we unzip it, we can see 2 .stl files. For the purposes of the 3D printer, we want .stl files. There are many other types of 3D model files, including .obj.

Open up the Cura app, and look at the toolbar on the left hand side. There are plenty of settings depending on your experience level.

• Material Ease of use to beginner
• Material is PLA(eSun)
• Standard Profile
• Select Print Brim

When we print a brim, it prints out an extra bottom layer that helps the plastic stick to the bottom. Optionally you can print a support structure for unstable models.

Next we'll load our model.

This is a visual representation of the actual ground and how big the printed model will be. To change how big pikachu will print, hit the scale.

As you can see, Pikachu is only 32 mm or about 1.25 inches. That's tiny! Let's change the scale to 2. You can see when you update the scale, the time estimate on the upper left changes. It's just an estimate though. Pikachu at this scale will take almost 2 hours to print!

Now, we have to export the model. Insert an SD card into your computer. Hit save gcode. Save it on the SD card, and it will save a .gcode file on the card.

• We've switched to using only PLA plastic because it doesn't crack in between layers.
• PLA, if left unmoving in a heated nozzle will crystalize and clog up the nozzle. If this happens, Turing has to replace the nozzle at the cost of 150$
• To prevent this, as soon as the nozzle is heated up start printing.
• Never leave the running printer unattended for more than 30 minutes. If the PLA happens to break, the printer can't tell and will continue to print, causing it to crystalize!
• Never set nozzle temp above 230!

1. Under the Control menu, set the nozzle temperature to 190 and the bed temperature to 65
2. Once the nozzle reaches full temperature, select "Print From SD" and navigate to your file.
3. The printer will automatically cool down when done printing, so you don't need to turn it off yourself
4. Make sure to monitor the first few minutes to make sure the beginning sticks to the bed. Go by the printer about every 30 minutes to make sure it's printing OK.

1. Plug in your computer to the machine. Open up Cura and a new menu will pop up
2. Raise the z-axis to 50mm
3. Set the nozzle temp to 190. Once it's reached full temp take out the old one and put the new one in. Extrude the filament until you see the filament change colors.