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Getting Started

Getting Started With 3D Printing Basics

Getting Started With 3D Printing Basics

  • Ryan Lutz
  • Oct 5, 2015
Join the 3D printing revolution! This quick overview will familiarize you with the important concepts of fused filament fabrication.
3D printers look like fun, and you can't wait to join the party-- right? If you've been waiting for the opportune moment to dive head-first into this exciting world of new technology, wait no more; your time has come. This article will walk you through taking your first steps into the wide world of 3D printing. (More)
How to Print in Multi-Color with a Single Extruder

How to Print in Multi-Color with a Single Extruder

  • Erica Derrico
  • Jan 14, 2016
Want to print in multi-color but only have one extruder? Fear not! With just a simple trick using MatterControl, you can print with all the colors of the rainbow.
When I first started working at MatterHackers all of my friends were so intrigued by the concept of 3D printing, I would often get the question, "What does something 3D printed look like?". So I decided to make myself a key chain I could put on my car keys; something I could easily grab out of my bag when people asked me. The trouble was, I am a very colorful person. I did not want my key chain to... (More)
How to Customize Your Presets in MatterControl

How to Customize Your Presets in MatterControl

  • MatterHackers
  • May 21, 2014
Presets are an incredibly powerful tool for getting exactly what want out of your 3D print. With a little bit of knowledge under your belt, you'll be printing more efficiently than ever before. --------------- Updated 6/12/15
Hey there, stranger! I hear that you’ve been using MatterControl lately. I also hear that you're ready to start creating and customizing your own presets! Don't know where to start? Not to worry my fine friend, guides like this exist for a reason. So settle down into your favorite pair of pants, it's time to learn about presets.... (More)
How To Calibrate Your Extruder

How To Calibrate Your Extruder

  • Taylor Landry
  • Mar 3, 2015
This quick and informative guide will help you calibrate your extruder perfectly, resulting in accurate, quality prints.
Your 3D printer extrudes and retracts precise amounts of filaments in order to create your printed masterpieces. Well, it does if it’s properly calibrated. Calibrating your extruder is one of the most important, as well as one of the most overlooked, things you can do to your machine. If you’ve been unhappy with your printing results or have noticed either under or over-extrusion, thi... (More)
How To Succeed When Printing In PLA

How To Succeed When Printing In PLA

  • MatterHackers
  • Feb 27, 2013
Let's dive into the details of 3D printing with PLA filament. We will discuss what PLA plastic is and how to make it work with your printer, how to find the right temperature and what surfaces to print on.
PLA is a wonderful, easy to use, 3D printing material. It is a renewable and biodegradable resource.  It is non-toxic and has a pleasant smell when printing.  PLA filament comes in a wide range of colors and because of its thermal characteristics, is particularly easy to get great prints with.... (More)
A Guide to the Tolerances of Your 3D Printer

A Guide to the Tolerances of Your 3D Printer

  • Scott Cahoon
  • Jun 29, 2016
Understanding your 3D printer’s limitations and how these may influence the design and production of 3D printed parts will guide you along the path of producing the highest quality products.
Most users of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printing technology understand that the resolution on finished prints / parts is typically 100 microns or greater with some manufacturers claiming printer resolution of 50 microns. (More)
Anatomy of a 3D Printer

Anatomy of a 3D Printer

  • Tyler Anderson
  • Feb 3, 2016
Get an understanding of how 3D printing works, from the inside and out. This guide will walk you through each of the critical components of a 3D Printer, answering the question: "How does a 3D printer work?"
Between the names of the parts and their functions, it can be hard to keep it all straight. Here is a quick guide of the anatomy of a 3D printer. We will focus on mechanical and electrical components of the most common desktop 3D printer type: fused filament fabrication (FFF) or fused deposition modeling (FDM). (More)
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