Beginner’s Guide to 3D Printing Part 2: Bed Leveling, Slicer Settings, and First Print

In this video, Shawn dives into the essential steps of 3D printing, guiding you from setting up your printer to producing your first print. You'll learn how to level your print bed, adjust the Z-offset, and change filament, making sure your 3D printer is ready to go. The video covers configuring your slicer, an important step for converting 3D models into printable G-code, and walks you through key settings like layer height, infill, and supports for a perfect print. Check out our written guide here: https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/projects/3d-printing-basics-bed-leveling-filament-loading-slicer-configuration/ddc0d7891f6c41a2b49f913566c3357e Note that the videos showcase a LulzBot SideKick 747, but the concepts should apply to just about any Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printer. If you’re new to 3D printing, this tutorial makes it easy to understand the technical details without being overwhelming. Whether you’re working with PLA filament or exploring more advanced materials, the video offers practical tips for optimal results. Shawn walks through downloading the famous 3DBenchy design, tweaking slicer settings, bed leveling, and changing filament to get your first print. Simplify3D has a great guide on the pros and cons of various materials: https://www.simplify3d.com/resources/materials-guide/. We recommend starting with PLA, as it is inexpensive and easy to work with. Slicer settings can be overwhelming at first. We recommend focusing on the following options in the beginning: Layer Height: Determines the thickness of each printed layer. Lower values (e.g. 0.18 mm) result in higher-quality prints but take longer, while higher values (e.g. 0.25 mm) print faster but with less detail. Wall Thickness: Sets the number of perimeter lines that form the walls of your print. A higher wall thickness adds strength but uses more material. Infill Density: Controls the internal structure of your print. A lower infill percentage (e.g. 20%) uses less material, while higher infill adds strength. Print Speed: Adjusts how fast the printer moves while printing. Slower speeds generally result in better print quality, while faster speeds reduce print times but may introduce errors. Temperature Settings: Set the nozzle and bed temperatures based on the filament type. PLA typically prints around 200°C for the nozzle and 60°C for the bed. Support Structure: Build scaffolding up to overhangs to prevent dropping. Build Plate Adhesion: Add a skirt (single-layer, disconnected outline), brim (single-layer connected outline), or raft (multi-layer, connected bed) to help with nozzle flow and help the part stick to the build surface. While 3D printing has come a long way in recent years, it still requires some tweaking to get good, consistent prints. The following troubleshooting guides can help you identify problems and potential fixes: Simplify3D’s Print Quality Troubleshooting Guide: https://www.simplify3d.com/resources/print-quality-troubleshooting/ MatterHackers’ 3D Printer Troubleshooting Guide: https://www.matterhackers.com/articles/3d-printer-troubleshooting-guide All3DP’s Common 3D Printing Problems Troubleshooting Guide: https://all3dp.com/1/common-3d-printing-problems-troubleshooting-3d-printer-issues/ Stay tuned for our Introduction to FreeCAD video series where you will learn to design and print your own parts!