It's time for your first 3D print on the LulzBot TAZ 6 desktop 3D printer! Prior to starting this guide, your 3D printer should be fully unboxed, assembled, and ready for operation. When you have finished this Operation Guide, you will have your own 3D printed rocktopus. Every LulzBot TAZ purchased from Aleph Objects, Inc. or an Official LulzBot Reseller is covered by a non-transferable one-year warranty and technical support. If you have questions along the way, contact us by emailing support@lulzbot.com.
KNow your MachiNe Graphical LCD SD Card Slot Control Knob Power Switch Extruder USB Port (back) Power Port (back) Rock2pus P.E.I.
M3 Screw (2.5mm) Filament Guide Tube Aluminum Frame Smooth Rod Lead Screw Idler Retainer Hinged Idler Drive Gear Tool Head LulzBot v2 Hot End Nozzle Filament Reel The Cartesian Coordinate Robot The LulzBot TAZ can move on three linear axes that define its movement, X, Y, and Z.
STEP 1 Download and Install the Software for your LulzBot® TAZ 1a Visit LulzBot.com/Cura to find download and installation instructions for Cura LulzBot Edition, the software that will control your 3D printer. Even if you already have Cura installed on your computer, visit LulzBot.com/Cura anyway to get the latest version. Unable to download Cura from the Internet? You can also find download packages on the included SD card that comes with your LulzBot TAZ.
STEP 2 Configure the Software for your LulzBot TAZ 2a Launch Cura LulzBot Edition. Begin the Configuration Wizard to select your machine and under “Select your machine,” select LulzBot TAZ 6. 2B Click Next >, and then click Finish > to complete the Configuration Wizard. Cura LulzBot Edition is now ready for use.
STEP 3 Connect and Power On Your LulzBot® TAZ 3A Verify that the power switch is in the off position. 3b If you haven't already, plug the AC power cable into your 3D printer and plug the other end into an AC power outlet.
3c Plug the square USB connector into your printer and to a computer. 3D Power on your LulzBot TAZ.
STEP 4 Prepare for Your First Print 4A A 3D model named rocktopus will automatically load onto Cura's virtual print bed the first time you run the software. The rocktopus is the first object you will 3D print on your LulzBot® TAZ. If the rocktopus model is not present on the virtual print bed, you can download it from LulzBot.com/rocktopus or from the included SD card, then load it using the Load Model button in the main Cura interface. 4B Locate the included sample coil of nGen filament.
4c In Cura, on the left side of the screen under “Material ease of use” select First Run. The “Material” option will change to nGen. 4d Under “Select a quick print profile”, select Standard. Leave all other options off.
STEP 5 Control Your LulzBot® TAZ and Set the Temperature 5A Using your computer, click the Control button found in the left-upper portion of the main Cura interface. A new window called “Printer Interface” will open. The word “Operational” will appear once the machine is connected. If the Control button does not appear, verify that your USB cable is fully inserted at both ends. If you still do not see the Control button, review the software installation instructions for your operating system at LulzBot.
You need to remove the remaining filament left in the tool head from quality assurance before loading new filament for your first print. 230ºC is the required hot end temperature to remove nGen from the tool head. 5B Using the Printer Interface window, raise the hot end temperature up to 230ºC by typing 230 under “Temperature”, then clicking Set in the Printer Interface window. Monitor the current printer temperature using the status bar at the top of the Printer Interface window.
The hot end is now heating up to 230ºC (446ºF) and can burn your skin.
STEP Lower the Hinged Idler and Remove Loaded Filament a Locate the tool head of your LulzBot TAZ. Using the idler retainer, compress the springs and slide up, allowing the hinged idler to move freely. Then, allow the hinged idler to rotate into the open position. STEP Continued...
B Wait until the status bar of the Printer Interface shows the temperature has reached 230ºC. c Once the temperature has reached 230ºC, pinch the nGen filament loaded in the tool head and remove it by pulling up.
STEP 7 Prepare and Load Filament 7a We recommend using the included nGen filament sample for your first rocktopus print. Mount the nGen filament sample on the filament holder, then pass the filament through the filament guide tube so it feeds down into the tool head. Filament Guide Tube nGen Filament STEP 7 Continued...
7B Locate the feed hole in the extruder body where you removed the loaded filament during Step 6. Filament feeds through this hole and down into the hot end for printing. Feed Hole The hot end is now heating up to 230ºC (446ºF) and can burn your skin.
7c Make sure the idler retainer is touching the springs so it is out of the way. Push the nGen filament down into the feed hole in the extruder body and through the hot end, until a small amount of filament comes out of the tip of the nozzle. This may require a firm push.
STEP 8 Raise the Hinged Idler Compress the springs with the idler retainer and rotate the hinged idler clockwise into an upright position. Lock the hinged idler into place by sliding the idler retainer back down into the locked position.
STEP Verify Print Extrusion a Make sure your LulzBot TAZ is ready for printing by verifying the printer's ability to extrude filament. Using your computer, click the Extrude 10 button in the Printer Interface and watch for filament to feed through the nozzle, towards the print bed. STEP Continued...
b If you do not see filament coming through the nozzle and the drive gear stops moving, click the Extrude 10 button once more and wait. Repeat as needed until you see consistent and repeatable extrusion. c Wait ten seconds for the filament to cool, then remove the extruded filament with the included tweezers.
STEP 10 Start Your First Print Wait! Are you ready to print? Check that your LulzBot TAZ is in a well-ventilated area on a flat and level surface with 30 centimeters (12 inches) of clearance in every direction. Did you make changes to your object after opening the Printer Interface window? If so, you will need to close and re-open the Printer Interface window to incorporate these changes. STEP 10 Continued...
10a Click Print in the Printer Interface window to start your first 3D print, then watch your LulzBot TAZ automatically prepare itself for 3D printing.
10b Your LulzBot TAZ will first cool down and move to the front of the bed to clean off its nozzle. After cleaning, your LulzBot TAZ will then conduct an automated bed-leveling sequence, heat up to final temperature, and start printing. This process can take up to five minutes. 10c Watch as your very own rocktopus is made before your eyes! Total print time should take approximately one hour.
STEP 11 Cooling and Part Removal 11a After your LulzBot TAZ is finished 3D printing, the print bed will automatically move backwards into the cooling position. Your printer is now actively cooling. Do not attempt to remove your 3D printed object before the print bed moves forward. Attempting to do so could either burn your skin on the hot end or print bed, or damage your 3D printed object.
11b Once finished cooling, the print bed will move forward indicating it is now safe to remove your printed rocktopus by lifting gently underneath it with the included blue handled knife. Carefully slide the blade under two or three of the tentacles, then slowly slide the blade under the center until it releases from the print surface. The thin line around your rocktopus is called the print "skirt" and can be removed and discarded before or after you remove your printed object, whichever you find easier.
STEP 11A 12 Rock on Congratulations! Now that your LulzBot TAZ is up and running, share your 3D printing skills on social media using #rocktopus. Don't forget to tag us in your post, then follow us for the latest news. You can find LulzBot on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn. Next, join us on the LulzBot Forum at Forum.LulzBot.com! Need ideas for what to print next? Get inspired by visiting LulzBot.com/learn.
STEP 11A 13 Your Next Print 13a There is a length of the nGen sample filament remaining in the hot end after your first rocktopus print. If you want to continue printing with the provided sample, proceed to Step 13D. To remove this filament, repeat Step 5 and Step 6 in this guide.
Purging, Part Removal, and Bed Preparation Guide Filament Purging Temperature (˚C) Safe Print Bed Temperature for Part Removal (˚C) ABS, HIPS 240 50 Isopropyl alcohol wipe PLA 205 45 Isopropyl alcohol wipe Magnetic Iron, nGen, Stainless Steel PLA 230 50 Isopropyl alcohol wipe Laybrick, Laywoo-D3 190 50 PVA glue stick n-vent, INOVA-1800, t-glase 240 50 PVA glue stick Bridge, PCTPE, 910 240 60 PVA glue stick Print Bed Preparation (See maintenance section for more information) Your
Splitting the difference in temperature between the two filaments is important, otherwise you may lower the quality of your next print or even clog the nozzle. 13c Purge the residual filament that remains in the hot end using the Extrude 10 button, as shown in Step 9. Wait until the drive gear stops moving and repeat as needed until you see consistent and repeatable extrusion of the new filament. Change the hot end temperature to that of the new filament then close the Printer Interface window.
13d Clear the virtual print bed by right clicking (or holding control and clicking) the rocktopus model and selecting Delete Object. Then upload the new model that you want to print next by clicking Load Model in the main Cura Interface. Not sure what to print next? Rock on with the rock2pus, which you can download at LulzBot.com/rock2pus 13e With your new object set, re-open the Printer Interface window by clicking Control in the main Cura interface.
Maintaining Your LulzBot® TAZ Desktop 3D Printer Warranty and Support Your machine comes with a non-transferable comprehensive one-year warranty and customer support. For more information please visit us at LulzBot.com/Support. Source Files This product is licensed as Open Source Hardware and runs with Free Software because we respect your freedom to see how it works, make modifications, and share your modifications with others. Find the source files online at Download.LulzBot.com/TAZ/6.
Replacement time for the nozzle wiping pad will vary depending on the types of materials you are 3D printing with. Several spares are included with your LulzBot TAZ, and additional nozzle wiping pads are available for purchase online at LulzBot.com. Print Bed Make sure that the hot end and print bed are completely cooled and at room temperature before beginning any cleaning or maintenance of the print bed. Your LulzBot TAZ has a PEI print surface, which helps printed objects adhere to the bed.
