3D Printing: ​File Setup in Ultimaker Cura for an Anet A8 3D printer

Purpose:​ ​File Setup in Ultimaker Cura for an Anet A8 3D printer

Companion Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3SuEN3k_z8&list=PLgdsiuL2zCyqxMQS769A-X7IcRAxhdyTO

1. Open up Ultimaker Cura 3.0.4

2. On the top menu bar choose ​Preferences

https://youtu.be/w3SuEN3k_z8?list=PLgdsiuL2zCyqxMQS769A-X7IcRAxhdyTO&t=42

a. In the ​Preferences Menu ​choose Printers.

b. Choose ​Add Printer→ Other→ Prusa i3

3. Choose ​Open File ​to the left hand side of the machine
a. Choose a 3D object file to print.

4. To view the part file in different modes use the view selector in the
top right corner.

5. Make sure the ​print

material is PLA.
3D Printing: ​File Setup in Ultimaker Cura for an Anet A8 3D printer

6. Now it is time to setup to print details for the

print.

https://youtu.be/w3SuEN3k_z8?list=PLgdsiuL2zCyqxMQS769A-X7IcRAxhdyTO&t=135
a. Choose ​Custom ​on the right hand side of the screen

b. Select the ​Profile ​clarity. Fine is

suitable from most prints.

c. Next determine the ​Shell ​thickness. For this print the shell thickness will be .8mm thick.
If more rigidity is needed, choose a thicker shell.

d. After that, choose the ​Infill density. ​This will determine how much material is applied to
the insides of the of the part. For models and
non-structural parts 20% infill is suitable for
structural parts or models aim for 60% or
more.

e. Under the ​Material ​menu, for PLA, make the ​printing temperature 215 degrees celsius
and the ​build plate temperature 60 degrees celsius.
https://youtu.be/w3SuEN3k_z8?list=PLgdsiuL2zCyqxMQS769A-X7IcRAxhdyTO&t=28
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3D Printing: ​File Setup in Ultimaker Cura for an Anet A8 3D printer

f. In general, nothing needs to be changed in the ​Speed ​menu. Only change the speed if the
print is small or highly detailed.

g. Ensure ​Cooling​ is enabled to create a better

print quality.

h. Supports​ will not be applied to these prints.

Only use supports if there are cantilevers or
large spans that are unsupported vertically.

i. For the​ Build Plate Adhesion​ choose from the drop down menu. I suggest using either a
Brim ​or a ​Raft. ​These elements aid in preventing the piece from sticking to the build
plate.

7. On the left hand side of the window the ​orientation,

scale, position, and number​ of the prints can be
changed.

https://youtu.be/w3SuEN3k_z8?list=PLgdsiuL2zCyqxMQS769A-X7IcRAxhdyTO&t=460
3D Printing: ​File Setup in Ultimaker Cura for an Anet A8 3D printer

8. In the bottom right corner, choose ​Save to

file.

a. Choose the ​microSD card​ that will attach to the printer.

b. Ensure that the print is saved as a ​GCode File (*.gcode)​ for the Anet A8 3D printer

This now completes to basic setup tutorial for file setup in Ultimaker Cura for an Anet A8 3D printer