A 3D printer, also known as a desktop laser cutter, is an electronic machine that builds physical items from digital designs. These machines are useful in various applications, from prototyping to manufacturing parts for commercial products. However, they require maintenance. If you don’t take the necessary steps to keep them in good condition, printing anything may not be easy.
We all know that 3d printing is the new craze, and everyone wants to have one in their home. There are thousands of 3d printers available in the market, and you can buy any printer depending on your requirement. But one thing that is not clear to everyone is how they should clean it.
You must clean your 3d printer regularly because when you are not cleaning the printer, you are not only risking your valuable printer but also the life of your printer. It would help if you tended the 3d printer because it is the machine that will print the designs you will be designing. So, here are the simple tips that will help you to clean your 3d printer.
How to Clean 3d Printer
Remove the printed parts:
Before removing the prints from your printer, you will want to remove all the pieces, so they don’t get damaged. There are many ways to do this. The most common method is to take a pair of scissors and cut around each piece. If your printer has removable supports or screws, try using them for support while you cut.
Put in cleaning solution:
When your print is finished, you will want to soak it in water to remove the plastic residue left behind by the printing process. Use soap and water if possible.
Clean inside:
Once you have soaked your print in a container with warm water, you will need to scrub off any remaining gunk or dirt. This can be done by hand, dishwashing liquid, or even using an old toothbrush.
Dry it:
After you have cleaned your object, you will want to dry it. You may use a fan to help speed up the drying process. However, you should avoid leaving it outside too long because heat from sunlight could damage your prints. It would help if you also didn’t leave them out in direct sunlight since that can cause light exposure, potentially affecting your image.
Display it:
If you have been successful, your print should now be ready to display. Depending on the size, weight, and material used, you may want to place it on a frame, stand, or shelf. Make sure you keep it away from things like walls, furniture, and other fragile items.
Clean your machine:
Keep your 3D printer clean and free of dust and debris. To ensure good printing, you will need to wipe down the build platform, nozzle, and extruder at least once a week.
What Can I Use to Clean a 3D Printer?
3D printing is a new invention, but we can see that this technology is growing rapidly, and it is used in almost all industries. We can see that 3D printers are being used in various sectors like clothing, architecture, healthcare and medical, etc.
As this technology is getting more popular, 3D printer owners are facing some problems with cleaning the 3D printer. The main problem is that most 3D printers are made of stainless steel and aluminum parts, making them difficult to clean.
So, what can we use to clean a 3D printer? Here are the best options:
Toilet bowl cleaner
Toilet bowl cleaner works like a charm and is also very cheap. If you have ever cleaned a toilet bowl, you can use it to clean the 3D printer. You need to add some water and mix it to make the solution.
You can add a little amount of vinegar to make it work. But make sure that the vinegar is not too strong as it will make the solution change the color of the metal.
Vinegar and dish soap
Combining vinegar and dish soap is another option to clean a 3D printer. It isn’t easy to use, but it will give the best result.
When the solution is ready, you need to use a soft brush to clean the parts of the 3D printer. It would help if you mixed vinegar and dish soap in equal amounts. Now add water and stir it.
Wet wipes
Another option is to use wet wipes to clean the 3D printer. You can use it to clean the parts of the 3D printer that are not visible.
So, these were some of the best solutions to clean a 3D printer. Now it is your turn to decide which one suits your budget.
How Often Should You Clean a 3D Printer Bed?
3D printers are very similar to normal printers; they print different products in other materials. The 3D printers use 3D printing technology to build products using plastic, metal, wood, ceramic, rubber, etc.
If you are using a simple 3D printer and you want to print something, then it is not necessary that you need to buy a new 3D printer. Just follow the simple instructions, and you will be able to create your 3D printer easily.
So, before starting your first project, ensure that your 3D printer is ready and you have enough filament for printing.
So, let’s discuss the maintenance of 3D printers.
3D printer beds should be cleaned every time you start a new project. If you don’t clean the mattress, you will have many problems when you print the first time.
Most 3D printer owners don’t clean the 3D printer bed after every print. But, I suggest you clean the 3D printer bed after every print. 3D printer beds get dirty quickly, and if you don’t clean the bed, it will affect your next prints.
The only thing you need to remember is that if you are using a 3D printer that has a heated bed, you need to take special care while cleaning the bed.
Can I Leave Filament in My 3D Printer?
The filament is the material that goes inside your 3-dimensional printers. You need to check the manual to know whether you can use the same filament in different models.
Some filaments have been designed specifically for certain machines. However, most of them work well with any device. You should be careful when using a new kind of filament, though. This is because some of these materials can cause problems. For example, they might melt or stick to the print head.
If you’re worried about this, you can always ask the manufacturer for advice.
You shouldn’t worry too much about leaving a piece of filament in your printer. The chances are that it won’t harm anything. However, there is a chance that you could damage the part of your printer where the filament enters and exits. So, it would help if you took extra care when changing the filament.
To make sure that you don’t accidentally get this wrong, you should place the nozzle at an angle so that it’s pointing away from the exit. Then, you’ll be able to see exactly what you’re doing.