Modern 3D printers are so much more refined than the early machines I tried just over a decade ago. They are almost plug-and-play, the quality of the results is often almost perfect. Also, you don’t need a lot of technical knowledge to run a printer anymore.

Which is why a lot of people take a model after it’s done, and think that’s the end of it, but the truth is that when the print head stops moving and the printer says “Completed” on its screen, there’s still quite a bit for you to do before your print is really complete.

Let the print cool before you touch it

There’s no rushing perfection

Credit: Sydney Louw Butler / How-To Geek

Letting your print cool on the plate before removing it isn’t always needed, and it isn’t always practical if you’re up against a deadline. However, if you can, you should wait for your heated build plate to release the model naturally. Different build plate coatings do this at different times, but it’s usually only a few minutes.

I print large plates of print-in-place models to be sold at market, and these have delicate linkages that can easily break if you try to pull them off when the adhesive strength is too strong, which means wasting a model because you couldn’t wait.

Also, depending on how hot the plate is, some models can warp if they aren’t allowed to cool on the flat build plate. The bottom line is that if there’s no pressing need to get the model off the plate, just wait a while. If you really need to start printing again right away, just buy a second build plate. So one can cool off while the other prints.

Build Volume

256 × 256 × 256 mm

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

The ELEGOO Centauri Carbon 2 builds on the solid foundation of its predecessor and adds an affordable, effective multicolor system to the mix.

Inspect every print before calling it done

See something, say something

Just because your printer says that the print is done, and it looks OK at a glance, doesn’t mean all went to plan. Check the print for defects such as layer breaks, under-extrusion, ringing, stringing, and I use an electronic caliper set to ensure the dimensions of models where it matters are in fact correct.

If the model has any moving parts, or bits that have to snap into other parts, you need to check that they fit the way they’re supposed to. Otherwise, the model isn’t usable.

It’s important to check for defects with every print, but it’s most important early on if you’re going to print lots of copies. It sucks to realize your printer or model has a systematic issue after you’ve already printed dozens of them.

Clean up and finish the model

The devil is in the details

Credit: Sydney Louw Butler/How-To Geek

Some models, especially well-designed print-in-place models need barely any polish once printed, but I have never encountered a 3D model that could not be improved in some way with manual cleaning and finishing.

Sanding, trimming, deburring, and generally smoothing out the layer might take a little time and effort, but it is usually worth it. We have a dedicated cleaning process for the models we sell which involves carefully removing any bit of the model that doesn’t belong, like blobs or support marks, and then carefully going over the model with a low-heat gun. This gets rid of stringing and smooths sharp edges and layer lines out well.

However, we use this method for speed and cost. It’s not a common technique, and we’ve gotten quite good at smoothing the model without damaging it. If you’re making stuff for yourself, then methods such as vapor smoothing or painting are likely better.

Give your printer a quick post-print checkup

An ounce of prevention…

Credit: Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek

You know how you’re supposed to give your car an inspection every time before you drive off in it to make sure it’s safe? In real life, no one actually does that, but it is a good idea to give your printer a quick look over after every print. Consider that it’s just been printing for several hours, so spending 60 seconds to give it a check is a fair tradeoff.

Clear any debris from the build volume. Check that every cable, plug, and screw you can see is where it should be.

Give the belt, rollers, and other moving parts along with the hot end a quick look for obvious signs of things being amiss. If you catch certain problems before starting the next print you’ll save yourself a lot of heartache and money.

Learn from every print before starting the next one

3D printing is an iterative process. Every time you print something that’s new in terms of the model, the settings, or a new combination of things, you have a chance to learn something.

If you notice an issue, use online resources to diagnose what the likely cause could be. Check your printer, check your slicer settings, and try to make the next one a little better. This is very much a hobby (or a business) where the “1% better everyday” philosophy is very much in effect. So, add that minute or two of your own time, and over a longer term you’ll see a big improvement in the results.