Neptune 4 Pro How to Use Guide
This section should include initial setup and operation instructions that guide users through the basic steps of using the printer:
- Unboxing and Setup
- List of Included Components
- Initial Setup Steps:
- Assembling the Printer Frame
- Installing the Print Bed
- Connecting Cables and Securing Parts
- Basic Printer Operations
- Display Screen Operation and Navigation
- Starting a Print (Loading Filament, Selecting Files, Adjusting Settings)
- Auto-Leveling Procedure
- Software Usage
- Installation of Slicing Software
- Basic Software Functions (Model Import, Preview, Slicing, and File Export)
- Basic Troubleshooting for First-Time Users
- Ensuring Proper Print Bed Adhesion
- Adjusting Nozzle Height
- Basic First-Layer Calibration Tips
LulzBot Mini (rubber printing)
- Basic Printer Operations
- The LulzBot Mini is controlled through the computer on the desk next to it, through the program Cura LulzBot Edition 3
- Printer commands are in the Monitor menu, and things that will affect the model/printing are in the Prepare and Preview menus
- Changing Filament
- Click the preheat button in the Monitor menu. The nozzle should start heating to ~245 °C
- Once it is hot enough the “Extrude” and “Retract” buttons should turn green (found in the Monitor menu)
- Retract until you are able to pull the end of the old filament out (GENTLY)
- It may help to increase the Extrude Amount, located below the Extrude and Retract buttons
- DO NOT change it above 50 mm
- Snip the end of the old filament at an angle, wrap it back around the spool, and thread the end through the two holes in the side of the spool to prevent tangling
- Take the new filament and make sure its working end is snipped at an angle
- Push the new filament end (GENTLY) into the spot the old filament came out of until there is resistance
- Keep a SMALL AMOUNT of pressure on the filament and press the Extrude button until the filament starts going in on its own. You can let go of the filament at that point
- Extrude until the filament coming out of the nozzle is the color of the new filament. Do not waste filament going too far past the color change but do make sure there is only new filament coming out
- It might take a while to push all the old filament out of its system, so be patient
- IF SWITCHING BETWEEN NINJAFLEX AND PLA: This will take longer and the PLA might burn slightly. Just keep going until the new filament comes through.
- Software Usage
- The LulzBot Cura operates very similar to Elegoo Cura and its interface should be easy to navigate
- Bring in models either by dragging the file to the plate or by selecting them after choosing to browse files by clicking the button in the top left
- Setup
- Cura LulzBot Edition 3 (v. 4.13.10)
- Upload model, position and scale as normal
- Make sure printer is set to “Mini 1 | HS+ | 1.20 mm”
- At top of screen (Mac menu): Settings > Printer > Mini 1 | HS+ | 1.20 mm
- Make sure filament is set to “NinjaFlex 85A” (and that it matches the filament in the machine- check the spool label)
- Same place as printer settings > HS+ > Material > TPU (Flexible) > NinjaTek > NinjaFlex 85A
- In the Monitor menu, click the Connect button to connect to the printer. Make sure it is turned on or this won’t work
- Once the profile and other things are set up, you can print by slicing the model and selecting “Print via USB”
- Once your print is done you will have to click Abort Print in the Monitor menu to be able to start a new print
- Profile
- SHORTCUT: If available, just click Profile and select “Rubberprints.” This should change all the below profile settings automatically.
- Infill is generally good at 20% but change as judged
- On larger prints, a brim (in Bed Adhesion) might be helpful but might be difficult to remove
- Supports
- If support settings are not visible, click “Custom,” scroll to the Support dropdown menu, and check “Generate Support”
- The Custom menu is the only place you can change what type of supports are generated (tree or normal)
- THE RUBBER FILAMENT IS NOT VERY GOOD AT SUPPORTING ITSELF
- In the Recommended menu, turn Overhang Angle down to 48 or lower
- Troubleshooting
- If you try to start another print and the temperature of the nozzle is still going down/print doesn’t seem to be starting
- Abort Print in Monitor menu
- Disconnect and Reconnect to printer
- Re-slice and Print via USB again
- Unable to click print button/clicking anywhere seems to just be clicking on one button or spot:
- Right click somewhere else and then try again. If this doesn’t work, close the program and begin again
- Printer is not responding to Monitor menu commands (eg Preheat or Extrude)
- Re-slice your model and then return to the Monitor menu and try again
- If you are trying to Extrude or Retract, is the nozzle hot enough?
- If Preheat and the other buttons are still not responding, disconnect from the printer (Disconnect button in Monitor menu) then reconnect (Reconnect button)
- If things are still not working, close and reopen the program (make sure it’s edition 3)
- Layers are drooping during printing
- If you are not okay with the drooping, abort the print from the Monitor menu in Cura
- Check that your model is oriented in Cura in such a way that would minimize overhangs
- Double check that your settings in the Prepare menu are the same as the recommended settings above
- If the settings are already the same as the ones above, consider decreasing the Overhang Angle for the supports or decreasing the Outer Wall Speed in the Custom menu
- Slice and preview the changes. Make changes as necessary before printing
- If you try to start another print and the temperature of the nozzle is still going down/print doesn’t seem to be starting