So I’m thinking that a 3D printer is going to end up under my tree this year. I have heard from several that I would be well suited with the either the creality ender 3 or the Geeetech A10. I think so far I have decided on the A10. What’s the recommended software? Is there any open source software or do I need to buy something? What filement do you all have the best luck with like the size and material? It would be nice to get something like ABS that is reef safe but also works well for things like boxes and brackets or whatever else I’m printing. Anything else I should consider?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F3YTT6W/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_TI17BbVBANZFF
You don't need to buy any software unless you want to but I find the free ones are more than sufficient. I use:
- Printer firmware - Marlin (open source/free). I am pretty sure both of those options come with Marlin already installed but check to ensure they have thermal runaway protection feature turned on.
- Slicing - Cura (free). Has heaps of features (and they keep adding more). It works so well I haven't had any reason to even consider buying a slicing software.
- CAD - Fusion 360 (free for hobbyists / start ups). Hands down one of the best CAD programs you can get and it's free! I've tried a few but it is well worth learning how to use fusion from the start if you can. SketchUp and TinkerCAD are also free, will work and are easy to use initially, but fusion has so many great features. Lars Christensen does some awesome tutorials for beginners to F360, it is well worth your time to invest a couple of hours into his videos before you start.
As for filament, PLA, PETG & ABS are the most common and both the printers you are looking at can print any of them in a 1.75mm filament.
Different brands and even colours of the same brand have different properties (mostly the nozzle temp required to get a great print) but generally I have found that after a small test print or two it doesn't matter much if I use cheap stuff or expensive stuff, so far it has all printed well with the right slicer settings (just playing with trial and error).
PLA - Easy as to print. If it is reef safe or not is debatable. Some people say they have had it break down in their tanks, others have had no issues over multiple years. I'm currently trying it out with a few things to see for myself if I can get it to break down in my tank, so far no signs of degrading after about 6 months. Even if it does break down some have argued it is a similar material to bio pellets anyway and would just act as a carbon source (but there is no proof if it is harmful or not if it does break down).
PETG - A bit harder to print but should be easy enough with the printers you are looking at. Without an enclosure large flat prints can still warp though. Shouldn't degrade at all in a reef and is reef safe as far as I know.
ABS - Hard to print without an enclosure. Needs a really warm and temp stable environment to print well and can give off some fumes that are probably toxic. Enclosures to keep the temp stable can be cheap and simple or hard and complicated depending on what you want it to do. But it is also reef safe as far as I know.
