The success of a 3D print depends on the integrity of the first layer. But just a bit of plastic oozing out of the nozzle can ruin everything. Not everyone can afford a printer equipped with servo-assisted nozzle wipe routines to get around this problem, but you can still spare a few minutes to manually babysit the first layer.
Good lighting, however, is the bare minimum requirement for that purpose. And incorporating it in your existing 3D printer is cheaper and easier than you think. Here’s how you can upgrade your printer with slick LED lighting to improve first-layer visibility.
Tools and Materials Required
In addition to a 3D printer, you will have to make sure you have these tools and materials ready before diving into this project. Since this guide offers options in terms of skills, tools, and materials required, the requirements are split into the mandatory and optional categories.
Most of the items listed are commonly found in a typical household, but you may need to purchase some of these. Although you can buy the mandatory items right away, please read through the guide once to figure out which one of the optional items you already have and make a note of those that you may need to procure.
Nothing is as frustrating as finding out you have a critical tool or component missing in the middle of a build.
Items You Absolutely Need
- 3D printer.
- SMD LED strip.
- Scissors.
- 3D printing filament (PLA, PETG, or ABS).
- Hookup wire (gauge varies according to voltage chosen).
- Wire stripper (recommended) or sharp blade.
- M3 T-slot nut (drop-in type recommended).
- 6mm M3 button head cap screw and compatible screwdriver.
Optional Items
- Phillips head screwdriver (standard sizes: #1 or #2).
- Solderless LED strip-to-wire connectors.
- Soldering kit.
- Heat-shrink tubing (10mm).
- Heat gun or lighter.
- Ring or fork insulated terminals.
- Insulated terminal crimping tool.
Step 1: Figuring Out LED Strip Placement
For the majority of 3D printers sporting the Prusa/Mendel bed-flinger design, such as the Prusa i3 or Creality Ender 3, there’s only one optimal location where you can install the LED strips. And that’s on the underside of the aluminum extrusion acting as the cross-member between the pair of Z-axis extrusions.
Installing the LED strip in this location will not interfere with your 3D printer’s motion system, while shining light directly down onto the build surface. The vertical Z-axis extrusions also serve as a convenient means to route any wires safely without fouling with the motion components such as linear rails or V-slot wheels.
