G1

3D Printer
Owner's Manual

3dborg.com/g1

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................................2
Links...........................................................................................................................................................3
Upgrade & Replacement Parts..............................................................................................................3
Troubleshooting.....................................................................................................................................3
Firmware Updates.................................................................................................................................3
Reorder Filament...................................................................................................................................3
Safety.........................................................................................................................................................4
Parts List....................................................................................................................................................5
Supplies.................................................................................................................................................5
Toolbox .................................................................................................................................................5
Software Guide..........................................................................................................................................6
Driver.....................................................................................................................................................6
Host.......................................................................................................................................................6
Repetier.............................................................................................................................................6
Pronterface........................................................................................................................................8
CAD.......................................................................................................................................................8
Electronics Guide.....................................................................................................................................10
Printing Guide..........................................................................................................................................11
Connecting Printer to Host Software...................................................................................................11
Load Filament......................................................................................................................................11
Removing Old Filament..................................................................................................................11
Installing New Filament.................................................................................................................12
Changing Filament While Printing.................................................................................................13
Calibrating...........................................................................................................................................13
Adjusting Z-Axis............................................................................................................................13
Glass...............................................................................................................................................14
Calibrating Z-Axis Home Position.................................................................................................14
Leveling the Build Plate.................................................................................................................15
Prepping Build Surface.......................................................................................................................16
Taping ............................................................................................................................................16
Cleaning..........................................................................................................................................17
Print 3D Model....................................................................................................................................17

Revision 1

3/25/13

Links
You can order parts or download the
free .stl source code to produce spares
and build upon this code as you see fit.
It's good to print a spare to have on
hand before it breaks.
3dborg.com/catalog/26

Upgrade & Replacement Parts

A list of common printing problems and
fixes.
3dborg.com/3dprinter/troubleshooting

Troubleshooting
The G1's stock Firmware is already
installed in your electronics. A copy can
be found by navigating to your G1
Software Bundle > Development > Firmware
> Model. It's good to check for updates
once in a while.

Firmware Updates

3dborg.com/3dprinter/electronics/firmware
The G1's stock Filament Size is 1.75mm.
The Type is determined by the build
platform. ABS does well on a heatbed. PLA
does well heated and not heated.
3dborg.com/catalog/5

Reorder Filament

Safety

Parts List
Included

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

G1 Printer
Starter Filament
Software Bundle CD
USB Cable
Power Supply with Cable

Supplies
Not Included

Tape It will get scraped, so keep extra on hand. Kapton Polyimide Tape
works well for ABS. 3M Blue Painter's Tape makes a great surface for
printing PLA and can be found in hardware stores.
Bed Cleaner - For heatbeds, pure acetone is ideal and can be found in beauty
supply stores. Nail polish remover with acetone, alcohol, or ammonia (window
cleaner) could be used. For acrylic beds, alcohol or ammonia (window cleaner)
is ideal. Pure acetone and nail polish remover with acetone could leave bed
permanently cloudy.
Bed Prep Helps ABS and PLA's bottom layer stick.
Glass - Gives a flat surface to print on and can be found in hardware stores.

Toolbox
Not Included

Long Tweezers - Removes excess filament from hot end tip.

Razor Blade & X-Acto Knife - Cleans support material strands from finished
print.
Small Spatula - Helps get finished prints off the bed and can be found in
craft stores.
Metric Ruler
Digital Calipers - Measures your filament's diameter. The filament may
fluctuate with humidity.
Loctite - Vibration can work nuts and bolts loose over time if threadlock
is not used. Some should not be threadlocked due to their regular maintenance
such as the idler block screws and the aluminum build platform screws.
Lithium Grease Lube the rods once in a while to prevent noise and dirt.
Pliers - Helps remove prints from bed sometimes.
Metric Allen Wrench Set - 2.5 for the extruder's idler block screws.
Phillip's Screwdriver
Drill Bit 0.3mm - To clean clog from hot end.

Software Guide
Driver
For most users, the driver will automatically install when the printer's USB is
plugged into your computer.
If your OS is unable to automatically install the driver, it can be manually
installed by navigating to your G1 Software Bundle > Development > Driver > OS or
from FTDI at http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.

Host
The Host Software (Repetier, Pronterface, etc.) sends G-code to your printer.
Slicing scripts (Slic3r, Skeinforge, etc.) convert your .stl file to G-code. We
will start with Repetier/Slic3r since it's the easiest.

Repetier

1. Install Repetier-Host by navigating to your G1 Software Bundle > Host

Software > Repetier > OS. Be sure to save the work directory in your user
folder (ex. C/Users/John/RepetierWork) or you may get an error.
2. Plug the printer's USB into your computer.
3. Select the printers USB port (COM1, etc.) and clickConnect.

4. Configure Repetier by clicking Config > Printer Settings.

In the Connection tab, select the Port you're using and make sure your
settings match the image below:

In the Printer tab, the image below is a good starting point. PLA: 250
Extruder/60 Heatbed ABS: 250 Extruder/80 Heatbed

In the Printer Shape tab, make sure your settings match the image
below:

5. Configure Slic3r by clicking on the Slicer tab > Configure > File > Load
Config then navigating to your G1 Software Bundle > Host Software > Repetier
> Configure > Model. They are simple stock settings. Experimenting with these
settings later can help your printing techniques.

Pronterface

You can skip this part for now but we recommend trying Pronterface/Skeinforge later
to learn the advantages and disadvantages over Repetier/Slic3r. The Pronterface
installation and configuration guide can be found at
3dborg.com/3dprinter/software/host/pronterface.

CAD
You will eventually want to design or convert 3D files. The host software
accepts .stl so as long as your CAD software can save an .stl, you should be good
to go. We recommend you install and try a few later.

MeshLab can open many common file formats (PLY, STL, OFF, OBJ, 3DS, COLLADA,

PTX, V3D, PTS, APTS, XYZ, GTS, TRI, ASC, X3D, X3DV, VRML, ALN) and export
them as .stl files.

SketchUp needs a .skp to .stl converter plugin.

OpenSCAD

Blender

FreeCad

Electronics Guide
Note: Never connect, adjust or disconnect wires while powered on. Always turn
"Motors Off" in host software before unplugging. Failure to do so, may damage
electronics.

Printing Guide
Connecting Printer to Host Software
1. Open the host software (Pronterface, Repetier Host, etc.).
2. Select the printers USB port (COM1, etc.) and clickConnect. You may
hear a tick when the motors are connected and disconnected.

3. Plug the printers power cable into power outlet.

Load Filament
Removing Old Filament
1. Unscrew the 4 idler block bolts with a 2.5 Allen
Wrench.
2. Set the "Extruder temperature to 240 in
Repetier Host.

Idler Block Bolts and Allen

Wrench

3. When it is at 240, gently pull filament out.

Installing New Filament

1. Clip filament with wire cutters at a 45 angle.
2. With the "Extrudertemperature at 240, insert
the filament into the top of extruder until it
stops.
3. Gently push filament until it starts coming out
of the hot end's nozzle.
4. Screw the 4 idler block bolts in with a 2.5
allen wrench until it's flush with the outside
of the nut.
5. Press the Extrude button a few times until Snip Filament at 45 degree
angle with Wire Cutters
filament starts coming out the nozzle.

Insert Filament here

Idler Block
Nuts flush with
Bolts
6. Measure filament with digital calipers. It should be 1.71.75mm.
7. Input this in your Host Software's Filament Diameter.
Digital Calipers
measuring
Filament

8. If you changed colors or type, extrude until the old color is gone.

Changing Filament While Printing

1. Press the "Pause Job in Repetier.

Calibrating
Adjusting Z-Axis
1. Lay a metric ruler on the top right side of aluminum
Z-axis carriage. Measure from there to top of the back
acrylic plate.
2. Repeat for left side. Adjust as necessary with Z-axis
knobs to make even. Clockwise is up. Counterclockwise
is down.

Z-Axis Knob
Metric Ruler measuring
from top of Aluminum to
top of back Acrylic

Glass

Acrylic Build Plate - You don't need glass.

Heatbed - You can print directly on the heatbed but when it

heats up it can bow. The larger the print, the more
noticeable it is. An 8" x 8" glass gives a flat surface to
print on and can be found in hardware stores. It can be
held to the bed with two binder clips on the front and two Binder Clip holding
Glass to Heatbed
on the back.

Calibrating Z-Axis Home Position

1. Go to home position in your host software. All axis should find home. If for
some reason an endstop doesn't engage, simply press "Disconnect" and adjust
the endstop screws.

2. Notice how high your nozzle is above the build plate.

3. Hit the Z-Axis 10mm button up. You want your nozzle Hot End Nozzle
to barely kiss the surface your printing on. Too
high and your print will not stick well. Too low and your print will be hard
to remove.

4. If it's too high, turn the Z-Axis Endstop Screw

counter-clockwise 1/4 of a turn. If it's too
low, turn the screw clockwise.
5. Press the Z-Axis Home Position. Repeat until
Z-Axis Endstop Screw
it's correct.

Leveling the Build Plate

The print bed is level before shipment but may have shifted. The first layer may
have enough squish in one area but if another side of the bed is too low it will
probably lift there. You can level it by using a piece of paper to check the gap
under the hot end nozzle.
1. Move the hot end nozzle to home position.

2. Slide the paper back and forth underneath it and raise the nozzle in .1mm
increments. Stop when you feel the nozzle grab the paper a little.

3. Move the nozzle to the back right spring-loaded screw

and adjust the screw until you get the same amount of
friction as you felt with the back left. Then adjust
Spring-loaded Screw
the front screws the same.
4. Go back and check each one again since adjusting one screw can affect
another. You shouldn't need to adjust the screws more than twice.

Prepping Build Surface

Taping

ABS Cover the surface to be printed on with Kapton Polyimide Tape.

PLA Cover the surface to be printed on with 3M Blue Painter's Tape and a
small amount of build plate prep. If you're using a heatbed and glass, you
can skip the tape.

Cleaning
The surface to be printed on needs to be free of grease and oils or the print may
not stick well. It needs to be cleaned in between prints.

Glass - Pure Acetone is ideal to clean the glass when cooled and can be found
in beauty supply stores. Nail polish remover with acetone, alcohol, or
ammonia (window cleaner) could be used.

Acrylic - Alcohol or ammonia (window cleaner) is ideal. Pure acetone and nail
polish remover with acetone could leave bed cloudy.

Print 3D Model
1. Choose a 3D model.
the .stl file in the G1 Software Bundle > T5.stl
your own CAD design saved as .stl or .gcode
3DBorg Replacement Gallery
Thingiverse
SketchUp 3D Warehouse
2. Load your .stl file into Repetier.

3. Sliceyour .stl file in the Slicer tab.

4. Press Run Job.

Enjoy your printed part!