(readme)USB Stick Printing Guide
Recommended reading list（Our printers are Bambu H2D Pros）：
https://bambulab.com/en-gb/support/academy/8 both the Beginner and Intermediate chapters,
https://wiki.cci.arts.ac.uk/books/digital-fabrication-lab/chapter/bambu-advanced-3d-printers
Download the Bambu Studio Software: https://bambulab.com/en/download/studio
Reminder: don't log out of the Admin account, and don't try to change or fix any part of the machine yourself.
If you want to keep the timelapse, it is recommended to use the USB flash drive safe eject function to avoid hot plugging. Directly unplugging the USB flash drive may cause the video and timelapse files to be damaged and unable to be opened.
Book a slot on ORB
As a Lab Pro user, you can use the machine independently during lab opening hours by booking a slot on ORB. (unrecognised prints will get cancelled) Follow the steps
To become a Lab Pro user, you must first complete the induction and several successful prints under a technician’s supervision. Supervised printing sessions can be booked directly with the technicians.。
Important things to check
- Check how long your print will take, then book the slot according to that, + 20 mins for file slicing and machine preparation time. Arrive before the slot starts. If you are not shown and not cancelled 3 times, you will get banned from the lab
Once a Bambu Slot Has Been Booked
Please follow the preparation steps below.
Preparation Process
1. Download Bambu Studio.
2. Set the printer model to H2D Pro, choose PLA filament
3. Choose the filament profile
4. The following settings should already be set by default:
(1) Equipment
- Bambu Lab H2D Pro
- Build plate type: Textured PEI Plate
- Nozzle diameter: 0.4 mm
- Nozzle type: Standard
(2) Set the filament to Bambu PLA Basic.
(3) The recommended basic print profile is 0.2 mm Standard. Please choose a profile according to your needs: the finer or stronger the print, the longer it will take. You can also use Variable Layer Height if super fine print quality is extremely important. 
5. Speak to the technician if you need to print in multiple colours/types of filaments.
6. Check your model:
Important things to check
- Check how long your print will take, then book the slot according to that, + 20 mins for file slicing and machine preparation time. Arrive before the slot starts. If you are not shown and not cancelled 3 times, you will get banned from the lab
- Whether Bambu Studio shows any warnings or errors - If there are issues, fix the model in CAD or use the Free Online STL Repair Tool.
- Whether every object is attached to the build plate
If not, either split models into objects or enable support.
- Fix your model if a window pops up as below
Ultimaker Cura is relatively forgiving with imperfect STL files, while Bambu Studio is stricter about mesh errors. If Bambu Studio asks for repair, the file likely contains non-manifold edges, open surfaces, overlapping faces, reversed normals, or very thin features. Please repair the mesh before slicing, or return to the original modelling software to clean the geometry. - determine whether your model needs support and enable it if necessary, and select different settings according to your model
7. Slice the plate using Custom mode.
8. Arrange the filament.
Check the filaments in the machine first,
For a single-colour print, set the PLA Basic filament to the right nozzle and use the machine to get the colour you need.
Once the file has been sliced, the model preview will be shown.
- Select the small arrow next to Print Plate.
- Click on the Export plate sliced file option.
8. Export .gcode and name the file as:
YourSlackName.gcode.3mf for printing
YourSlackName.3mf as project file for further editing (in case you might need a hand from the technician)
Save them onto a USB stick. A USB stick under 64 GB is recommended. We also have some in the lab; feel free to use them as long as you keep them in the lab.
9 Operate the Machine
Insert it into the printer's USB drive slot.
With the file sliced and copied to the printer's USB drive, you can start 3D printing.
Select the "Print Files" menu.
Then select the "From USB" option.
Browse the list of files on the USB and choose the .gcode file you transferred.
If you want to keep the timelapse, it is recommended to use the USB flash drive safe eject function to avoid hot plugging. Directly unplugging the USB flash drive may cause the video and timelapse files to be damaged and unable to be opened.
Select your preferred PLA Basic filament colour on the screen; the colour will appear if the filament is loaded. If not, talk to the technician and let them show you how to load the filament properly. Do not operate without AMS operating experience; you might ruin the material station.
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