How a 3D printer works, what to print first, and how to calibrate it for clean prints — independent of brand.
This is the start of the 3D Printing & Modeling track. You'll learn the anatomy of an FDM machine, how slicers turn STL files into G-code, how to level a bed and calibrate flow, temperature, retraction, pressure advance, and input shaping — and how to pick the right filament for the job. The course is printer-independent: examples cover both Marlin and Klipper firmware, both bowden and direct-drive extruders, both Cartesian and CoreXY printers. By the end you'll have a printer that produces reliable, dimensionally-accurate, aesthetically clean prints — and the diagnostic skills to fix anything that breaks.
Built by Lakshya Kumar
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I'm learning 3D printing on FDM — printer anatomy, calibration (bed leveling, e-steps, flow, temperature, retraction, pressure advance, input shaping), filament selection (PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, nylon, polycarbonate, composites), troubleshooting (warping, stringing, layer shifts, under-extrusion, elephant's foot), and how to choose the right material for a project. My printer is [brand/model]; my filament inventory is [list]. Help me understand the underlying physics + mechanics, not just settings to copy.
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Sign in to applyComplete all modules, then submit the required number of capstone projects. Each must earn a passing rating from an admin reviewer.
Run every calibration on your machine — bed leveling, Z offset, e-steps, temperature tower, flow, retraction, pressure advance — and produce a one-page calibration document. Include dialled-in values per material, photographs of test prints before and after, and a 'quirks' section noting anything specific to your specific machine. The goal is a reproducible recipe that turns your printer from 'usually works' to 'reliably prints anything you throw at it.'
Reference for input shaping, pressure advance, and modern printer firmware. Used in M5-M6.