Creality Ender 3 Pro – Slicer Basics : Cura Settings & Optimization
As part of this tutorial we will learn more about slicers, why they are required for 3D printing and how to make use of the highly popular Cura slicer to generate gcode files (from your STL designs) your Ender 3 Pro requires to run a 3D print.
There are many slicers out there on the market, some free and some more advanced ones sold as commercial products. Cura happens to be free, works with the Ender 3 Pro and even allows for some advanced customization. Cura is quite popular across the maker community but by no way is it the only slicer out there. So please feel free to explore the other options, this track however focuses on using Cura as the slicer for all our 3D printing needs.
Please also note that the version of the Cura slicer software, version of the Ender 3 Pro would have changed significantly over time. So it’s likely that by the time you are reading this tutorial the version numbers of the Cura Slicer have change significantly, the concepts should (hopefully) however remain the same.
Prerequisites
- This tutorial makes extensive use of the Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer
- If you haven’t purchased a Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer yet you might want to head over and pick one up now.
About Creality Ender 3 Pro
Creality3D has improved the durability and robustness of its 3D printer line by upgrading its fundamental structure and build over the years. The power supply is now from MeanWell, a brand known for its reliability in electronics for over 35 years. Creality3D also improved the Y-axis gantry to a 40mm x 40mm extrusion, ensuring that the build plate will be as consistently level as possible, print after print after print. The inclusion of these trusted names and methods ensures the safety and stability of the Ender 3 Pro, allowing you to take your 3D printing to new heights. The Ender 3 Pro is an affordable 3D printer. It’s an excellent and affordable tool for makers, hobbyists, tinkerers, and even beginners. If you are willing to spend some time and give the printer some tender loving care, the Ender 3 Pro is capable of delivering astonishing quality prints that puts pricier printers to shame.
The Creality 3D printer line is completely open-source, allowing for add-ons and upgrades of almost every component on the machine.
Here are the technical specifications of the Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D printer:
- Print volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
- Nozzle: Single 0.4mm
- Filament: 1.75mm
- Heated bed temperature: 110℃
- Max. print speed: 180 mm/s
- Layer resolution: 0.1 – 0.4mm (100-400 microns)
- Connectivity: SD card reader
- LCD screen: Yes
- Print precision: +/- 0.1mm
- Packing type: Un-assembled kit