【3D Printing News】Ultimaker Cura: Advanced Tips and Tricks
Each new version of Ultimaker Cura adds more features based on user needs. If you are already an advanced Cura user, this tutorial might reveal some unexpected Ultimaker Cura functionalities and help resolve printing challenges you thought were insurmountable.
Use the "Recommended Mode" in Ultimaker Cura, which contains preset parameters ready for 3D printing; "control freaks" can also adjust all settings in "Custom Mode," enjoying over 300 personalized adjustments.
Let's look at some commonly used settings in Custom Mode, as well as new features recently added to Ultimaker Cloud:
(Access Custom Mode via the dropdown print menu in Ultimaker Cura.)
Network Synchronization
Ultimaker 3 or Ultimaker S5 printers connected via network cable or cloud can automatically synchronize material and print settings. If you have multiple Ultimaker printers interconnected, simply select the material that best suits your needs without having to extensively reset each individual printer or material. Custom Supports
Place or remove support material in the areas you need. Use support blocker cubes to place supports in specified areas, and double-clicking removes support material from that area.Print Paths
Preview your print paths in preview mode to confirm that the printing process meets your requirements, and make adjustments in the slicing settings as needed.Hide Z-Seam
If you are preparing a conceptual model for display and have certain aesthetic requirements, hiding the Z-seam is crucial. The Z-seam is the starting point of each horizontal layer when 3D printing the next layer. As printing height gradually moves, this originally inconspicuous seam can create an imperfect line on stacked 3D printed objects. Placing the starting point at the sharp corners or inside the model can hide the Z-seam.
(Use the search bar to find preferred custom settings. In this example, the seam will be placed in the corner.)
Progressive Infill
Water-soluble support material PVA offers breakthrough benefits for FDM 3D printing technology, but it is not the cheapest filament. Progressive infill reduces the density of support material at the very bottom of the model and gradually increases it as it approaches the model's requirements, streamlining the cost of PVA. Additionally, this can reduce the time required for 3D printing.Support Interface
Another tip for more effective use of support material is to use a support interface. In dual-material printing, regular PLA can still be used as support material for other parts, with PVA only used at the contact surface between the 3D object and the support. This way, printing costs and PVA dissolution time can be saved.Data Backup
Back up your preference settings and parameter files to Ultimaker Cloud so you can save settings and back up your work anytime, anywhere. This is also compatible with all operating systems, allowing you to copy settings backed up on a Linux system to a Windows computer system, for example.
Remote Printing
Connect your 3D printer and pre-print operations through Ultimaker Cloud, allowing you to send prints remotely. This means you can prepare 3D print objects in your fixed office, send them to the 3D printer via the cloud, and easily share designs with colleagues across different countries.These hidden Cura features can make 3D printing work smoother, more conveniently reducing production time and costs. Click here to download the free Cura 4.0 and enjoy these new features now!
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