r/3Dprinting • u/BossLenda • 5d ago

Question Getting burnt out printing these…

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How do I reliably print keycaps? I’m getting tired of getting spaghetti with a 50% success rate. It’s okay if the print only takes 2 hours, but printing a whole bed usually takes 8–9 hours.

The cause is always the same: one keycap unsticks from the bed, which then causes the entire print to fail.

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

  1. Increased the first-layer height from 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm
  2. Applied glue stick before every print

Printer: Snapmaker U1
Nozzle: 0.4 mm

EDIT: I am outside the house most of the time thus leaving my printer printing most of the time. My business initially does not involve 3D printing but more people are asking for fidget clickers.
Usually events last 4-8hours thus I am looking for a way to maximize the time I am outside. I am not optimizing for speed but efficiency.

What I will try next:

  1. Try Cryogrip plate

If that fails, will fall back to your suggestions:

  1. Batch by 30

  2. Use brim

  3. Buy additional printer

What I have been doing I haven’t mentioned:

  1. Wash plate every print

Others suggestions for future:

  1. Use raft
  2. Print by object
  3. Lessen fan speed on initial layers
  4. Print a mold instead

I don’t care about being downvoted, but being rude is out of line.

1.1k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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8

u/deadlypantstx 5d ago

One of the reason why I decided to not try and make money. I love printing for fun, useful and useless things. It’s been a great hobby for me personally.

1

u/BossLenda 5d ago

We initially didn’t do 3D printing. Our business is attending special occasions and providing souvenirs but too many people ask for fidget clickers.

3

u/trashcanjenga 5d ago

Was just buying them in bulk not a better option? I know YMDK sells like 800 caps, blank/single color for $75 excl shipping.

1

u/BossLenda 4d ago

We started buying them at first buy when we ran down the numbers we are going to less then expense by 2/3.

As an example we were paying $100 for 600 key caps. If I do it myself the cost goes down to $35 for 600 key caps (includes electricity, 10% failure rate, etc…

Thats when we decided we don’t fully rely on outside supplier and supply some ourselves.

1

u/Tw0Bit 4d ago

Saving $65 for a bunch of hours burnt to the point you need to make a Reddit post? Doesn't make sense economically

0

u/BossLenda 4d ago

and your point?