PRUSA MINI+ 3D PRINTER

HPU MAKERSPACE

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Table of Content:
Software……………………………………………………………………………………….…… 3
• Installation……………………………………………………………………………………………………..… 3
• Import File………………………………………………………………………………………………….....… 4
• Modification to the 3D model……………………………………………………………………..…… 5
o Scaling………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…… 5
o Object Print Quality……………………………………………………………………………………….… 6
o Infill……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 6
o Support…………………………………………………………………………………………………….……… 7
• Slice/Export Object………………………………………………………………………………….………… 9

Hardware………………………………………………………………………………….……..… 10
• Components………………………………………………………………………………………..…………….. 10
• Safe Handling/Transporting……………………………………………………………………………….. 11

Pre-Printing (Prep)……………………………………………………………………………. 11
• Firmware update……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 11
• Calibration…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
o Wizard………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
o Selftest……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
• Preheat………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
o Default………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……. 12
o Manually…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
• Filament…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
o Load………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
o Unload………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14

Print…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14

Post-Print………………………………………………………………………..…………………. 14
• Remove the Heatbed Sheet……………………………………………………………………………….. 14
• Clean the Heatbed Sheet……………………………………………………………………………………. 15

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Prusa Mini 3D Printer
Software:

Installation:
1. Follow this link: https://help.prusa3d.com/downloads

2. Scroll down and locate Original Prusa MINI+ => DRIVERS & APPS 2.6.0 => Download for …
(Click on the icon representing the device you are using, Ex: Mac, Microsoft, etc.)

3. After the file is downloaded => Open Downloads folder => Locate and double click on the file
“prusa3d_….dmg”

4. Follow the prompts to continue the installation => Once installed, double click on the
PrusaSlicer icon

5. “PrusaSlicer - Configuration Assistant” will appear => Click Next to skip the Welcome slide

6. On the second slide, scroll down and locate MINI Family => Click on 0.4 mm nozzle
checkbox

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7. Click Finish => On the Plater Screen, locate Printer on the right side => Click on the arrow =>
Choose “Original Prusa MINI & MINI+”

Import File:
1. Toggle to File => Import => Import STL/3MF/STEP/OBJ/AMF...

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2. After the 3D object file has been chosen, the object should appear on the Plater screen like
this

Modification to the 3D model:

Scaling:

- The 3D model size may be changed by:

1. Toggle to the 2nd icon on the left-hand side of the screen & click on it
2. Use the mouse to drag the arrows on the outer line of the object
a. Green: Change size vertically, ratio will be altered
b. Red: Change size horizontally, ratio will be altered
c. Orange: Change the size but keep the original ratio
d. Blue: Increase/Decrease the height

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Object Print Quality:
- The quality of the object may be adjusted due to the filament thickness. There are 8 quality
presets available:

- It is recommended to print a Draft version (Prototype) before increasing the quality

- The higher the Quality is and thinner the filament is, the printing time will be increased

Infill:
- 3D printing infill refers to the internal structure of a 3D printed part. The purpose of infill
is to optimize part weight, strength, and printing time.
- More infill will increase the printing time and vice versa

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Infill % can be adjusted accordingly by:
- Locate Infill on the Right-hand side of the screen, right under Supports

Support:
- Support may be used to prevent the 3D object from collapsing during printing.
How to Preview Support:
- In the Left Bottom corner of the Plater Screen => Locate and click the cube icon with
layers

There are 3 support settings:

1. Support on Build Plate only:

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 2. For Support Enforcers only:

3. Everywhere:

There are 3 Support styles:

1. Grid:

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 2. Snug:

2. Organic:

Slice/Export Object:
- Once the object is appropriately modified, the object can be sliced/exported and ready
to be printed
- Information regarding printing time can be found in the Sliced info box

1. Locate & Click on Export G-Code in the Bottom Right corner

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 2. A pop-up box will appear => Rename & Relocate the file if needed
3. Set G-Code files (*.gcode, ….) for File type
4. Save

Hardware components:

1. Spring steel sheet

2. Heatbed
3/13/15. Y-Axis/Z-Axis/X-Axis
4. Knob and reset button
5. LCD Screen
6. Power switch
7. USB port & Micro USB port
8. Main PTFE tube
9. Tube fitting
10. Print fan
11. Print head
12. Nozzle
14. Extruder motor
16. Spool holder
Pic 1: Components of the Prusa Mini

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How to safely handle/transport the printer?

Please handle/transport the Prusa Mini 3D

printer in the appropriate manners shown

in Pic. 2

*Never hold it by the cables or PTFE tubes

as damage to the printer could occur.

Pic 2: Two ways of safely handling the printer

PRE-PRINTING:

Firmware update:
To keep the printer’s Firmware up to date, you may regularly check it:

1. On Home => Info => Version Info

2. Confirm the Firmware Version

If there is a latest version available, you may update it by:

3. Following this link: https://help.prusa3d.com/downloads

4. Scroll down to locate the ORIGINAL PRUSA MINI+ as the following picture

5. Click on Download, under FIRMWARE #.#.#.

6. Place the .BBF file on a FAT32-formatted USB drive - you can use the one bundled with
your MINI+
7. Insert the USB drive into the printer’s USB port (7)
8. Restart the device using the restart button next to the Knob

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 9. The update process should start automatically
10. Wait until the process is complete

Calibration:
Wizard:
- Choose this option whenever the printer is moved to a new location
- Consists of Selftest, Mesh Bed Leveling, and First Layer Calibration
1. On Home => Calibration => Wizard => Yes
2. Follow the prompt.

Selftest:
- A diagnostic tool designed to detect and reveal common issues of the printer
- Consists of Extruder and Print Fan test; X, Y, and Z-axis test; Heatbed and Hotend Proper
Wiring
- May be performed weekly
1. On Home => Calibration => Selftest
2. The test will automatically proceed after choosing Selftest

* Ensure that the Heatbed Steel Sheet is properly placed on the Heatbed before starting the
test. Otherwise, Selftest would fail.

Preheat:
- This step is necessary as each material requires its specific temperature requirement

Default:

1. Scroll the Knob to Preheat on Home => Press the Knob (4)
2. Scroll the Knob the material that would be used (Ex. PLA, PETG, etc.) => Press the Knob
to initiate heating up the Heatbed
3. After pressing on the material => You will be prompted to Home => Temperature
(second bottom line) will start blinking orange until the required temperature is
reached.

Manually:
1. Scroll the Knob to Settings on Home => Press the Knob
2. Scroll to Temperature => Press the Knob
3. Scroll down to Heatbed => Press the Knob => The number (right hand side) will start
blinking orange
4. Scroll the Knob clockwise to increase the temperature (70-90 is recommended) TUNE
=> Press the Knob again after you have scrolled to the desired temperature => The
Heatbed will start heating up to reach the set temperature.

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Filament:
Load:
1. Place the Filament roll on the Spool Holder (16)
2. Cut the filament using the provided cutter or a pair of scissors at an angle (45 degrees)

3. Insert the filament into the Main PTFE tube (8)

4. On Home => Filament => Load Filament => Choose filament material to initiate the
Nozzle/Heatbed preheat
5. Once the Nozzle preheat temperature is reached, the beeper will sound => Press the
Knob to start loading
6. Push the filament further into the tube to reach the Extruder (14)
7. The filament will be fed automatically after reaching the Extruder
8. Once the load is completed => The screen will show 3 options (Yes/No/Retry) * to
confirm the color of the filament => Choose the appropriate option.

*Yes – Color is correct; No – The printer will push out more filament => Reconfirm; Retry –
Repeating the Loading process

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PRINT:
1. Make sure that the 3D object file in the USB Drive as “*.gcode” file type
2. Insert the USB Drive into the USB Port (7)
3. Locate Print => Press on the knob
4. Locate the 3D object file => Press on the knob
5. Press on Print

6. The printer will start pre-heating the Nozzle and the Heatbed Sheet
7. Once the required temperature is reached, the machine will automatically start printing

*The printing progress may be paused/stopped at any time by pressing the knob

POST-PRINT:

Remove the Heatbed (Optional):

- Since the Heatbed Sheet is attached to the printer magnetically, you may pull it off once it cools
down.

*The temperature won’t burn, but allow it some time to cool down

Unload:
1. On Home => Filament => Unload Filament
2. Choose the material that is currently in the PTFE tube => The Preheat process is initiated
=> The beeper will sound once the target temperature is reached
3. Press the Knob to start unloading the filament

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 4. The Extruder will start unloading the filament => Once done, pull the filament out of the
PTFE tube manually

Clean the Heatbed Steel Sheet:

1. Ensure that the printing process has ended, and the product has been taken off the
sheet
2. Remove the sheet by lifting it up by the corner nearest to you
3. Use alcohol pad to wipe the sheet
4. Place the sheet back after cleaning using the provided alcohol pad.

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3D Printer – Prusa Mini+ Quiz:

1. To reduce the printing time, you may:

a. Decrease the size of the object in PrusaSlicer

b. Decrease the infill percentage

c. Choosing a preset Print setting with thicker filament size and focus on Speed instead
of Quality

d. All of the above.

2. Before inserting the Filament into the Main PTFE Tube, the Filament:

a. Can be inserted as it is

b. Needs to be cut at an angle (~45-degree)

c. Does not need to be stationed on the Spool Holder

d. Needs to be wiped with alcohol

3. The Prusa Mini+ printer can use any Filament brand. T / F

4. The Selftest calibration needs to be done:

a. At any convenient time

b. Daily

c. Monthly

d. Weekly

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5. Which 3D object would require Support to print:

a.

b.

c.

d.

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6. The recommended Pre-Heat temperature for the Heatbed Sheet (at our institution) is:

a. 120 – 140 Celsius

b. 100 – 120 Celsius

c. 70 – 90 Celsius

d. 40 – 60 Celsius

7. Make sure that the 3D object file in the USB Drive is saved as ______ file type before
initiating the printing process.

a. *.obj

b. *.stl

c. *.step

d. *.gcode

8. The printer can be pulled/moved by holding the cables as they are tightly connected to the
printer, thus, won’t cause any damage. T / F

9. The Nozzle and the Heatbed Sheet temperatures need to be pre-heated accordingly to the
filament material being used. T / F

10. It is not required to clean the Heatbed Sheet after each use T / F

* Please read the KBA carefully as you need 10/10 to pass before being able to use the
printer. Good luck!

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