TKI Kossel Model A Manuale utente
Kossel Model A User Manual Page 1
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................................................2
Contact TKI........................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Printer Features & Definitions .............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Software Parameter Setup ...................................................................................................................................................................8
Setting Up A Printer Profile in Cura ..................................................................................................................................................8
Printing Settings.............................................................................................................................................................................13
Printing Setting Definitions............................................................................................................................................................. 13
Generating G-code using Cura............................................................................................................................................................ 19
Step-by-Step Process...................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Printing from an SD Card ....................................................................................................................................................................21
Step-by-step Process......................................................................................................................................................................21
Printer Operation ............................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Changing Filament ......................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Belt Tensioning ..............................................................................................................................................................................23
Bed Preparation ............................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Bed Leveling................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Maintenance ......................................................................................................................................................................................26
Check Belt Tension.........................................................................................................................................................................26
Check Printer Bed Level..................................................................................................................................................................26
TroubleShooting.................................................................................................................................................................................26
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INTRODUCTION
Congratulations! If you are looking over this manual it means that you are the proud owner of a TKI Kossel Model A 3D printer,
which is a powerful tool that can help you unleash your creative spirt.
We know the frustrating, non-existent support that typically comes with a 3D printer. Turn Key Innovations, or TKI, was created with
the idea that everyone should have access to 3D printing and be fully supported in making ideas come to life. This User Manual was
assembled to provide guidance in understanding common procedures while using our 3D printer. It covers everything from the basic
setup you’ll need to get started to the maintenance required to keep your printer performing like new.
We look forward to helping you succeed in the exciting world of 3D printing and giving you everything you need to unlock your
innovation.
Reliably yours,
Rob and Jordan
CONTACT TKI
We understand that manual only covers the basics of your TKI printer, so if at any time you need more assistance, visit our support
page atwww.tki3d.com/support to send us a message or give us a call at 305-928-5433 and we will be happy to address your
question or concern.
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PRINTER FEATURES & DEFINITIONS
The figure below shows the features of the TKI Kossel Model A printer. You can reference this graphic for clarification of printer parts
mentioned in this manual.
Extruder
Printer
Bed
Gantry
(Hotend & Nozzle)
Bowden
Tube
Filament
Spool
LCD Screen
Power Switch
and Jack
Tower
Carriage
SD Card
Slot
Selection
Knob
Stop
Button
Belt
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Extruder
The extruder pushes the filament from the spool into the hotend of the gantry. Components of the extruder:
Drive Gear (Red), feeds the filament to the hotend
Extruder Lever (Blue), applies force so the drive gear can grip the filament
Bowden Tube quick disconnect (Green), attaches the Bowden Tube to the Extruder.
Bowden Tube
The Bowden Tube is the small tube that runs from the extruder to the hotend.
Nozzle
The nozzle is the brass fitting below the heater block that the plastic extrudes from.
Hotend
The hotend melts the filament as it gets pushed through the Bowden Tube by the Extruder. It is comprised of the following
parts:
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SD Card Slot
The SD card slot at the front of the printer allows you to insert an SD card to run the machine code and print without connecting
to a computer.
X, Y, Z Towers
Looking at the front of the printer (facing the LCD screen), the left tower is the X, the right tower is the Y, and the back tower is
the Z. These designations are used when leveling the bed and during troubleshooting procedures.
Carriage
There is a carriage located on each linear rail which is attached to each tower. The cumulative position of each of the three
carriages determines the position of the gantry. Attached to the carriage are the connection rods that support the gantry.
Gantry
The gantry is the hotend and its components. It is connected to the three carriages by the connection rods.
Heat Sink
Hotend Fan
Throat
Thermistor
Heater Core
Heater Block
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Power Switch
The power switch controls the power of the printer and is located on the right side of the machine. If the printer is connected to
a computer, then the LCD screen will be on, but the stepper motors and hotend will be off unless you use the power switch.
Power Jack
The power jack is where the power supply plugs into on the right side of the printer.
LCD Screen
The LCD screen is the user interface that controls the printer. To the right of the LCD screen is a speaker (top), control knob
(center), and emergency stop button (bottom). Press in the control knob to select a function or rotate it to scroll through the
menu options. If the stop button is pressed the machine must be power cycled for functionality to return.
Info Screen: The info screen is the home screen display for the LCD screen.
Main Menu: Press in on the control knob from the info screen to navigate to the Main Menu.
Info Screen –Returns to the home screen
Prepare –Option to setup a print (preheat hotend, auto home, cool down, etc)
Control –Change printer firmware settings (temperature, motion, and restore failsafe)
Print From SD –Select a file to be printed
Feed Rate %,
Print Completion %,
Elapsed Time
Hotend Temperature
and Target
X, Y, Z
Position
Machine
Status
Speaker
Control Knob
Stop Button
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Prepare: You can reach this from the Main Menu. The two common features that will be used on this screen are:
Auto Home –Zeros the machine and returns the gantry to the home position
Preheat PLA –Sets the hotend temperature to 200 °C
Bed Leveling Screws
The bed leveling screws are used to level the printer bed. The three bed leveling screws are located near the bottom of each tower.
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SOFTWARE PARAMETER SETUP
TKI recommends using Cura Software as the G-code generation software. G-code is a commonly used numerical control programing
language used to control the position, speed, and path of the 3D printer. A link to the Cura software and other resources are found
at our website at www.tki3d.com/resources.
Note: While TKI recommends using Cura for slicing and G-code generation, other slicing software can be used. The printer
parameters detailed below are a recommended for optimum performance of a TKI printer, which can be used for other software.
The printer setup for Cura will only need to be completed once.
SETTING UP A PRINTER PROFILE IN CURA
1. Download and install Cura at https://software.ultimaker.com/
2. Launch the Cura program from your computer’s start menu or desktop icon
3. To setup your printer, select Machine > Add new Machine
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4. Click Next on the Configuration Wizard.
5. Under “Select your machine,” choose Other (Ex: RepRap, MakerBot, Witbox). Then click Next.
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