HOW TO: use the ALDI 3D printer

Which printer is it ? 

The Cocoon Create 3D printer, sold at ALDI stores(australia)  feburary 2016
printer value $500

How to Setup the 3D printer


Sadly due to the low pricepoint alot of manual setting up is requred.
Navigating the menues is done through the LCD using a dial. To make a selection in the menu push the dial inward.

Threading the line
The threading of line into this machine is a manual process, which can be difficult as the gaps in the head allow the line to thread out the back. You will need to turn on the machine and use the LCD interface to select the line feeder and prehead the print head and slowing turn the knob to feed the line through.
Each time you need to re-thread the line into the print head you should make sure the head is cleared.
To do this undo the lower screws of the left hand fan and carefully remove the heat sink which will expose the print head.. Push anything that is blocking the print head through while the print head is in preheat mode (215'c). Once clear now reassemble the print head.

Calibrate the print bed
This model does not auto calibrate. You will need to tighten or loosen the springs located at the four corners of the print bed.

1. Using the LCD screen select calibrate XY. Which will bring the print bed to the bottom left hand corner.
2. You can now tighten and loosen the screws/springs using an alan key. To test the tightness of the bed put a piece of paper between the print head and the bed. The paper should be gripped enough that it can be pulled out easily but not enough that pulls straight out.
3. This process needs to be repeated at all four corners of the print bed. 

NOTE: that if you move the printer you will need to recalibrate all of the above

How to Print an object 



This is the easy part, Insert the MICRO SD card supplied with the printer, and using the LCD screen select card --> then the file you wish to print. The file will need to be an STL(STereoLithography) .
The printing time will vary depending on the size of the object to be printed. The robot took approx 30mins and is 3.5cm tall. Larger objects can take 14hours or more depending on complexity and mass.

NOTE: the quality of the printing isnt perfect, it is a cheap printer after all