Your First 3-D Print

First Print Workflow — The Benchy

This guide walks you through your first 3D print using the 3DBenchy model. The goal is not just to complete a print, but to understand the process well enough to repeat it independently. The Benchy is widely considered to be the one of the most recognizable 3D prints and– aside from being a great, simple introductory print, is a great tool for printer calibration and testing (Benchy = Benchmark)

To learn more about a specific operation or piece of equipment, please click on the hyperlinks available in this document for further information!

You are encouraged to explore, adjust settings, and reflect on outcomes- explore how modifications in number of walls, infill density and specific profiles effect print time, material usage and part strength!

The 3D Printing Workflow

  1. Prepare a 3D model (STL)
  2. Process the model in a slicer
  3. Transfer the file to a printer
  4. Set up and run the machine
  5. Evaluate the finished print

Welcome to the Maker Vault at the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center! This guide is designed to take you through your very first project—the iconic 3D Benchy—from downloading the file to preparing it for a successful print.

Phase 1: Obtaining the 3D Model

The first step in any 3D print is obtaining a digital file, typically in STL format.

  1. Download the File: Navigate to the official 3D Benchy page on Printables.
  2. Select the STL: Under the “Files” tab, find Benchy.stl and download it to your computer.
  3. Organize Your Files: Save your STL in a dedicated folder so it is easy to find when you open your slicing software.

Phase 2: Digital Preparation (Slicing)

Slicing is the process of converting your 3D model into G-code, the machine language your printer understands. In the Maker Vault, we primarily use two high-performance slicers:

1. Open Your Slicer

  • Choose OrcaSlicer if you are working with the Prusa, Elegoo Centauris, Ender 3/CR-10s or Creality K1.
  • Choose Bambu Studio if you are using our Bambu Lab printers.

2. Import and Position the Model

  • Import: You can simply drag and drop the Benchy.stl file directly onto the virtual build plate.
  • Check Orientation: Use the Lay on Face tool to ensure the bottom of the Benchy is perfectly flat against the bed.
  • Center the Model: Right-click the model and select “Center” to ensure it prints in the middle of the plate.

3. Select the Correct Printer Profile

This is the most critical step in slicing. Profiles define the specific movement limits and temperatures for each machine.

4. Configure Core Settings for the Benchy

For your first print, use these recommended settings to balance speed and quality:

  • Material: Select PLA (Standard PLA usually prints at ~200°C nozzle and ~60°C bed).
  • Layer Height: Set this to 0.2 mm for a standard balance of detail and speed.
  • Infill: Use 10–15% with a “Grid” or “Gyroid” pattern.
  • Supports: For a Benchy, turn supports OFF, as it is designed to test your printer’s ability to bridge gaps without them.

Phase 3: Slice and Preview

Click the “Slice” button to generate your G-code. Before sending it to the printer, perform a quick “Pre-Flight” check in the Preview Tab:

  1. Monitor the First Layer: Use the vertical slider to move down to the very first layer. It should look like a solid, continuous footprint with no gaps.
  2. Check for “Floating Islands”: Scrub through the layers to ensure no part of the model starts printing in mid-air.
  3. Evaluate Print Time: Slicers provide an estimated time; a standard 0.2 mm Benchy usually takes about 1 to 2 hours depending on the machine.

Phase 4: Sending to the Machine

Once you are satisfied with the preview, you must transfer the file to the physical printer.

  • Bambu Lab Printers: Use the “Send” or “Print” button to transfer the file via Wi-Fi.
  • Prusa XL: You can send files via Wi-Fi (Prusa Connect) or use a USB drive.
  • Centauri Carbon 1 & 2: Send the file via Wi-Fi through the device’s IP address or use a USB flash drive.
  • Creality Ender 3: Save the G-code to an SD card and physically insert it into the front slot of the printer.

Phase 5: Preparing the Hardware

Before you hit “Start,” ensure the printer is ready for action:

  • Bed Cleanliness: Clean the build plate with isopropyl alcohol or ask staff to clean withwarm soapy water to ensure the plastic sticks.
  • Filament Check: Ensure you have enough PLA loaded for the project. If you need to change colors, follow the Loading and Unloading Guide for your specific machine:
    • **Bambu Lab (with AMS)**: Simply insert the filament into the slot until the motor grabs it. Otherwise, follow manual loading prompt under filament menu.  (AMS – Automatic Material System)
    • Centauri Carbon: Use the touchscreen menu Extruder > Load.
    • Creality Ender 3: Heat the nozzle to 200°C, cut the filament at a 45-degree angle, and manually feed it through the extruder arm.
    • Prusa XL: Follow the prompts on the Nextruder touchscreen to load filament into the selected toolhead.

Final Tip for Success

Stay with your printer for the first three minutes. If the first layer doesn’t stick perfectly (with a slight “squish” against the bed), stop the print, clean the bed, and try again. Successful 3D printing is as much about observation as it is about software!

MakerVault Learning Philosophy

The goal is not just to produce a successful print.

It is to understand:

  • Why the print worked
  • Why it might fail
  • How to adjust and improve

Every machine behaves differently.
Every print teaches something new

For further, more in-depth reading, Prusa Research provides an excellent breakdown on the basics of 3D printing which you can find here: Prusa Research: Basics-of-3D-Printing