BALCO HE180021 Instruction Manual - page 28

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PREPARING TO PRINT A FILE

4.1 Creating a GCODE File

The Balco 3D Printer Touch prints 3D files in GCODE format. GCODE files provide essential 

movement and printer settings required to print your object. To prepare and convert your 3D file 

to GCODE format, you must use a ‘Slicer’ program such as Cura. Cura is a free open source slicer 

available for Windows and Mac platforms. Cura can convert various 3D file formats, such as STL 

files, into GCODE. Follow the steps below to download and install Cura.

4.2 Cura Setup

Install the Cura software on the included SD card or download the latest version of Cura from the 

link below:

https://ultimaker.com/en/products/cura-software/list 

You can learn how to install and use Cura from below link:

https://ultimaker.com/en/resources/16579-installation

After installing Cura, please add your Balco 3D Printer 

Touch to Cura:

1.  On first launch, Cura will ask you to add a 3D Printer 

Touch from the list provided. Alternatively, you can 

add the 3D Printer Touch by selecting Machine   

Machine Settings   Add New Machine

2.  Select Other

3.  Select Custom…

4.  Enter Machine name as ‘Balco 3D Printer Touch’, or your desired name

5.  Input Machine width and depth as 200

6.  Input Machine height as 180

7.  Change Nozzle size to 0.4mm

8.  Ensure Heated Print Bed is ticked

9.  Select Finish

4.3 Download the Latest Cura Profile

For optimal print settings, download the most up to date Balco 3D Printer Touch Cura Profile from 

balcolifestyle.com and import it into Cura. Note this is optimized for use with PLA.