Agent-Skills.md

Agent Skills: Print-Prep Skill

>

UncategorizedID: adilkalam/orca/print-prep

Repository

adilkalam/orca
adilkalamLicense: MIT
2

Install this agent skill to your local

pnpm dlx add-skill https://github.com/adilkalam/orca/tree/HEAD/skills/print-prep

Skill Files

Browse the full folder contents for print-prep.

Download Skill

Loading file tree…

skills/print-prep/SKILL.md

Skill Metadata

Name
print-prep
Description
>

Print-Prep Skill

RULE: Never recommend a setting without explaining WHY and stating confidence level.

Hard Rules (Non-Negotiable)

  1. Never apply settings without explaining WHY and stating confidence level (Empirical / Research consensus / Inferred)
  2. Never recommend calibration values (K-value, flow rate, exact max volumetric speed) -- these MUST be calibrated per spool via Flow Dynamics and Flow Rate calibration
  3. Never assume two spools behave identically -- even same brand/color can vary in diameter, moisture, and additive ratio. Always note spool-specific variables.
  4. Never ignore model geometry when recommending speed/cooling -- a cylinder, a cube, and an organic sculpture respond differently to the same settings
  5. Never recommend Proto-Pasta Steel/Brass PLA on P2S -- brass nozzle + abrasive filament = nozzle destruction. X1C with Diamondback only.
  6. Always compute actual speed from max volumetric speed: 
    actual_speed = max_vol / (layer_height * line_width)
    Flag if actual speed falls in VFA zone (70-170 mm/s). Show the math.

MCP Tools Available

When working in the ~/3d-models project, Claude has direct access to bambu-3mf MCP tools for reading and writing 3MF files and presets.

Settings Tools (read/write 3MF files directly)

  • list_presets -- Scan ~/3D-Models/_presets/ for available filament and process presets
  • read_settings -- Extract print settings from a 3MF file or JSON preset. Returns project_settings and filament_settings.
  • apply_preset -- Merge a preset JSON into a 3MF file at a specific filament slot. Creates backup.
  • update_settings -- Surgical key-value override on a 3MF file. Creates backup.

Slicer Tools (require OrcaSlicer CLI)

  • slice_analyze -- Run OrcaSlicer on a 3MF to get real time/weight/cost estimates
  • slice_compare -- Compare multiple presets via actual slicing, get recommendation
  • slice_batch -- Calculate batch production metrics (time/cost for N units)
  • read_orca_config -- Read Orca_print.config XML metadata from 3MF (no CLI needed)

Tool Usage Rules

  • When recommending settings, OFFER to apply them directly via update_settings or apply_preset instead of only giving manual Bambu Studio UI instructions.
  • When the user asks "how long will this take" or "compare profiles", use slice_analyze / slice_compare for real data instead of guessing.
  • Before recommending changes, use read_settings to check current state first.
  • All write tools create .backup.3mf automatically -- safe to use.
  • 6 gcode keys are NEVER modified (machine_start_gcode, machine_end_gcode, layer_change_gcode, before_layer_change_gcode, change_filament_gcode, template_custom_gcode) -- the MCP enforces this.
  • If OrcaSlicer CLI is not available, slicer tools return helpful install instructions -- settings tools always work.

Pre-Flight Assessment

Before recommending ANY print settings, assess these six questions. Do not skip any.

  1. What filament? -- Determines base profile (silk, matte, standard, HTPLA, etc.)
  2. What filament condition? -- When was it last dried? How long in AMS? Moisture degrades all PLA types.
  3. What geometry? -- Overhangs (angle?), thin walls, tall/narrow, cylindrical, organic? Geometry changes cooling, wall order, and seam strategy.
  4. What goal? -- Speed, quality, balanced, display piece, functional/structural?
  5. What printer? -- P2S (brass nozzle, PMSM servo, adaptive airflow) vs X1C (Diamondback available, stepper extruder). Settings do NOT transfer between them.
  6. What changed since last successful print? -- New spool? Different model? Settings adjustment? Environment change?

If the user does not provide this information, ask for it. Do not guess.

Setting Interaction Web

Settings are coupled. Changing one without understanding the coupling produces failures. These are physical constraints, not preferences.

Temperature-Speed Coupling

Higher speed = less time in the melt zone = temperature must increase to compensate.

| Outer Wall Speed | Silk PLA Nozzle | Standard PLA Nozzle | Why | |------------------|-----------------|---------------------|-----| | 30-40 mm/s | 215-220C | 200-210C | Long dwell in melt zone | | 60-100 mm/s | 220-225C | 210-215C | Moderate dwell | | 200+ mm/s | 230-235C | 215-220C | Short dwell, needs more thermal energy |

If you change speed, flag that temperature may need adjustment. If you change temperature, note whether the speed profile is still compatible.

Nozzle material caveat: Brass (109 W/mK) is the P2S default. Diamondback (543 W/mK) delivers heat 4.7x more efficiently -- same speed works at 5-15C lower. Hardened steel (50 W/mK) needs 20-30C higher.

Cooling-Speed Coupling

Higher speed = less time between layers = cooling must increase.

For silk PLA: mica particles must be locked into reflective orientation by cooling. Insufficient cooling = matte patches.

| Outer Wall Speed | Silk PLA Fan | Standard/Matte PLA Fan | |------------------|--------------|------------------------| | 30-40 mm/s | 40-50% | 80-100% | | 200+ mm/s | 100% | 100% |

YouTube guides say 40% fan for silk because they assume 30-40mm/s. At 200mm/s on P2S, 100% constant fan is correct (Empirical).

Max Volumetric Speed -- The Real Speed Limiter

The slicer sets a requested speed, but the printer caps actual speed at the max volumetric limit:

actual_speed = min(requested_speed, max_vol / (layer_height * line_width))

Example of the VFA trap:

  • Requested: 200 mm/s outer wall
  • Max vol: 8 mm3/s
  • Layer: 0.16mm, Width: 0.45mm
  • Actual: 8 / (0.16 * 0.45) = 111 mm/s -- VFA zone (70-170 mm/s)

ALWAYS compute and show the actual speed. If it falls in VFA zone, say: "Your settings request Xmm/s but max volumetric limits actual speed to Ymm/s (VFA danger zone 70-170mm/s). Increase max vol to Zmm3/s to reach requested speed."

Infill/Wall Overlap -- Hidden Quality Killer for Silk

Silk PLA's mica particles amplify sub-surface infill patterns as visible shimmer disruption on outer walls. Discovered empirically.

| Filament Type | Safe Overlap | Why | |---------------|-------------|-----| | Silk/Glossy | 0-10% | Mica particles amplify sub-surface patterns. 25% default causes visible gyroid ghosting. | | Matte | 15-20% | Light-scattering surface hides infill ghosting | | Standard | 15-25% | Semi-glossy surface does not amplify patterns visibly |

For silk: default to 0% overlap. If user reports "wavy patterns on silk walls," infill overlap is the first diagnostic, not cooling or speed.

Tradeoff: Reducing overlap to 0% weakens infill-wall structural bond. Fine for decorative silk. Not acceptable for structural parts.

"Slow Down for Layer Cooling" -- The Print Time Bomb

When enabled, all moves slow to meet minimum layer time. Cascading effects:

  • Inner wall speed drops from 300mm/s to 15-20mm/s
  • Print time can explode (observed: 1hr to 5hr on a single model)
  • Speed variation on outer walls creates gloss banding on silk

For silk PLA on P2S: Disable entirely. The 100% constant fan handles cooling. For matte/standard: Can leave on, but expect longer prints on small models.

Sub-setting: "Don't slow outer walls" -- exempts outer walls from slowdown. Only visible when parent toggle is ON.

Wall Order -- Model-Dependent, Not Universal

| Wall Order | Best For | Avoid When | |------------|----------|------------| | Outer/Inner (outer first) | Silk display pieces, simple geometry, dimensional accuracy | Steep overhangs >60 degrees | | Inner/Outer (inner first, DEFAULT) | Complex geometry, steep overhangs, general purpose | Surface quality paramount on simple shapes |

Do NOT globally set wall order. Analyze model geometry first.

Scarf Seams -- Geometry-Dependent

  • Good for: cylindrical geometry, round features where seam visibility matters
  • Poor for: angular geometry (cubes, hexagons -- seam visible on flat faces)
  • Setting: Filament > Scarf Seam Type > Contour, Length 10mm

Calibration Gating

What Can Be Set From Knowledge

These values can be recommended based on the master reference:

  • Nozzle temperature range
  • Fan speed
  • Outer/inner wall speed
  • Max volumetric speed (starting point)
  • Layer height
  • Flow ratio (starting point)
  • Infill/wall overlap
  • Wall order
  • Seam strategy

What MUST Be Calibrated Per Spool

These values CANNOT be guessed. Recommend calibration, never a specific number:

  • K-value (pressure advance) -- Flow Dynamics calibration. Different per filament AND per nozzle.
  • Exact flow ratio -- Flow Rate calibration. Two spools of same filament can differ by 7%+.
  • Exact max volumetric speed -- Validation print at intended speed. Apply 8-10% safety margin.

When to Recalibrate

| Trigger | What to Recalibrate | |---------|---------------------| | New spool (even same brand/color) | Flow Dynamics, Flow Rate | | Changed nozzle | Everything | | Nozzle temp changed by >10C | Flow Dynamics | | New filament type (first time) | Full calibration | | Quality degraded on known-good profile | Check moisture first, then recalibrate Flow Rate |

Anti-Hallucination Guards

These Do NOT Exist in Bambu Studio -- Never Reference Them

  • There is NO "Settings > Filament > Import" menu path
  • There is NO "Preferences > Profiles" panel
  • There is NO "Profile Manager" window
  • There is NO drag-and-drop preset import
  • There is NO "Apply Profile" button in the toolbar
  • You CANNOT paste JSON settings into Bambu Studio directly
  • There is NO command palette or search for settings

Note: While Bambu Studio has no "Apply Profile" button, Claude can apply presets directly to 3MF files via the bambu-3mf MCP (apply_preset and update_settings tools). This is NOT a Bambu Studio UI feature -- it modifies the 3MF file which Bambu Studio then reads.

When Uncertain About a UI Element

  • Say "I'm not certain this menu path exists in your version of Bambu Studio -- please verify"
  • Never fabricate a UI flow. If you do not know the exact path, describe the SETTING KEY and VALUE and let the user find it.
  • Reference the master doc: ~/3D-Models/docs/bambu-studio-settings-master-reference.md

When to Apply This Skill

ALWAYS apply when:

  • User asks about 3D print settings for Bambu Studio
  • User asks about filament recommendations or comparisons
  • User is preparing a print (any filament, any printer)
  • User reports a print quality issue (use interaction web for diagnosis)

Scale the overhead:

  • Quick question ("what temp for silk?"): Answer from filament table in references/filament-data.md, note confidence level
  • Full print prep ("set up this model for silk on P2S"): Full pre-flight assessment, load references/filament-data.md for complete profiles
  • Troubleshooting ("wavy patterns on silk"): Use interaction web to diagnose

SKIP when:

  • Non-3D-printing work
  • OpenSCAD design work (different skill)
  • General CAD/modeling questions unrelated to print settings

Reference data: For filament profiles, Bambu Studio UX navigation, preset files, output format, pitfall catalog, and P2S hardware context, see skills/print-prep/references/filament-data.md. Load via Read tool when needed.