PRINT INSTRUCTIONS - Caffeine (CAS 58-08-2) - ready-to-print release 2026-10-28, package r19
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No 3D-printing experience needed. Follow the steps in order.
Evidence tags in [ ] point to PRINT_METHODOLOGY.txt:
  [R] peer-reviewed literature   [M] printer/slicer maker documentation
  [P] practitioner reports       [Z] our own measurement on THIS file
  HYPOTHESIS = consistent with the sources, not yet confirmed by a physical
  print of this model. We update this file after test prints.


0. BEFORE YOU START - CHECK THESE 6 THINGS
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  [ ] Printer: FDM/FFF, nozzle 0.4 mm (not larger) [P 19]
  [ ] Build plate at least 125 mm x 125 mm (base 100 mm + 5 mm brim + 6 mm skirt
      on each side), build height at least 90 mm
  [ ] Filament: plain PLA, 1.75 mm, DRY, about 85-87 g (one colour is enough)
  [ ] Time (slicer estimates) [Z]: 3MF profile about 9h 52m 2s;
      ready G-code: Original Prusa MK4 8h 19m 5s; Original Prusa MINI/MINI+ 10h 6m 59s; Creality Ender-3 S1 11h 51m 30s
  [ ] Heated bed recommended (60 C) - our profile value [Z]
  [ ] Bed clean (PEI sheet: warm water + dish soap) and first layer calibrated


1. SIZE AND SCALE - DO NOT CHANGE
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  Print at 100 %. Units: millimetres. Do not scale, do not rotate.
  The model size is fixed by the molecule:
    1 angstrom (1 A = 0.1 nm) of the real molecule = 10.60 mm in the model,
    so the molecule is about 106 million times larger than real life.
    Base: diameter 100 mm, height 20 mm (21.4 mm with the raised logo).
    Whole model: 100 x 100 x 84 mm (width x depth x height).
  Why not scale: the pencils, cups and supports are designed for this exact
  size. Smaller = letters on the spheres and the pencil tops become thinner
  than the nozzle can print; larger = the molecule overhangs the base [Z].


2. THE FASTEST WAY (3MF project, recommended)
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  The file molgod_caffeine_58-08-2_R3-ready-to-print_g2026-10-28_r19_3MF-project_supports-generated-when-sliced.3mf contains the model AND our slicer settings.
  PrusaSlicer 2.6 or newer:
    1. File > Open Project (Ctrl+O) > choose molgod_caffeine_58-08-2_R3-ready-to-print_g2026-10-28_r19_3MF-project_supports-generated-when-sliced.3mf
       (or drag it into the window; if asked "load the configuration from the
       project?" answer YES).
    2. Printer tab (top right): choose YOUR printer.
       Keep the print and filament settings from the project. If the slicer
       asks what to do with the project's changed settings, keep (transfer)
       them - they are this model's settings.
       Then press A (Arrange) so the model sits in the middle of YOUR bed.
    3. Check the settings in section 4 (one minute). Click "Slice now".
    4. Look at the preview (section 5), then export G-code and print.
  OrcaSlicer / Bambu Studio: File > Import > molgod_caffeine_58-08-2_R3-ready-to-print_g2026-10-28_r19_3MF-project_supports-generated-when-sliced.3mf, keep project
    settings, choose your printer, then check section 4 by hand - these
    slicers read the model but not every PrusaSlicer setting.
  Cura: use the STL (advanced_no-supports/molgod_caffeine_58-08-2_R3-ready-to-print_g2026-10-28_NO-SUPPORTS_add-supports-in-slicer.stl) and set section 4 by hand.
  Any other slicer - supports: organic/tree, "on build plate only" OFF
  (every tree then starts on the base; Cura: Support Placement = Everywhere).

  Ready G-code (no slicer needed): folder gcode/ - see gcode/README_GCODE.txt.
  Use it ONLY if your printer is exactly the one in the file name.


3. ORIENTATION
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  As supplied: base flat on the bed (QR code side down), molecule up.
  The front of the base (name and CAS) faces you; the raised MolGod logo is
  on top of the base. Do not lay the model on its side.


4. SETTINGS (all in the 3MF already; check them if you set up by hand)
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  Setting                         Value          Why
  -----------------------------   ------------   ---------------------------
  Layer height                    0.2 mm         letters stay readable [Z]
  Perimeters (walls)              3              strong pencils [Z]
  Infill                          15 %           enough for the base [Z]
  Temperatures, 3MF profile       215 C first layer, then 210 C; bed 60 C   PLA start point [Z], HYPOTHESIS
  Temperatures, ready G-code      210 C first layer, then 205 C; bed 60 C   from each file's header
  First layer speed               20 mm/s        adhesion [Z]
  Supports                        ON, organic (tree), automatic,
                                  "on build plate only" OFF       [M 8][Z]
  Support tip diameter            0.4 mm         small marks after removal [Z]
  Do not support bridges          ON             no trees under letters [Z]
  Brim                            5 mm           round base edge stays down [P 12]
  Part cooling fan                35-100 %, on from layer 4  thin tops cool [M 6][P 15]
  Slow down if layer < 15 s       ON, 15 s       tops do not curl [P 15][P 16]
  Z-hop (lift Z) on retraction    0.4 mm         nozzle does not hit pencils [M 7][P 17]
  Acceleration                    1000 (walls 800) mm/s2  less wobble [P 16][P 18]
  Outer wall speed                20 mm/s        clean spheres [Z]
  Small perimeters                15 mm/s        small spheres and letters [Z]
  Elephant foot compensation      0.15 mm        sharp base edge [Z]
  Full list: slicer_profile.ini (PrusaSlicer 2.8.1 format).


5. CHECK THE PREVIEW BEFORE PRINTING (2 minutes)
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  In the slicer preview you should see (picture: REMOVE_KEEP.png):
    - the molecule standing on 11 vertical hexagonal pencils, each
      ending in a small cup under an atom ............ PART OF THE MODEL, KEEP
    - thin organic "tree" supports from the base up to the undersides of the
      spheres ............................................ REMOVE after printing
    - nothing standing on the bed outside the round base (except the brim)
  If you see supports on the bed beside the base, or "floating" warnings:
  the settings differ from section 4 - load the 3MF again.


6. DURING THE PRINT
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  - Watch the first layer (2-3 minutes): lines must be flat and stuck.
    If the base edge lifts: stop, clean the bed, re-level, print again [P 12].
  - The upper part (above 21 mm) prints slowly by design: many small circles,
    each layer must cool. This is normal [P 15][P 16].
  - Do not touch the model until the bed has cooled (PLA lets go when cool).


7. AFTER THE PRINT - WHAT TO REMOVE AND WHAT TO KEEP
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  KEEP: the 11 hexagonal pencils and their cups - they carry the
        molecule. Removing them while the model is on its base drops the molecule
        (optional exception, at the very end: step 7b).
  REMOVE: the thin tree supports (they look like branches).
  How:
    1. Let the model cool completely.
    2. Start from the top. Use small flush cutters (side cutters) or tweezers.
    3. Cut the branch close to the sphere; hold the bond or the sphere you are
       working on, never pull the whole molecule.
    4. Be gentle near the smallest spheres (hydrogen) - they break most easily [P 20].
    5. Branches standing on the logo: cut at the logo surface; a tiny mark may
       remain on the logo (expected) [Z].
    5a. On some spheres a branch touches the sphere close to an engraved letter
       (our slicer simulation shows where) [Z]. Cut such a branch
       flat against the sphere and leave the last whisker; then shave it off
       with the knife blade held flat, moving AWAY from the letter, so the
       letter edges stay sharp.
    6. Clean small whiskers with a hobby knife, cutting AWAY from your hand.
  Adults only for knife work; pupils may remove branches with tweezers.

7b. OPTIONAL - A FREE MOLECULE TO HOLD AND TURN (HYPOTHESIS, not yet printed)
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  Only after ALL tree supports are gone (step 7). This removes the base.
    1. Find the thin neck of each pencil: about 2 mm (design 1.8 mm,
       measured 1.98 mm), just under the small cup that joins the sphere [Z].
    2. Hold the sphere (not the molecule) and cut the neck with flush cutters,
       one pencil at a time; lowest atoms first, hydrogens last and gently.
    3. A small cone (the cup) stays under the sphere: shave it with a hobby
       knife held flat and sand it smooth (400-600 grit).
    4. The bonds are about 2 mm thick [Z]: never bend or twist the molecule.
  Please send photos of this step too - it is not yet confirmed by our own print.


8. DO NOT
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  scale or rotate the model - remove the pencils before all supports are
  gone (optional step 7b comes last) - turn the part
  cooling fan off - use fewer than 3 perimeters - use a nozzle larger than
  0.4 mm - use "PLA+"/tough blends (supports tear instead of breaking) [P 14].


9. IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG
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  Problem                         Fix
  Base edge lifts                 clean bed, 5 mm brim, re-level, 60 C bed [P 12]
  Pencil tops wobble or curl      fan 100 %, min. layer time 15 s, lower
                                  acceleration [P 15][P 16]
  Strings between atoms           dry the filament, 5 C lower, check retraction [M 7]
  Letters on spheres unreadable   0.4 mm nozzle, 0.2 mm layers, slower outer walls [P 19]
  Nozzle knocks a pencil over     z-hop 0.4 mm, lower acceleration [M 7][P 17]
  Sphere broke with a support     cut instead of pulling; glue with a drop of
                                  cyanoacrylate (adult)


10. LIMITS OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS (boundary conditions)
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  VERIFIED on this exact file [Z]: geometry checks, and slicer simulation in
  PrusaSlicer 2.8.1 with slicer_profile.ini - nothing floating, 0 regions
  printed in mid-air in the molecule, all supports on the base, heating
  before the first layer, the raised logo printed (B0 PASS, B1 PASS, B2 PASS, B3 PASS, B4 PASS).
  NOT YET VERIFIED: a physical print of this release; other slicers; printers
  other than those listed in gcode/README_GCODE.txt; materials other than PLA.
  Printer profiles sliced and checked (simulation only): Original Prusa MK4 (0.4 nozzle, Generic PLA), Original Prusa MINI/MINI+ (Generic PLA), Creality Ender-3 S1 (0.4 nozzle, Generic PLA).
  Please report your print (printer, settings, photo) with FEEDBACK_FORM.html -
  each report turns a HYPOTHESIS into a tested value.
