Category: Configuration

As the climate shifts to colder temperatures, it’s crucial for 3D printing enthusiasts to understand how this change impacts printing parameters, particularly retraction settings. Retraction, a key factor in preventing stringing and oozing, can behave differently in colder environments. Let’s dive into how you can adjust your retraction settings for optimal printing during the colder months.

Understanding Retraction: Retraction is the process where the printer pulls back the filament during travel moves to prevent unwanted stringing or oozing. The efficiency of retraction can be influenced by ambient temperature.

Effects of Cold Weather:

  1. Filament Temperature Dynamics:
    • Cold weather can cause the filament to cool down more rapidly, affecting its viscosity. This change might require tweaking the retraction speed and distance to compensate for the altered flow properties.
  2. Printer’s Heat Management:
    • In colder conditions, your printer may struggle to maintain consistent temperatures, leading to fluctuations that impact retraction effectiveness.

Adjusting Retraction Settings:

  1. Increase Retraction Distance:
    • If you notice more stringing in cold weather, a slight increase in retraction distance might help. Be cautious not to over-retract, as this can lead to clogs.
  2. Modifying Retraction Speed:
    • A colder environment might require adjusting the retraction speed. A slower retraction speed can allow for a more consistent filament control, reducing the likelihood of issues like oozing.
  3. Temperature Calibration:
    • Consider slightly increasing the nozzle and bed temperatures to counteract the ambient cold. This helps maintain a stable printing environment.

Environmental Control:

  1. Enclosure Use:
    • Using an enclosure can mitigate the impact of cold weather. It helps maintain a consistent temperature around the printer, reducing the need for drastic retraction setting adjustments.
  2. Humidity Considerations:
    • Colder weather often comes with changes in humidity, which can affect filament properties. Keep your filaments dry and stored properly.

Adapting to the colder climate by fine-tuning your 3D printer’s retraction settings can significantly improve your printing results. Pay attention to the temperature and humidity, and don’t hesitate to experiment with retraction settings to find what works best in your specific environment.

At some point, you will get a clogged nozzle. This can affect the quality of your prints and cause frustration. But how do you decide if it’s better to purchase a new 3D printer nozzle or clean the one that you have?

The first factor to consider is the cost of a new nozzle versus the cost of cleaning supplies. Depending on the type and size of your nozzle, you may find that buying a new one is cheaper than buying the tools and materials needed to clean it. For example, some nozzles require special solvents or heating devices to dissolve the clogged material. However, if you already have the cleaning supplies or you can find them at a low price, then cleaning your nozzle may be more economical.

The second factor to consider is the time and effort involved in cleaning your nozzle. Cleaning a nozzle can be a tedious and time-consuming process, especially if the clog is severe or hard to reach. You may need to disassemble your printer, soak your nozzle in a solvent, use a needle or a wire to poke out the clog, or even heat up your nozzle to melt the material. This can take hours or even days, depending on the severity of the clog and the method you use. On the other hand, buying a new nozzle can save you a lot of time and hassle, as you can simply replace your old one with a new one and resume printing.

The third factor to consider is the quality and performance of your nozzle. Cleaning your nozzle may not always restore it to its original condition, especially if it has been damaged by wear and tear, corrosion, or overheating. A damaged nozzle can affect the accuracy, precision, and smoothness of your prints, as well as increase the risk of future clogs. Buying a new nozzle can ensure that you get the best possible results from your 3D printer, as well as extend its lifespan.

In conclusion, deciding whether to purchase a new 3D printer nozzle or clean the one that you have depends on several factors, such as cost, time, effort, and quality. You should weigh these factors carefully and choose the option that suits your needs and preferences best. Happy printing!

Have you ever encountered the problem of gaps in your printed layers? This can affect the quality and strength of your prints, and make them look less appealing. What causes this issue and how can you fix it?

One possible reason for gaps in 3D printed layers is a low nozzle temperature. If the nozzle is not hot enough, the filament may not melt properly and flow smoothly. This can result in inconsistent extrusion and poor layer adhesion. To solve this problem, you can try increasing the nozzle temperature by 5-10 degrees Celsius and see if it makes a difference. You can also check if your nozzle is clogged or worn out, and clean or replace it if necessary.

Another possible reason for gaps in 3D printed layers is a high printing speed. If you print too fast, the filament may not have enough time to bond with the previous layer and form a solid structure. This can result in weak and brittle prints with visible gaps. To solve this problem, you can try decreasing the printing speed by 10-20 percent and see if it improves the quality of your prints. You can also check if your printer is properly calibrated and has no mechanical issues that could affect its performance.

By adjusting the nozzle temperature and printing speed, you may be able to eliminate the gaps in your 3D printed layers and achieve better results. However, keep in mind that these are not the only factors that can affect your prints. You should also consider the type and quality of your filament, the bed temperature and adhesion, the cooling fan settings, the layer height and width, and other parameters that may vary depending on your printer model and software. Experiment with different settings until you find the optimal combination for your project.

When considering the purchase of a new 3D printer, here are some important features to consider:

  1. Print Quality: Look at the resolution in microns; the lower the number, the higher the resolution. Good print quality is essential for detailed models.
  2. Print Speed: Higher speed can mean faster production times, but it may also affect the quality of the print.
  3. Build Volume: The size of the print bed determines the maximum size of the objects you can print.
  4. Materials Supported: Ensure the printer supports the types of materials you plan to use. Common materials include PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, etc.
  5. Type of Printer: The two main types are FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and SLA (Stereolithography). FDM printers are generally more common and use a filament, while SLA printers use a resin and often provide higher detail.
  6. Bed Leveling: Automatic bed leveling can save time and effort, making the printing process easier, especially for beginners.
  7. Connectivity: Options like USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet can make it easier to send designs to your printer.
  8. Software: Compatible software is important for preparing your 3D models for printing. Some printers come with proprietary software, while others might use open-source solutions.
  9. Ease of Use: Look for features like touch-screen interfaces, easy assembly, and user-friendly design.
  10. Reliability: Read reviews to learn about the printer’s reliability and durability over time.
  11. Customer Support and Community: Good customer support can be crucial for troubleshooting. A strong user community can also provide tips and help.
  12. Price: Ensure that the printer offers a good balance of features for its price.
  13. Safety Features: Features like enclosed print areas and automatic shutdown can be important, especially in homes with pets or children.
  14. Upgradability: Check if the printer can be upgraded with improved parts or new features in the future.

If you have just purchased a 3D printer, congratulations! You are about to enter a world of creativity and innovation. However, before you start printing your own designs, there are some things you should know to make the most of your 3D printer. Here are the top 5 things you should know:

  1. Choose the right filament. Filament is the material that your 3D printer uses to create objects. There are different types of filament, such as PLA, ABS, PETG, and more. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as strength, flexibility, durability, and temperature resistance. You should research the best filament for your 3D printer and your project before buying it.
  2. Level the bed. The bed is the surface where your 3D printer builds the object layer by layer. It is important to level the bed so that the first layer of your print sticks well and is even. If the bed is not level, your print may warp, curl, or fail. You can use a piece of paper or a digital sensor to check if the bed is level and adjust it accordingly.
  3. Calibrate the extruder. The extruder is the part of your 3D printer that pushes the filament through a nozzle and melts it. It is important to calibrate the extruder so that it extrudes the right amount of filament for your print. If the extruder is not calibrated, your print may be under-extruded or over-extruded, which can affect the quality and accuracy of your print. You can use a caliper or a ruler to measure the extruded filament and adjust the extruder settings.
  4. Optimize the slicer settings. The slicer is the software that converts your 3D model into instructions for your 3D printer. It allows you to customize various settings, such as layer height, infill density, print speed, and more. These settings can affect the quality, strength, and appearance of your print. You should experiment with different slicer settings to find the optimal ones for your 3D printer and your project.
  5. Maintain your 3D printer. Like any machine, your 3D printer needs regular maintenance to keep it in good condition and prevent problems. You should clean the nozzle, the bed, and the fans regularly to remove any dust or debris that may clog them. You should also lubricate the rods, belts, and bearings to reduce friction and noise. You should also check for any loose screws or wires and tighten or replace them if needed.

If you are thinking of buying a new 3D printer, you might be tempted to also buy some upgrades for it right away. After all, who doesn’t want to improve their printing quality, speed, and reliability? However, this might not be the best idea for several reasons.

Upgrading your 3D printer without testing it first can cause more problems than it solves. You might end up with incompatible parts, faulty installation, or unexpected results. For example, if you buy a new extruder without checking the compatibility with your printer model, you might find out that it doesn’t fit or that it requires a different firmware. Or if you install a new nozzle without calibrating it properly, you might get clogged prints or poor adhesion. These issues can be frustrating and time-consuming to fix, and they can also damage your printer or your prints.

Secondly, upgrading your 3D printer without knowing its strengths and weaknesses can waste your money and resources. You might buy upgrades that you don’t really need or that don’t make a significant difference.

Thirdly, upgrading your 3D printer without learning how to use it first can limit your creativity and skills. You might rely too much on the upgrades and not enough on your own knowledge and experience. For example, if you buy a new slicer software without learning the basic settings of your printer, you might not be able to customize your prints or troubleshoot them. Or if you buy a new filament without learning how to store and handle it properly, you might not be able to print with different colors or materials. These upgrades can be helpful and convenient, but they can also prevent you from exploring the full potential of your printer and yourself.

So what should you do instead of buying upgrades for your new 3D printer? Here are some suggestions:

  • Test your printer thoroughly before upgrading it. Make sure it works well and that you understand how it operates. Try printing different models with different settings and see how they turn out. Identify any problems or limitations that you encounter and look for solutions online or in the user manual.
  • Learn from other users before upgrading your printer. Join online communities and forums where you can ask questions and share tips with other 3D printing enthusiasts. Read reviews and watch videos of the upgrades that you are interested in and see how they perform on different printers and prints. Compare the pros and cons of each upgrade and decide if they are worth it for you.
  • Experiment with your printer before upgrading it. Try printing with different filaments, temperatures, speeds, and layer heights. See how these factors affect your print quality and performance. Adjust your slicer settings and see how they change your print results. Modify your models and see how they look on your printer. Have fun and be creative with your printer.
  • Upgrade to solve a specific problem after you have used your printer for some time.

Yesterday I posted about what can happen if your printing speed is too low. You basically end up with a big, oozy mess. Today I wanted to talk about what happens if your printing speed is too high.

What happens to the filament inside the nozzle?

The filament inside the nozzle is melted by the heat of the extruder, and then pushed out through a small opening at the tip of the nozzle. The nozzle acts like a valve that controls the flow and direction of the molten filament. The filament needs to be hot enough to flow smoothly, but not too hot to burn or degrade. The temperature of the filament also affects its viscosity, or how thick or thin it is. A higher viscosity means a thicker filament that is harder to push out, while a lower viscosity means a thinner filament that is easier to push out.

When you print at high speeds, you are asking the extruder to push out more filament in less time. This means that the filament has less time to melt and reach the optimal temperature and viscosity for extrusion. As a result, the filament may not flow properly, and may stick to the nozzle instead of adhering to the print bed or the previous layer. This can cause several problems, such as:

  • Filament curling: This is when the filament curls up around the nozzle instead of laying flat on the print bed or the previous layer. This can happen when the nozzle is too close to the bed or the layer, or when the bed or layer is not hot enough to keep the filament from cooling too quickly. Curling can lead to poor adhesion, stringing, blobs, and clogs.
  • Filament oozing: This is when the filament leaks out of the nozzle when it is not supposed to, such as during travel moves or retraction. This can happen when the nozzle is too hot, or when the retraction settings are not optimal. Oozing can lead to stringing, blobs, and poor surface quality.
  • Filament jamming: This is when the filament gets stuck inside the nozzle and prevents further extrusion. This can happen when the nozzle is too cold, or when there is dust

The solution to a lot of problems is to slow down your print speed. But, is there such a thing as too slow (spoiler alert, yes there is)?

If you think about what’s happening inside the nozzle, it makes sense. You are melting some plastic and pushing it through an orifice (the nozzle). If your speed is too high, you end up trying to push unmelted plastic. That’s a problem too, but the subject for a different post. This post is about the other extreme. When your temperature is high and your speed is low, the filament sits in the chamber for a long time.

However, if you raise your 3d printer temperature too high and go too slow, you are likely to encounter several issues. Some of them are:

  • Overheating: Printing with too high temperature can cause the filament to overheat and degrade. This can lead to clogging, jamming, or nozzle damage. It can also affect the color and appearance of the filament, making it darker or duller. Overheating can also cause thermal runaway, which is a dangerous situation where the temperature sensor fails and the heater keeps heating up uncontrollably.
  • Oozing: Printing with too high temperature and too slow speed can cause the filament to ooze out of the nozzle when it is not supposed to. This can create blobs, strings, or zits on the surface of your print, ruining its aesthetics and accuracy. Oozing can also waste filament and make it harder to clean your nozzle.
  • Warping: Printing with too high temperature and too slow speed can cause the filament to cool down unevenly on the print bed. This can create internal stresses that make the print warp or curl up at the edges or corners. Warping can affect the dimensional accuracy and stability of your print, as well as its adhesion to the print bed.
  • Cracking: Printing with too high temperature and too slow speed can cause the filament to shrink more than usual as it cools down. This can create gaps or cracks between the layers or within the walls of your print. Cracking can compromise the strength and durability of your print, as well as its appearance.
  • Jamming: Your filament is melted. When the gcode performs a retract function, it pulls melted plastic backwards, which subsequently starts to cool. It doesn’t take long for it to solidify enough to cause problems and will often get stuck.

The solution is often simple. You can either increase your speed or decrease your temperature.

You might be wondering what kind of surface you should use to print your models. You have a few different options, although some are more common than others.

Glass Bed

A glass bed is a smooth and rigid surface that can provide a flat and even base for your prints. Glass beds are usually made of borosilicate glass, which can withstand high temperatures and thermal shocks.

Advantages:

  • It can produce a glossy finish on the bottom layer of your prints.
  • It is easy to clean and maintain.
  • It is durable and resistant to scratches and warping.

Disadvantages:

  • It can be heavy and fragile, requiring careful handling and installation.
  • It can have poor adhesion with some materials, especially PLA, requiring the use of an additional compound or adhesive layer.
  • It can take longer to heat up and cool down, increasing the printing time and energy consumption.

Some of the common compounds or adhesive layers that can be used with a glass bed are:

  • Blue painter’s tape: Cheap and easy. Provides good adhesion for PLA and other low-temperature materials. Can leave residue on the print surface and need frequent replacement.
  • Glue stick: Simple, effective, and readily available
  • Hairspray: A popular option that can create a sticky coating on the glass bed. However, it can also be messy and affect the air quality in the printing area.
  • Magigoo: A specially formulated glue that can provide strong adhesion when hot and release the print when cold. However, it can be expensive and hard to find.

BuildTak

BuildTak is a thin and flexible plastic sheet that can be attached to the print bed with an adhesive backing. BuildTak is designed to offer a textured and durable surface that can work with a variety of materials.

Advantages:

  • It can provide excellent adhesion for most materials, reducing the risk of warping and curling.
  • It can produce a smooth and matte finish on the bottom layer of your prints.
  • It can last for a long time and withstand multiple prints.

Disadvantages:

  • It can be difficult to remove prints from the surface, requiring the use of a spatula or a scraper.
  • It can be damaged by sharp or abrasive tools, requiring careful handling and removal.
  • It can be expensive and hard to apply without bubbles or wrinkles.

PEI Sheet

PEI (Polyetherimide) is a thermoplastic polymer that can offer a smooth and glossy surface for your prints. PEI sheets are usually attached to the print bed with an adhesive backing or a magnetic base. PEI sheets are known for their high temperature resistance and chemical stability.

Advantages:

  • They can provide strong adhesion for most materials when heated and easy release when cooled.
  • They can produce a shiny and smooth finish on the bottom layer of your prints.
  • They can be reused for many times without losing their effectiveness.

Disadvantages:

  • They can be prone to scratching and denting, requiring gentle handling and cleaning.
  • They can lose their adhesion over time, requiring occasional sanding or reapplication.
  • They can be expensive and hard to cut or trim to fit your print bed size.

I was printing last night and my temperature readout looked erratic like a heartbeat. I stopped the print and started to investigate. When I did, the wire for the thermister came off in my hand, indicating that the loose wire is probably what was causing the issue.

Short post today, but keep up with the maintenance on your 3d printer.