In Search Of: Optimized settings for production of PPE for COVID-19 response
I've put together my notes on maximizing hotend performance for high-volume production of PPE in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. I've shared these settings with a couple of people and have received good comments. I'd appreciate any feedback on using these settings.
In short:
- The E3D V6 hotend can handle much higher volumes when using a larger nozzle than those set in PrusaSlicer profiles.
- A 0.6mm nozzle can significantly reduce print times for the Prusa R3 shield and accessories.
- Finish will not be optimal, but strong solid parts can be printed at 100mm/s sustained speeds.
I'm using the print parameters identified by the Masks for Docs Massachusetts group.
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0.8mm settings?
Hi Bob - Thank you for putting this together. Do you (or anyone reading this) happen to have settings for a 0.8mm nozzle for the i3MK3? I've tried a bunch of settings for printing the NIH Shield, but am having horrible bridging issues (the filament is not sticking to the previous layer and causing "bridges" that are ruining the print - specifically on the upper "shield" part. With a 0.6mm nozzle, the prints work out beautifully, but they take significantly longer . If I can get the 0.8 nozzle working, I can create a shield an hour.
Thanks!
RE: In Search Of: Optimized settings for production of PPE for COVID-19 response
I've got a set of profiles for a range of nozzle sizes here. Be aware that I use the 2-step PINDA warmup, so there's a pause at the start of a print job. On a cold morning, it can take a few minutes to get going. With my current settings, a 0.6 and 0.8mm nozzle result in almost identical print times for the 4 piece full Prusa RC3 set.
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He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: In Search Of: Optimized settings for production of PPE for COVID-19 response
Thank you! 😀
Garry
RE: In Search Of: Optimized settings for production of PPE for COVID-19 response
@bobstro
Thanks for sharing your notes and experience so freely. Quick question - I have an i3 MK3s. I have successfully imported your MK3 (no "s") config bundle into the most recent version of Prusa Slicer. Should I manually create my own configs for the S by keying in yours or would it be safe to just run the MK3 configs on my MK3S?
Thanks in advance!
RE: In Search Of: Optimized settings for production of PPE for COVID-19 response
Thanks for sharing your notes and experience so freely. Quick question - I have an i3 MK3s. I have successfully imported your MK3 (no "s") config bundle into the most recent version of Prusa Slicer. Should I manually create my own configs for the S by keying in yours or would it be safe to just run the MK3 configs on my MK3S?
The Mk3 versions should work just fine. I've disabled the printer checks in firmware. If you have that enabled, you might want to add the appropriate settings to avoid the warning message if it shows up. Other than that, they should be identical.
Note that I experienced a failure in the headband using 2 perimeters with a 0.6mm nozzle as recommended in the MFD doc. I've been told that's OK, that the part doesn't need to be robust, but I'm changing my printing to 4 perimeters with 50% infill. I can almost tie that one in a knot without breakage. It adds about 25 minutes to a full print. We're also being told the NIH shield variant (Prusa frame with high front visor) is preferred.
I'll update my notes page later today.
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He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: In Search Of: Optimized settings for production of PPE for COVID-19 response
@bobstro
Hi Bob. I would go with 0.3 or 0.35 layer height with the 0.6 nozzle. Otherwise I don't see a big benefit compared to 0.4
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RE: In Search Of: Optimized settings for production of PPE for COVID-19 response
@bobstro Thanks for posting your notes.
I'm printing the 8-stack of RC3 face shields using the .3mf on my MK3S with Prusament PETG but I'm seeing a lot of stringing. I've used 0% infill, set the perimiters to, reduced the External Perimiters speed to 60mm/s ( that was a specific recommendation I read in your notes ) and set External Perimiters first to true.
Would the recommendation be to reduce the general print speed with the control knob or to increase the amount of retraction to address this? Should I start to decrease the filament temperature?
Thanks
Dave