Nylon filament and first layer calibration  

printing nylon

Posted by: @chrispf

This is my first post. I've had my Mini since May and have learned a lot through trial and error as well as reading this forum. 

My Mini currently runs firmware version 4.3.1+2579.

I've purchased a nylon filament Taulman3d Nylon 230 and just realized that the Filament Menu does not have nylon listed, nor is there a suitable filament type for my first layer calibration that is close to the recommended Taulman3d bed temp (230c-235c, 55c bed).

Is there a way to do any temp adjustments to a first layer calibration or should I just go with the PETG selection which shows (230c/85c).

Is there a way to add Nylon to the "load filament" menu? 

Should I use the smooth PEI sheet with they Nylon or the texture powder coated steel sheet?

Thanks in advance- ChrisPF

 

 

Caveat:  I have a Mk3, not a mini. 

I only use the printer based first layer calibration with PLA, to set the initial Z offset -- to get it close.  Fine adjustment is done with first layer adjustment prints.  Generally, this is a one layer square about 75mm in size.  As the printer works its way across the square, I can adjust the Z offset dynamically in steps, to find the best live Z value.  Like I said, I don't have a Mini, so I don't know what it's calibration sequence is like, but on the Mk3, you would have to be extremely lucky to get a good first layer using just the on-printer calibration process.

As to which sheet to use, I don't know how the textured sheet would work with nylon, but if you use the smooth PEI sheet, you will need some sort of adhesion boost like magigoo or glue stick.  Nylon simply does not adhere to PEI well enough.  If you are ok with having a textured surface on you print, you could try the textured sheet and see if it will stick or not. 

See:  https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/nylon_167188

You will need a filament dryer, preferably one that allows you to print directly from the dryer ... and a printer enclosure is strongly recommended.

Nylon is apt to stick too tightly to the print bed, sometimes causing damage, so a seperator is advised, see above article.

To make a new preset select an existing one, save it with a new name, edit it as required, save again and you will have a new, loadable, entry.

Cheerio,

thanks!

Tried out a test "Buddy dog" print.  Used the textured bed with some Elmer's glue stick and kept the printer in the enclosure. Printed and stuck like a dream. The taulman3d filament is good stuff.     Additionally, I have my filaments in a sealed bucket with silica gel beads. The humidity hovers around 5-10%. Between this nylon, PETG, ABS, and PLA, I've had no issues with popping during printing or poor prints due to "water retention".  Thanks everyone for the advice!

Parameters?

Have you used any modified options (brim, skirt, speed)?

moisture

Posted by: @mobile4you

Have you used any modified options (brim, skirt, speed)?

I started a print yesterday that had a brim and some speed adjustments. Thought I would slow it down a bit. The printing went great for about 2 hours. Found out shortly after that nothing was extruding. (everything that had printed did so very nicely).  @diem was correct on nylon. I thought I had mine dry enough....nope.  The lack of extrusion was from the filament actually being too "bloated" to slide smoothly in the ptfe tube. it was barely moving through the tube. I had to pull like heck to get it out and disassemble a few parts in the process.  You could feel the difference in sizes on the wet nylon vs the drier nylon. The "dry" stuff would slide into the tube, the "wet" would not. 

I ordered a food dehydrator to dry out the nylon and my other moisture prone filaments for future prints. Thought I could beat the moisture battle with just silica beads, but that clearly didn't work.