MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
I just received my MINI+ last week (decided I wanted a small form factor printer in my office) and after first layer calibration everything has been super great until I try to print with Proto-Pasta filament then it all goes into the compost heap.
- Inland PLA/PLA+? No prob
- SunLu PLA? No prob
- MatterHackers PRO PLA? No prob
- eSun PLA+? No prob
- Inland PETG? No prob
- AmazonBasics PETG? No prob
- 3D-Fuel Standard PLA? No prob
Any of my Proto-Pasta spools print just fine on MK3S+ and Ender 3 V2 (qty2) units - take the spool and load it into the MINI+ and click click, material in the extruder and failed print. And it happens before any first layer completes. Purge line is clean but anything after that is just a mess on the build plate or nozzle.
I have only had this printer about 5 days but I have already done more than 40 hours of printing and only Proto-Pasta is giving me headaches.
What have I tried?
- Generic PLA profile - same issue
- Prusament PLA profile - same issue
- slowing down print speed: 90%, 80%, 70%, 50% - all have same issue
- increasing hot-end temp: 5C, 10C, and 15C - all have the same issue
- I have done combinations of the above with 100% failure
For PrusaSlicer I have created a few shared filament profiles and I haven't had a need to make a dedicated Proto-Pasta profile. These profiles are used on the other printers (mentioned above) without issue. All of them started with Generic <type> then assigned to all printers after minor modifications. Things are dialed in enough so far for me. It works on 3 other printers from 2 manufacturers and yet MINI+ blows chunks.
As soon as I clear the extruder of the particulates I can load any other filament and fire off a test print without hiccup.
Thoughts?
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
I have had similar results with several filament brands and types. I am not sure why some will just not print in the mini. Fusion filaments and Protopasta have been a bugger.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
@cwbullet
I had some Proto-Pasta issues a little while ago with filament, immediately after opening the bag, was 'wet' and needed time in a dryer before things were good. At the time it was 3 spools out of the 10 I had. It was so very frustrating.
I was hoping that I could just 'what am I doing today?' and then grab a spool, slice up, and print. Guess the MINI+ will be relegated to things without the shiny, awesome, glittery, colors of PP.
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
I just completed printing 2 spools of iron-filled Protopasta PLA on a Mini+, no problems at all.
However... I have a Bondtech dual drive extruder (more precisely, its Trianglelab clone). I think the stock extruder is for whatever reason just not as forgiving as the Bondtech.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
@fuchsr
I doubt that is the only thing. I have had success with protopasta also. It is only one roll for me. That same roll prints fine on my Mk3S.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
I just received my MINI+ last week (decided I wanted a small form factor printer in my office) and after first layer calibration everything has been super great until I try to print with Proto-Pasta filament then it all goes into the compost heap.
What color are you printing?
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
@fuchsr
I'll keep that in mind (referencing extruder upgrade)
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
- Blood of my Enemies Red
- Marine Dream Blue
- Forest Fantasy Green
- Citrus Sunrise Orange
- <and have at least another 15 spools of different colors>
Any and all fail on the MINI+.
The 4 colors I mention by name were for a mothers day project. Having a 4th printer would have shaved off some time for me but original planning was for just the 3 printers so I made it. Whew.
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
@geekandi
Probably something different for me. I get Nebula Galaxy and Orange sunrise to print.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
@geekandi
Probably something different for me. I get Nebula Galaxy and Orange sunrise to print.
Maybe I'm just bad at this 3D printing thing.. 🙂
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
@geekandi
Practice makes better. There is rarely a perfect in FDM printing.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
@geekandi
Practice makes better. There is rarely a perfect in FDM printing.
haha, yep. That's why I went down this path cause I wanted something that would be challenging and allow me to be more creative.
Other option was a wood shop but I couldn't justify the cost (or the space).
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
@geekandi
I have a decent wood shop. I have a CNC, laser cutter, bandsaw, table-saw, and router. The 3D printer allows me to do things that I could not do before. Enjoy!
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Resurrection!
But not in a good way.
I am at 100% failure with any Proto-Pasta in my MINI+
Anyone here with any success at all with a MINI/MINI+ and printing with any Proto-Pasta?
Thankfully my other 3 FDM printers have zero issues but I bought the MINI+ for my day job work area (Larry the Loft!!) so I can play during the work day instead of traversing 2 floors regularly (I could use more exercise..)
Edit: giving up on any PP with my MINI+ but I would love to hear some success stories.
RE: Resurrection!
I had to reply to this as i know the MK3S+ has issues with proto pasta HTPLA, still does actually, and has to print hot, like 240-250c hot or it anneals in the hotend...
That said, I just printed some Mermaids Teal on the MINI+ at 220c (recommended temp by protopasta) and it printed flawlessly. All stock everything. I dont have any of the plant fiber matte around to try though, that stuff sucks up moisture and needs to be dried before printing I know that much.
Re: Still resurrection!
wow, my MK3s+ has zero issues, same with my Ender 3 V2 units, printing Proto-Pasta and it is just my MINI+ that gives me fits.
And yes, gotta keep that PP dry. It's very brittle when it has absorbed some moisture and just snaps in your fingers but the colors and finish are so freakin' awesome!
I'd still give the Bondtech extruder a try. It's only $35 for the Trianglelabs clone on AliExpress, and I've had zero issues with any filament since installing it. Best investment I've made into my minis.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
PP or GTFO! (and I have chosen GTFO for now)
I'd still give the Bondtech extruder a try. It's only $35 for the Trianglelabs clone on AliExpress, and I've had zero issues with any filament since installing it. Best investment I've made into my minis.
Yep, did that and I'll agree as to the best investment side of things. Maybe if Prusa would work it out with those folks or design their own dual gear system then that would remove one more point of contention that some of us feel is going on.
Still failures with Proto-Pasta though but everything else works quite well now. Originally, pre-Bondtech-upgrade, I could do PETG without issue or hassle all day long (including some 30h prints), but PLA was giving me fits regardless of brand. So tinkle, tackle, and now just have one type of filament I can't do on my MINI+ that I can do on my other printers without mishap. (my MINI+ is more for having a printer close at hand for quick and fun things while my farm* is in a storeroom in the basement 2 flights down)
* I don't have a farm but a small gaggle of printers from Prusa and Creality
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
I just got my Mini+ and was able to print a perfect coin using the copperfill Proto pasta. I dried the spool for three hours and had an olsen ruby nozzle. No other modifications.
If you are still having issues printing with proto pasta, I recommend you make sure you have your first layer dialed in, and make sure the Proto pasta is dry.
RE: MINI+ & Proto-Pasta filament issues
I ran some 'end of spools' through recently without issue so there is that. No idea why it was so wrong before but the MINI+ has been a workhorse lately. I should shove another PP spool into it and see how she blows!