Heating questions
Two questions that are probably obvious but I'd like to understand.
1. When I preheat and choose PLA it heats bed to 50. When I print gcode ie treefrog, it then heats bed to 55. Why the discrepancy? Is 55 specified in the gcode?
2. The manual states: http://www.prusa3d.com/downloads/manual/prusa3d_manual_mk2_en.pdf
If you forget to preheat the printing nozzle and the bed before printing, the printer will automatically check the temperatures of the nozzle and the bed; printing will start when desired temperature is reached it can take several minutes. However, we recommend preheating the printer beforehand
Why is it recommended to preheat the printer beforehand instead of printing considering the preheat process will be done automatically?
Re: Heating questions
Yes the temp is set in the gcode. Either way the temp is reached. I tend to set the temp of the bed manually to whatever temp is required for the filament type. I don't know if it matters too much but I'll let the bed sit at temp for 5-10 min before I start the print. All I have to do is wait for the hot end to heat up. I don't like using the preheat option because the filament tends to ooze out.
Re: Heating questions
Ah, I see, that makes sense. So I guess if the temp is not set in the gcode it'll use the default 50.
Re: Heating questions
Generally the temperatures will be set in the GCode files as a normal function of the slicer.
However I usually preheat as well and usually to temperatures 5 degrees more than required for the print, so the first layer is printed slightly hotter to assist adhesion.
After a manual preheat, I usually wait a few minutes for temperatures to stabilise and the heat to become more even; don't forget, the temps are only being measured at a single point and in the case of the Mk1, the glass has to heat up as well.
So for me preheating is just habitual. I cannot say that it produces better prints, but it sort of makes sense to me to do it.
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…