Dialling in filament
Hello, I've used up the prusa filament (PLA) that came with my printer and have been pretty happy with it. Due to shipping etc, it's much cheaper and much faster to buy local filament than continue with the prusa product.
I've purchased some PLA+ from 3DFillies and using the standard prusa PLA settings, it prints OK, but not quite as well. I'm new to 3D printing so dialling in a new filament isn't something I've had to do before. I printed out a benchy with the new PLA+ to compare to the one I printed out with the Prusa PLA and have attached the pictures. There is more pronounced horizontal lines on the PLA+ print (lighter grey) than the Prusa PLA (darker slightly metallic grey) and as a result, the vertical lines suffer.
The temperature was set at 210/60 with a layer height of 0.15 mm as per the file info.
To me, it almost looks like the PLA+ is either being extruded too fast, or being run too hot. Either way it appears to be too 'liquid' to give good fidelity but I'm only guessing.
If anyone could provide me a good starting point on setting changes or causes of this issue, that'd be great. I intend on using the standard prusa PLA settings and working from there as they seem at least fairly close.
Thanks!
Read the box your filament came in
Each filament will require a different temp range. There is no standard formulation that crosses vendors for something called PLA+ - the + just means it is a blend of stuff. So they print "print at" recommendations on the box. Print that way.
Thanks Dan
The temperature range on the box is 190-235 deg C which is fairly broad. I was just after an indication of whether I was on the right track or not before wasting too much time and filament treading what I'm sure is a very well trodden path. I'll continue to look around and see what effect too much or too little heat has.
The benchy looks nearly perfect - move on 🙂
A little stringing - I wouldn't sweat that for one second.
bench
That is a pretty good result for a Benchie.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
Printing another now
I'm printing another now with 200C as the print temp to see what, if any difference it makes. Just trying to learn what to look for. A previous print would leave a small blob in places and I figured it might be spitting out too much filament which lets a blob form at the tip while the printer makes a safe z move. I know the printer retracts the filament in these cases, but perhaps not enough with this filament.
Thank you for your replies
Print a temp tower , then you see in one print the best setting.
And in prusa slicer you see more pla presets from companies, but if you look in the settings you see even more presets from even more filaments, that are not standard visible.
What is a temp tower?
Print a temp tower , then you see in one print the best setting.
What is a temp tower?
Where to find temp tower files.
https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=temp+tower&type=things&sort=relevant
Mk3S+,SL1S
A better temp tower link
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/12758-temp-towerready-to-go
Mk3S+,SL1S
Sounds good!
Thanks for the replies, I've got the temp tower printing now. I've done a few more prints and reducing the temperature 5-10 degrees seems to get rid of some imperfections like the 'seam line' on the benchy chimney for instance. I snapped the chimney off the previous model and the one printed at a lower temperature and couldn't notice any change in adhesion. It'll be interesting to see if the temp tower agrees with me or not. I'm also suspecting the filament spool might not be feeding as smoothly as it could as well. The PRUSA filament seems rough and this 3DFilles filament seems smooth so it may be less tolerant to slipping. we'll see!
I'm happy enough with the prints but if it can be even better, its worth a little playing around and who knows, I might even learn something.
Perfectionism
Just remember: the enemy of good is better. Keep trying to improve, but perfection is not attainable in FDM printing or at least, it may not be what some are expecting.
Thanks for the replies, I've got the temp tower printing now. I've done a few more prints and reducing the temperature 5-10 degrees seems to get rid of some imperfections like the 'seam line' on the benchy chimney for instance. I snapped the chimney off the previous model and the one printed at a lower temperature and couldn't notice any change in adhesion. It'll be interesting to see if the temp tower agrees with me or not. I'm also suspecting the filament spool might not be feeding as smoothly as it could as well. The PRUSA filament seems rough and this 3DFilles filament seems smooth so it may be less tolerant to slipping. we'll see!
I'm happy enough with the prints but if it can be even better, its worth a little playing around and who knows, I might even learn something.
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog