PrusaSlicer settings for PETG
I am trying to print more with PETG instead of just defaulting to PLA. I am having trouble dialing in the first layer and began looking at the settings. I was using some MatterHacker PETG and noticed the bed temp is listed at 55-77 C - but the PrusaSlicer generic settings are configured at 85-90 C. Then using some t-glase, the listed bed temp is 55 c ( https://taulman3d.com/t-glase-spec.html). PrusaSlicer has a brand-specific setting for this filament and the bed is set at 90 C. I know that I can adjust the settings, but why is there such a big difference between the manufacturer specs and PrusaSlicer settings? Is it on purpose, or is there an error in the settings?
Just trying to understand if and how I should adjust configuration.
Thanks for any advice/thoughts.
RE: PrusaSlicer settings for PETG
Manufacturer settings are just general catchall. They may have been tested with a few printers they have around the office. What was the bed surface of those printers ? glass ? Kapton Tape ?, Buildtak ? etc.
Prusa profiles are tested on the specific Prusa Printers with the build surface for that material. So using a textured plate with PETG (as that is what prusa uses for printing petg) it adheres better at the higher temperature set in their profiles. Especially with larger, more boxy parts as petg warping can cause separation from the build plate. Start with the Prusa settings and if you have issues with a print adjust from there.
RE: PrusaSlicer settings for PETG
Start with Generic PETG settings. They work for almost all brands of PETG I've tried. You can then fine tune from there if needed.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: PrusaSlicer settings for PETG
Thanks. I'm using the standard Prusa smooth plate but will give the default settings a try.
RE: PrusaSlicer settings for PETG
Please remember to use a bed adhesion inhibitor to reduce adhesion if you are printing petg with the smooth sheet. Otherwise you may find it sticks too well and you end up tearing pieces out of it trying to remove the print. As several of us have done when starting out.
RE: PrusaSlicer settings for PETG
Thanks, what's your preferred inhibitor?
RE: PrusaSlicer settings for PETG
You can use the glue stick that came with the printer.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: PrusaSlicer settings for PETG
You can use the glue stick. My personal preference is a quick wipe with windex as it’s a thinner layer than the glue stick.
RE: PrusaSlicer settings for PETG
Update - this is not a good scientific experiment, because I adjusted two things at once, but I tweaked the PINDA height and recalibrated, and then retried using the default PrusaSlicer filament settings without adjusting. (I had been seeing issues with PLA filament as well, however the PETG ones were worse and more varied, with adhesion failing, so that is why I changed both.) The first layer is considerably better!
It surprised me that the manufacturer's settings wouldn't be the ideal ones, but as Neophyl said, perhaps they assumed something different - build plate, industrial printer, enclosure, etc.
Thank you for the reminder about an inhibitor. My print stuck quite a lot despite using the glue stick. I would have been in trouble without the glue.
I notice my first layer warps where the glue is thinner - so counterintuitively (to me) it seems to help adhesion as well as prevent the whole print sticking.
Does it have to be name brand Windex that is used, or can we use any kind of glass cleaner? I do notice the glue is difficult to apply consistently but don't happen to have regular Windex in the house.
Thank you for the tips and input!
RE: PrusaSlicer settings for PETG
I actually use 'windolene' which is a UK equivalent of windex so I doubt its that brand specific. the advantage of a brand is it is theoretically a known quantity.
If all you have is the glue stick then one trick to spreading it thinner is to use IPA. The same problem with using IPA as a bed cleaner also works for the glue stick. IPA dissolves stuff into solution. When using it to try and clean skin oils from the bed it can actually spread them around and tends to leave a thin layer behind unless using lots. This is one of the the main problems with bed adhesion in the first place (along with z height not being dialed in). But the same process is also useful for spreading glue stick around in a thinner layer.
Plain hot water is great at removing glue stick afterwards as its designed to be cleaned with water. A bit of detergent helps here too to get it back to clean.
RE: PrusaSlicer settings for PETG
I've had good results with the default settings of PS for generic PETg with most any brand of PETg filament.
IIRC the bed temperature is 85/90 for this and I have not seen any reason to change it.
I've been using Layerneer as both an adhesion booster and release agent with PETg (and ABS) and it goes on much thinner than the glue stick and therefore does not leave a reverse image on the bottom of the print. Although it's intended for glass plates, it works quite well on the Prusa smooth (and textured) steel plates as well.
