Silicone Socks - Why You Probably Want One
Chasing a problem with thermal runaway failures when printing PETG, I decided to try out the silicone sock routine and I have some pretty convincing empirical data that will probably make you want to install one.
The print I was working on has a large footprint (~140mm square). My temps are set at 235/240 and 85/90 with the print fan off for 3 layers, ramping to 35% at layer 5, with overall fan settings at 35% min and 50% max. Print has no bridges so that's not in play.
As you can see, I was having some pretty aggressive fluctuations during the first layer:
Next trace it starts to normalize after about 2 minutes:
And finally settles down after another minute or so and gets to work:
However, once the print fan kicked in after layer 3 the temperature starting dropping badly. Unfortunately I didn't get a screen shot of the temp trace because I was too busy trying to mess with some settings to save the print, so you'll have to take my word that it dropped down 15-20 degrees, tried mightily to correct but never even got close until it finally tripped the runaway feature about 3/4's of the way through layer 5.
I had picked up some of the socks so figured this was the right time to tear everything apart and get one installed to see if it might help this. I've never had any thermal runaway issues with PLA so I kind of feel like the hotter temps just put you on more of the razors edge with regard to what the printed can and can't do. It's a little weird though because I've done some big PETG prints with no failures, so still a mystery to me.
Anyway, the traces below are the exact same print. As you can see, with the sock installed the fluctuations are completely normalized to no more than +/- 1-2 degrees even when the fan kicks in. Trace 1 is mid first layer. Trace 2 is at the programmed 5 degree temp jump at layer 2. Trace 3 is when the fan kicked on and the final trace is at layer 9.
I'm sold.
RE: Silicone Socks - Why You Probably Want One
Forgot to mention, I can honestly say that with the sock installed, my MK3S+ put down the best first layer I've seen, with any material. Perfectly consistent, none of the wet and dry look lines from the temp fluctuations, no globs boogers or starved spots.....smooth and silky. And the rest of the print (so far, it's still running) is also of a higher quality than I am used to seeing.
RE: Silicone Socks - Why You Probably Want One
Interesting findings, and in line with my experience. Not saying silicone socks are a necessity but, having run alu and copper heat blocked V6's on my Prusa's and monoprice 3D printers, silicone socks just make printing easier, cleaner and more frequently successful helping provide excellent print results. I think they're an easy and effective upgrade.