Print issues
Hey,
I just got the MK3 kit up and running and I have some print issues. I noticed some stringing and small effects in the walls of an otherwise spectacular Benchy, and decided I might want to run some test prints. I have some pictures but can't add them to this post for some reason. This is the first forum I have participated in. The retraction tests are producing some pretty nasty hairs and z effects. I have been gradually lowering the hot end temp but its keeping up. Next is to up the retraction from the standard 35 mm/s. Andy advice would be really appreciated. parts are also coming out dimensionally larger than they should. I plan to use the printer primarily for functional parts, so if stringing is a problem with PLA, I imagine it will be worse with PETG.
Re: Print issues
For whatever reason I had the same issue. So I now open phone mages in Paint - size as needed (1000x is plenty big), save as PNG; then edit the png and save as JPG. Gets the size down to something reasonable and removes a bunch of Android related meta-gibberish. My real camera images usually just need resizing - but the png-jpg step cuts the size way down, too. Someday I'd like to know what it's losing - can't only be compression because saving to jpg in paint has no compression options. But I digress.
Not much help, I know. But going to lowest print temp on the spool has helped me when a spool of PLA is one of the stringy types. And then after fighting strings enough, I got out my heatgun and stopped worrying about it.
As an aside; isn't retraction related to filament feed distance rather than speed? Unless your are talking about "jerk" ...
Re: Print issues
Hi Kevin,
what slicer are you using?
to add photo's, go to attachments, below the message window,
click on attachments,
Click on Add Files,
and an add files dialogue should open up,
you can add up to three files,
there are restrictions on file types, .stl and .gcode files need to be zipped before adding,
.jpg files are ok!
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
Re: Print issues
Ok I figured it out. The retraction photo is of some Innofil EPR PETG I just got in the mail. I know it's not the same, but I'm having the same issues with PLA. After some reading I have been playing with retraction speed and retraction distance, as well as hot end temp and it seems to be getting better/worse based on the settings. I have begun strictly using the Slic3r PE edition so I can easily change the settings. I plan on mostly printing with PETG, so any setting advice would be appreciated.
Re: Print issues
Ok, this is the PETG. Previous post is the PLA. I broke the fibers out of curiosity, but as you can see its a bit fury.
Re: Print issues
Another point - the photo of the overhang test has little to do with retraction. The "bad" surface is all about trying to print into free air rather than building on previous layers. If you examine the preview after slicing and saving a gcode, Slic3r highlights problem areas where there is no support to the filament (color based). You'll get better overhang results when Detect Bridging is set.
ps: rule of thumb is anything greater than 45 degrees will require planning.
Re: Print issues
Ok thank you. That’s exactly what I was looking for, any other advice going forward will be appreciated.