Printing with PETG  

RE: Printing with PETG

Re-doing live Z can't hurt, in my hands it's rarely needed when I switch between PLA and PETG. The stock Prusament PETG profile does a fine job for me. It shouldn't take more than a really clean bed to stick and proper Live Z to stick. 

RE: Printing with PETG

@fuchsr

Just finished a five hour print. It seems that the support material didn't really bind to the first layer which seems to have decent adhesion to the plate.

RE: Printing with PETG

what kind of bed are you working with? can you show us pictures of the problem? can you post a zipped up.3MF project file?

RE: Printing with PETG

Post your first layer results.  

RE: Printing with PETG

Thank you all for responding. I'm printing on the PRUSA Steel Sheet. This particular project I printed a couple of times using PLA with great results. Using the PETG it seems the first layer had good adhesion of the support material to the sheet but the next layer or so did not adhere well to the first layer.

I'd like to print this project using a finer resolution.

The attached photo shows the first layer of the support material on the sheet.

RE: Printing with PETG

I know that picture ... happens sometimes.  Here's what I think

1.  Don't use the steel sheet for PETG.  Use the textured sheet.  You'll thank me later ($$$)

2. Brim.  Add a few millimeter brim to your part, and re-slice.  It'll help keep things from going south when the interface lines go a little dodgy.

3.  Speed.  Slow down your speed a bit.

Those very little lines are the interface lines that will be laid down before supports get laid down.  They are very fragile, and tend to melt when the hot head gets near them again.  If your nozzle is dragging frass, it'll interfere with printing the interface lines, or push them like a snowplow as it tries to lay the first layer of the support structure (interface always precedes support structure - by obsesrvation)

RE: Printing with PETG

it looks like your Z is to high and needs to be lowered a bit. its fine to use PETG on textured sheet just spray with original Windex first.

RE: Printing with PETG

@jluvs2ride

Z is definitely too high.  

RE: Printing with PETG

I agree with @swiss_cheese. I don’t see a reason why you shouldn’t get great results with PETG on the smooth sheet. I used it all the time before I switched my printers to the BCZAMD textured sheet , which in my hands works great for any filament I’ve tried. If live z adjustment and a good cleaning of the sheet doesn’t help, I’d try a brim or a thin layer of Layerneer bed weld. 

RE: Printing with PETG

I'm just gun-shy after destroying three sides on two smooth sheets with PETG - before I learned about the windex trick.

RE: Printing with PETG

I wanted to print this at a finer resolution so I resliced the original file at 0.1, cleaned the bed and the printing seems to be going as it should.

Thank you all for your assistance and suggestions. I will let you know how this goes.

RE: Printing with PETG

Would the Z calibration be different for a different filament material?

RE: Printing with PETG

@jluvs2ride

It absolutely can be.  I have had several material that are less adhesive and required more squish.  

RE: Printing with PETG

@dan-rogers

The Windex trick is key.  I have found that hair spray also works.  

RE: Printing with PETG

@cwbullet

I have been scrupulous about cleaning the bed using a microfiber cloth and 97% isopropyl alcohol before and after prints.

So if I use Windex, do I want to leave some residue or follow with a cloth dampened with clean water?

RE: Printing with PETG

My understanding is that Windex leaves a slight residue which prevents PETG from adhering to the point of pulling chunks out of the PEI sheet. So no, you should not further clean it off after applying.

RE: Printing with PETG

<swallows, loosens collar with one finger>

So, I have some fishing spoons to print this weekend (3 color PETG) - and I've a fresh smooth PEI sheet in reserve - I'll do the windex trick on my last good print surface on my battle sheet.

RE: Printing with PETG

BTW, I did mean to say smooth sheet not textured, thank you fuchsr.

RE: Printing with PETG

Good luck.  No matter which sheet you choose Windex will reduce adhesion and promote separation with PETG.