Notifications
Clear all

Small Footprint Model - Sticking  

  RSS
davep
(@davep)
Trusted Member
Small Footprint Model - Sticking

I have a small model that has a very small footprint on the bed (about 5mm x 22mm).

I want to print maybe a dozen of these in one go DIRECTLY ON THE BED. When I do this, I usually get 2 or 3 that fail to stick (the first layers get munged). Then, as the print goes on, those that initially failed to stick start messing up the models next door. I usually can salvage maybe 6 or 7 of the 12.

I am wondering if the heat settings need to be adjusted (down?) for Hatchbox PLA (or somehow get a thicker first layer). I normally print with eSun PLA but in this case, Hatchbox has the color I need.

Thoughts on either getting a thicker first layer or changing temp setting? Other settings in Simplify3D that might get me a better first layer? If I can get the first few layers clean, the rest of the items print perfectly...its just that first layer!

I've tried brims and rafts and to be honest, the powder bed makes for a really nice texture on the bottom, so I want to try and continue to print directly on the bed.

Thanks!
Dave

Napsal : 07/01/2019 2:03 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
Re: Small Footprint Model - Sticking

Hi David

have you tried turning the boats around?
maybe 45 degrees, maybe 90 degrees

are you using Z lift?
are the bottoms curling?

have you used dish soap and water to clean the build plate, perhaps using a sponge with green scouring pad, to clean the surface fully...?

what temperature is your bed? try 65 / 70 C, see if it helps

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

Napsal : 07/01/2019 2:26 am
davep
(@davep)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Small Footprint Model - Sticking

I followed about half of what you are asking. 🙂

- Turn boats around? Huh? I'll have to Google this.
- Z lift? Same, no idea what you mean.
- Bottoms are not curling, just an extra gob of filament on the first (or second layer) that hardens and then pries loose knocking into other models ruining them too.
- Been using alcohol regularly and acetone pretty often (just to be sure the bed is clean).
- I was at 70 and dropped it to 65 and brought the nozzle temp down from 215 to 205. I kinda feel like maybe some extra filament is oozing out causing the initial fail.

In general I am having great luck in all my prints. Last night was the first major filament jam that required me to take off the nozzle to clear out stuck filament. Mr. Paperclip did the trick on that! 🙂

Thanks for the advice - I'll read up on boats and Z lift.

-Dave

Napsal : 07/01/2019 4:10 am
Share: