[Closed] G-Code Optimization to reduce retractions  

RE: G-Code Optimization to reduce retractions

You can turn off retractions, if that's what you mean. Just set Printer Settings->Extruder 1->Retraction->Length to 0. Wipe while retracting should reduce the blobs. You could try disabling Retract on layer change. Mind you, 0 retraction usually results in heavy stringing. These are work-arounds for over-extrusion and oozing.

Better yet, calibrate your extrusion multiplier to minimize that over-extrusion in the first place and you'll have less need for retraction. With some calibration, I can usually get by with 0.4mm retraction and 0.4mm z-lift. I have not tried NinjaTek Eel myself, but try printing at the lower end of the print range and see if it helps.

Pics would be helpful. Even better, zip and upload a 3MF project file showing your part and printing parameters. If traces are thin enough, they should consist mostly of perimeter lines, so should print in one pass. If they're wider, you'll get infill which can result in more extrusion moves.

RE: G-Code Optimization to reduce retractions

Thanks.  This is a TPU based project, so I already have retractions turned off.

I think the little tiny blobs are from where the extruder is lifting up to go move to the next place.

RE: G-Code Optimization to reduce retractions

Have you calibrated Linear Advance for that filament? That should help with filament build-up as the nozzle slows at the end of an extrusion. Wiping (if not already enabled) might help keep them down. Otherwise, do an extrusion multiplier calibration. That's all I can think of.

Curious how well that filament works for actual projects. From what I've read on conductive filament, it is not at the point where you can replace wires or copper traces with it yet. Any good results?

RE: G-Code Optimization to reduce retractions

I think what you really want is print trace optimization. I would recommend you to try different slicers (Simplify3D, KISS, Cura ....) and check if they're doing it different. 

RE: G-Code Optimization to reduce retractions

@bobstro

I'm working on replacing an old circuit behind the dash in an old VW and am experimenting within different solutions. Attached is a picture of the first run.

The nice thing about 3D printing is I can print everything including the shape of the part, the cutouts, etc.

I created it by having the lower layer .25 padded using regular TPU and next layers up is Eel, which is carbon based conductive TPU.

It might work for 12V solution, but also might not be conductive enough or have too much resistance.  I'll post and let you know how it works.

My solution needs to be on a flexible medium, so my other option is to get a copper layered fabric and attach a dremel to cut out the circuits, or print using my inkjet printer on transparency with silver ink.  Problem is that I would need to figure out how to automatically cut out the various holes in needed.  

RE: G-Code Optimization to reduce retractions

So I made a test circuit using the ninjatek eel TPU filament and tried it. On a very short run, like 20mm, conductivity is very minimal. 

if I use a 12 volt battery and measure it, on the circuit it's only passing about 0.5 volts.

Enough to light an LED kind of dim. So ninjatek TPU eel is a waste. Not happy.

RE: G-Code Optimization to reduce retractions

@lawrence-b2

Thanks for the feedback. Can you try to make thicker (or higher) traces?

RE: G-Code Optimization to reduce retractions

I could, but it won't work for creating a circuit trace that is useful for my application.

On to plan B.