Troubleshooting Prusa ABS filament
Since this is my first post, if I'm in the wrong place, please let me know.
I've had my MK2S for about 6 weeks now. My PLA prints are all great. I've made an enclosure and started printing ABS. I use the Prusa version of slic3r. My first roll of cheap Hobbyking ABS went ok once I got the temperature of the enclosure near 50C. I had a roll of Prusa ABS that I had ordered with my printer that I'm having problems dialing it in. The temperature says 230C to 250C on the spool. The first cube on the left I printed at 250C with the enclosure about 50C and the bed at 100C. It appeared too hot so I printed the middle one at 230C and everything else the same. It was better but still appeared too hot. The right cube I printed at 230C with the bed at 85C and the enclosure open so the inside was about 27C. It still looks too hot.
My question is, can I lower the nozzle temperature below 230C for this filament and if so, how much? Also, could this be some other problem besides temperature?
Thank you for any help!
Mike
Re: Troubleshooting Prusa ABS filament
Hi Mike,
Admissions, I don't use ABS... it causes me breathing problems... and I am not an expert...
your printer uses inexpensive thermistors for temperature regulation, they are not absolutely accurate.
it may be that your thermistor is under reporting the actual temperature at ABS temperatures...
that would be dissapointing but not hugely problematic...
I would suggest that you try lowering the extruder temperature a little more and see what happens...
considder the extruder temperature as an indicator of possible temperature rather than the actual temperature.
the thermistor will continue to control the extruder temperature within a reasonable approximation of the temperature it thinks it is indicating, so its doing it's job... in a cost effective manner...
some people modify the printer to use a thermocouple and amplifier to more accurately measure the actual temperature, others are happy to continue using the thermistor and simply modify the requested temperature to gain the results that they are looking for.
have you done a PID tuning session at ABS temperatures, whilst this is unlikely to cure your issue, it may improve the printer's deviation above and below the requested process temperature, which may provide quality improvements along the way...
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: Troubleshooting Prusa ABS filament
Thank you Joan. PLA is so much easier to print. I lowered the bed temp to 80 and the nozzle at 230, but what I think may have helped me is I lowered all the speed settings. The calibration cube I printed after that was very much improved. I got a little bit of "elephant foot" but overall the print was much better.
So I tried a 3dbenchy. I got a little roughness at the overhand halfway up on the front and the bridges kinda sucked, but I think these are different issues that I'll try to do a little more research on before I ask the forum. Thank you again!