Polish film
After buying both SL1 , washer and lots of different resin types we have not manage to print one usable part.
Tried different resin types different parts and all types of support or without any support.
Miss formed parts, broken off parts and most of the times just one layer stuck on film.
Yes tried cleaning both platforms and replacing film! resetting.
Only thing that worked was when i polished the film with car polish and now we are able to print some parts but still some miss formed.
Not sure how or if the polish have any negative influence on parts or machine but it didn't work anyway out of box so who cares.
Must say that i have never been so disappointed of a machine ever and i have used several sla printers before.
Fredrik
RE: Polish film
Buy an PTFE spray and spray the film with it and use a paper towel to spread it out. This works perfectly for layers sticking to FEP film. And for the printing parts, I have the same problems, parts get deformed and not usable as a prototype, but this is with prusa resin, and other cheap resin. I successfully printed a bunch of prototype cases for electronics with 3dm abs resin, this resin is great but it's expensive.
What I'm trying now is to raise a temperature of the resin and print chamber as it seems that viscosity is a problem.
RE: Polish film
Ok thanks Dario ! IIl try ptfe spray if the polish fails in some way, vat is ptfe by the way ? 😊 .
As of now the polish works great both when printing and cleaning (resin roll off like water on a polished car)
Regarding resin, im going to try "casting green" tomorrow.
Casting resin is way more expensive so maybe it will work.
Printed parts is getting better but the top side is still very miss formed.
Actually the last parts we printed was the best quality so maybe you got a point regarding temp and viscosity.
RE: Polish film
@fredrik
PTFE spray is similar like what you did with polish. With polish you added a wax layer on top of FEP and now nothing sticks to FEP, same thing is done woth PTFE spray, PTFE spray is like a teflon coating that is used for lowering the friction on parts that are connecting.
Also increase the exposure times and definitely preheat the resin before printing.
RE: Polish film
Ok thanks
I have several dry lube types so ill try that if needed.
I see now that they dont have pre selected Casting green in pull down menu, only dental casting green.
Does anybody know if this is the same setting ?
RE: Polish film
I just received this printer... It is complete junk. 6 prints only one worked even though I had to calibrate every time. I have been seeing a lot of complaints on the web, same issues. Two huge problems, first it takes an hour of printing just to find out nothing stuck to the plate. Second and most important problem is there is Zero customer support. Three days of messages and not one returned response from Prusa. I am so dissappointed with this purchase. Heard so many people say this was a great business. What a mistake. Its going back today all the way to Prague from California. Getting the Form 3 like everyone suggested before I bought. A business can not be the innovator in the category with zero support. Don't buy this junk!
RE: Polish film
[...] Three days of messages and not one returned response from Prusa.
Did you try online chat while logged into the Prusa online store? Email is usually used for follow up or sending documentation and pics. The online chat team is usually very responsive and readily available. Not trying to talk you out of your decision, but be aware that their primary mode of support is chat.
and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: Polish film
@bobstro
Thanks Buddy
RE: Polish film
I assume you need to raise the exposure times. If you did the platform calibration correctly you can get the correct exposure times by doing a resin calibration.
Here is the general article about first layer issues.
RE: Polish film
Ok an update for everyone. Finally got my printer to print every time after talking with Sarah through PRUSA chat.
The problem I had was misalignment after each print.
Two things that were important in my situation. When you are calibrating at the point where you turn the tank 90% and adjust to become flush. Once flush she said tap the up button two more times. So two clicks above flush.
Next she had me loosen the screw and when the plate was on the film I had to lightly tap each corner of the plate. At that point the most important thing to do is take the Allen wrench and insert the short end into the screw, then really tighten it. She said it has to be really tight and its designed to tighten more than what you think. That is one of the main problems even if you think the screw is tight, its not holding the plate enough and through the printing process looses just enough to change the precise alignment. Hope that helps. I already had a return ticket for a refund, now its staying in my shop. Hope this helps someone who is frustrated like I was. Keep Swing 3 Ders
RE: Polish film
Thanks for that follow up - it's always good to see how a problem was resolved.
RE: Polish film
@gscootusa
Thanks i will also try that.
After making a few ok prints we have not used it for some time!
Just to much work for a maybe ok result.