PC CF horizontal layer ripples
Hi there.
I'm trying to print an outlet cover using PC-CF on a Core1.
Slicer 2.9.2
FW 6.3.4+10511
Obxidian .4 nozzle
IEMAI PC-CF filament
Stock Prusa smooth sheet
Purple glue stick
My slicer settings are the stock Prusament PC-CF Blend profile.
Nozzle @ 285c
Bed@ 100c
I've tried it both with the chamber temp set to 40c and 55c.
This photo is from the solid 3rd layer. The resulting part is perfectly functional, but I'm curious as to what's causing the terrible ripples. Is it because I'm printing too hot or too cold with the nozzle or bed? Or is my extrusion multiplier too high?
Thx!
RE:
The filament is over extruded. Prusa sets an extrusion multiplier 1.04 for their PC-CF. For IEMAI PC-CF it should be more like 0.85 or 0.90 for this filament. IEMAI recommends 230-250°C hot-end, bed temperature of 60-80°C, and print speed of 30-100mm/s. 285C is too high.
Also it may be damp. PC filaments are hydroscopic and need to be dried before you use them. You should dry it at 70C for 8hrs before printing with it.
Anyway, I owned a spool of this filament. IEMAI PC-CF in particular is very brittle and interlayer adhesion is poor. I ended up throwing my spool away. Also CF based filaments are not a good choice and is probably the worst filament to use for an outlet cover given its not as impact resistant as other filament types. PC (not PC-CF), (example PC Blend), PA (again not PA-CF) or ASA is a much better choice.
RE:
My edit window closed but I wanted to add that you can't use Prusa's settings for another vendor's filament. It generally won't work unless it's a basic filament like PLA or PETG. Always read the data sheet for that filament and use the manufacturer's recommended settings.
RE: PC CF horizontal layer ripples
Thanks. That all makes sense. I did dry it for 8 hours@80c, so I'll jump right into getting IEMAI's settings figured out.
Much appreciated!
RE:
Try the following:
- Nozzle: 240C
- Bed: 80C
- Extruder Multiplier: 0.90
Also with this type of filament you will sometimes need to anneal it afterwards, example at 110C for around 4hrs. That said, the roll I had was crap. There is a discussion about it here: https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/prusa-core-one-how-do-i-print-this-printing-help/printing-with-pc-cf-keeps-lifting-off-print-bed/
Prusa PC-CF is an excellent filament and I have 2 rolls of it. However, it's almost never in stock.
Again though, for an electrical outlet cover I recommend (the non CF versions of): ASA, PC, or PA12. Of the 3, ASA is by far the easiest to print.