Slicer 2.3 and Ironing  

RE: Slicer 2.3 and Ironing

I don't own a Prusa so I can't say anything definitive but when I played with ironing in Cura I found that getting the flow correct was critical (I settled on 5% I think).

RE: Slicer 2.3 and Ironing

I've tried ironing with both Cura and PS, and IMAO, the function in PS worked better out of the box.  I plan to experiment more.

I have a heat sink on my extruder motor and using an infrared thermometer gun, the heat sink typically runs in the high 30s to low 40s during a longer print.  I'll sure (try to remember to) take some measurements when it's doing the top layer when I play with ironing again.

RE: Slicer 2.3 and Ironing

I tried the ironing after reading this post, my extruder didn't get much hotter then normal, it was around 50C I measure from the back of the extruder motor (the part that faces you) and thats about average based on other times I've measured.

I was using Clear PETG, I did experience periods of mild extruder clogging, I didn't play with it though, I ran it with default settings, I wasn't impressed by it and don't have much use for it, aside from the one feature that didn't work at all, the " All solid surfaces" so I didn't fiddle with it more after that. the clogging I experienced was intermittent and mild, I was able to get better and constant results by turning up the heat a bit on the PETG.

RE: Slicer 2.3 and Ironing

I meant to say, I was able to get better and constant results by turning up the heat a bit on the PETG and not using ironing. but as we all know you can't edit your posts here. 😡 

RE: Slicer 2.3 and Ironing

I haven't noticed any nozzle blocking from ironing.... at least not yet.  I was using an E3D 0.6mm brass nozzle and PETG filament.

@garethsnaim What kind of nozzle and what diameter were you using?  What kind of filament?

I'm guessing one of the plated nozzles would work best for this kind of thing.

RE: Slicer 2.3 and Ironing

Posted by: @jsw

I've tried ironing with both Cura and PS, and IMAO, the function in PS worked better out of the box.  I plan to experiment more.

I have a heat sink on my extruder motor and using an infrared thermometer gun, the heat sink typically runs in the high 30s to low 40s during a longer print.  I'll sure (try to remember to) take some measurements when it's doing the top layer when I play with ironing again.

A heat sink on a stepper sounds like a great idea.  Would you mind posting a photo?  In would provide context for your measurements.

RE: Slicer 2.3 and Ironing

Here you go ...

I have quite a few of these in the parts junkbox so I grabbed one and stuck it to the laminations on the stepper using thermally-conductive adhesive.  I thought of pasting one or two more on, but after measuring the heat, it did not seem necessary.

Now, yesterday I had to print a lamp holder for a model I'm building and just for the heck of it and to test I turned on ironing.  No obvious heat difference (more or less consistent 38C) as it 'ironed' the lowest flat surface.  Granted, it was not a large surface, but it sure did not zoom up the heat on the extruder motor.

RE: Slicer 2.3 and Ironing

@dimprov

Standard Brass 0.4 nozzle with Overture transparent PETG at 252C, stock generic PETG profile with the heat turned up a tad.

RE: Slicer 2.3 and Ironing

Posted by: @garethsnaim

I cannot prove this in a court of law like, but I have been using the slicer beta for a while now and of the three times I elected to use the ironing feature two things happened:

1. The extruder motor got real hot.

2. The nozzle eventually blocks right up.

 

Has anyone else experienced this?

It turns out the amount of allowed extruder stepper current varies depending on whether you have chosen a DETAIL or  SPEED setting.  Which were you using?  Consider the default Start g-code:

; Don't change E values below. Excessive value can damage the printer.
{if print_settings_id=~/.*(DETAIL @MK3|QUALITY @MK3).*/}M907 E430 ; set extruder motor current{endif}
{if print_settings_id=~/.*(SPEED @MK3|DRAFT @MK3).*/}M907 E538 ; set extruder motor current{endif}

RE: Slicer 2.3 and Ironing

Hi, sorry, you may as well have written that in Klingon.

I cannot remember which setting I used but typically I use .20 quality.