1 Topic by perlguy

  • perlguy
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-09-19
  • Posts: 55

Topic: Calibration Help

I'm trying to get my Solidoodle 2 fully calibrated, but I am running into a few issues.

I've got my extruder calibrated to within 1mm, so I am not too worried there.

The bed, well that seems almost impossible to get level.  I wish it had 4 adjustment screws.  I have it about as good as I can get it.

ABS filament is what I am currently using.  I've been having issues with the layers not fully bonding and with quite a bit of extra "goop".

There are SO many different things that you can tweak, I am not sure exactly what tweaking I should do.

I am attaching a few photos to show what I mean.  Also, at the tip of the X-wing fighter, when it was printing the top 1/4" or so was just a blob moving back-and-forth.

Also, I tried printing the 4x20 box with a single wall for calibration - sliced it with slic3r 0.97 - at every layer where the head stopped to finish the line for the current layer, there was a small blob.

Suggestions for what things I should try first, etc are greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Perlguy

Post's attachments

IMG_0728.jpg
IMG_0728.jpg 445.16 kb, 2 downloads since 2012-12-18 

IMG_0729.jpg 575.76 kb, 2 downloads since 2012-12-18 

IMG_0730.jpg
IMG_0730.jpg 398.46 kb, 2 downloads since 2012-12-18 

You don't have the permssions to download the attachments of this post.

2 Reply by nickythegreek

  • nickythegreek
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-11-18
  • Posts: 673

Re: Calibration Help

Couple questions to get started:

Are you using the solidoodle .3mm and .1mm slic3r profiles?
What brand of filament are you using and what temp are using while printing?
Have you done adjustments yet to your Extrusion Multiplier and Filament Diameter settings in slic3r?

It looks to me like you might be extruding a bit to much filament. Did your single wall box have a ~.42mm width?

It looks like you might need to tweak your retraction settings in slic3r's 'Printer Settings' as well.

I'm currently using:
Length: 1.1
Lift Z: 0
Speed: 75
Extra Length on Restart: .05
Minimuum travel after retraction: 1

3 Reply by perlguy

  • perlguy
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-09-19
  • Posts: 55

Re: Calibration Help

Thanks, I will try those suggestions.

I am using the filament that Solidoodle sells.

I've used the .3 and .1mm settings, currently I am using the .3mm settings.

I am going to have to double-check the width of the wall.

If the wall is too thick or too thin, which settings do you change to get it tweaked to .42mm ?

Thank you again.

4 Reply by nickythegreek

  • nickythegreek
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-11-18
  • Posts: 673

Re: Calibration Help

Follow this guide:

https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/wiki/Calibration

5 Reply by perlguy

  • perlguy
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-09-19
  • Posts: 55

Re: Calibration Help

Ok, followed guide, made changes, now it seems like I am going down a rabbit-hole of bad prints!

I think that I have a partial clog in the extruder nozzle because it keeps binding a little when it tries to extrude more than about 15mm at a time.

Also, when I try the test print, I end up with a bunch of thin strands that don't even lay down on each other, they just fall wherever.  I get this even if I change the extrusion multiplier from my calculated 0.73 value to something like 1.25!

I have some kapton tape coming so I can try to completely unclog the nozzle.

However, does anyone have all of the basic, starting, settings for slic3r and for skeinforge(?)

I've got so many different versions of settings, I would like to just start over from square 1 once I am sure my nozzle is good.

I just want to be able to start everything over.

One other thing, there was a link in the calibration guide that went to a page that showed an intensely detailed calibration guide.  It involved knowing the number of teeth on the gears, gear ratios, etc...  Is there any place that has all of this information for the various Solidoodle printers?

Thanks again!
Perlguy

6 Reply by nickythegreek

  • nickythegreek
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-11-18
  • Posts: 673

Re: Calibration Help

The best calibration info that you can get that is SD2 specific would be Ian's blog. He has several guides dedicated to calibration of different parts of the machine.

I would also suggest checking out the calibration part of the SD wiki which is a major work in progress.