1 Topic by sigilo (edited by sigilo 2015-01-19 18:21:15)

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Topic: Press PLA printing unsuccessful

I've had all sorts of problems with my Press since it arrived, mid-air printing (fixed with g-code M502), filament jamming (fixed by opening the lid at printing), and a few more, you name it, even some screws went loose and fell on the first few print attempts. Every step of the way has been a struggle, esp for a newbie on 3D printing like me. So much for "one click printing" experience with the Solidoodle Press, anyway i've managed to sort out most of it so far, except for this one, trying now to print with PLA, it seems that the extruder assembly heats enough to make the filament bendy and that causes it to jamm. I'm using 200 - 210 ºC settings on the extruder and 70ºC on the bed (way more that the default 45ºC that soliprint sets when selecting PLA), so basically i have not been able to print anything at all with PLA. The bending happens quite fast, i've tried heating up the extruder without filament, in order to quickly insert it and extrude a few mm right before the printing starts, and it kinda works for the first 15 seconds of printing and then it heats/bends/jamms again. Has anyone been able to print successfully with PLA and if yes, what temp did you used on the extruder and bed, as well as the distance between the nozzle tip and the bed. Did you had to use something to get the PLA to stick to the bed? (tape, spray, stick glue?)

The bending shown on the picture occurs between the extruding wheel and the extruder hot end

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2 Reply by Dream-Cypher

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Re: Press PLA printing unsuccessful

I've only used abs, but I know at one point solidoodle said the press uses different temperatures dur to the location of the temp sensor. For example, they said that a reading of 270 degrees on the sensor equalled 230 in the melt chamber. If that's the case, you may need a much higher temp setting.

The press's default settings for abs definitely seem high compared to what I see mentioned elsewhere online.

3 Reply by sigilo

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Re: Press PLA printing unsuccessful

Well, my problem isn't that the filament is not been extruded, it's more like is melting/bending before it extrudes, so i suspect the temperature might be too high, but i'll definitely give it a go with higher temps to see what happens.

4 Reply by sigilo (edited by sigilo 2015-01-19 20:21:26)

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Re: Press PLA printing unsuccessful

Ok, i followed your suggestion on the temperature, i'm using the Soliprint's default PLA but made an adjustment on the Z-Offset to give it more room (at +.5 now). It's printing well so far!

Update: I had to raise the bed's temperature to prevent the first layer to un-stick to 50ºC also had to tighten up the screw that holds the extruder wheel in place, that seemed to be part of the problem.

5 Reply by itscbj (edited by itscbj 2015-01-25 02:17:39)

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Re: Press PLA printing unsuccessful

sigilo wrote:

had to tighten up the screw that holds the extruder wheel in place, that seemed to be part of the problem.

I've searched and can't find how to tighten that screw...

How do I do this?

The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
- Mark Twain... maybe.

6 Reply by sigilo (edited by sigilo 2015-01-25 03:59:10)

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Re: Press PLA printing unsuccessful

You have to use an 1.5mm allen (hex) wrench and insert it on the left side in between the gaps of the assembly that surrounds the extruder wheel

http://public.mlabs.us/ZZ1142642C.jpg

7 Reply by vansbutsneakers

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Re: Press PLA printing unsuccessful

I got it to work with PLA. Here's how.

The trick is to remove the semi-transparent cover on the print head (It's engraved  "Solidoodle"). You know, that little transparent cover where you can see the gears pulling filament through.

1. Set your print head temperature to 220 cel. and your Print bed to 51 cel.
2. Remove the Semi-Transparent cover
3. Open all doors. The front, the top latch, the filament holder.
4. Click print

NOTE* My room was about 70 degrees.

8 Reply by itscbj (edited by itscbj 2015-02-06 11:53:18)

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Re: Press PLA printing unsuccessful

vansbutsneakers wrote:

I got it to work with PLA. Here's how.

The trick is to remove the semi-transparent cover on the print head (It's engraved  "Solidoodle"). You know, that little transparent cover where you can see the gears pulling filament through.

1. Set your print head temperature to 220 cel. and your Print bed to 51 cel.
2. Remove the Semi-Transparent cover
3. Open all doors. The front, the top latch, the filament holder.
4. Click print

NOTE* My room was about 70 degrees.

Glorious...!

Thank you for the info. I think I might try this today.

Now, for my silly question of the post: Did/do you use painter's tape?

The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
- Mark Twain... maybe.