SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-22T18:32:12Z

At first, I thought 6mm sounded rather a lot but then I remembered the Pro is a bowden setup.
So yes, you might want to try a bit more retraction, I believe bowden extruders require a good bit more retraction than direct drive.

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-22T18:07:53Z

scobo wrote:

reznor9 wrote:
scobo wrote:
Those settings aren't available in xyzware.
As Carl said, you'd need to use a different slicer which isn't so easy with stock firmware.
XYZware Pro does have retraction settings...
Ok, cheers for that.
I've only ever used the old xyzware with the original Davinci which doesn't.
To the OP - in that case, try setting retraction to around 3mm.

Default retraction is already enabled at 6mm... maybe Ill increase little by little to see if it resolves the issue.

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-22T13:36:19Z

reznor9 wrote:

scobo wrote:
3Dex wrote:
Im glad you've got it printing to how you like it.
Those stringy bits can probably be removed by increasing the retraction settings on your slicer
Those settings aren't available in xyzware.
As Carl said, you'd need to use a different slicer which isn't so easy with stock firmware.
XYZware Pro does have retraction settings...

Ok, cheers for that.
I've only ever used the old xyzware with the original Davinci which doesn't.

To the OP - in that case, try setting retraction to around 3mm.

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-22T13:13:20Z

scobo wrote:

3Dex wrote:
Im glad you've got it printing to how you like it.
Those stringy bits can probably be removed by increasing the retraction settings on your slicer
Those settings aren't available in xyzware.
As Carl said, you'd need to use a different slicer which isn't so easy with stock firmware.

XYZware Pro does have retraction settings...

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-22T04:49:49Z

3Dex wrote:

Im glad you've got it printing to how you like it.
Those stringy bits can probably be removed by increasing the retraction settings on your slicer

Those settings aren't available in xyzware.
As Carl said, you'd need to use a different slicer which isn't so easy with stock firmware.

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-21T21:11:57Z

Telemachus wrote:

A small sponge with acetone will do wonders post print...

Acetone as I understand it is good for smoothing prints when working with ABS? On PLA I don't think it works the same although I know smooth-on sells a product that smooths PLA called XTC-3D... I've never tried it though.

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-21T21:03:52Z

A small sponge with acetone will do wonders post print...

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-21T17:19:27Z

Im glad you've got it printing to how you like it.

Those stringy bits can probably be removed by increasing the retraction settings on your slicer

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-21T16:43:06Z

As mentioned there was nothing I could do about the nozzle drag marks. But I tweaked the settings by increasing top surface and solid infill thickness(not density). Also slowed the print speed down a little. Surface came out much smoother. Not sure why but my prints seem to have a lot of stringing between parts. I don't think it effects the actual print but it never was an issue prior.

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-20T20:55:39Z

For Xyz software you have little freedom. You now can see why so many are flashing to Repetier firmware and host. Your only other option is use another slicer, convert the stl to the correct format and encoding then replace one of the sample prints on the sdcard with yours. There are guides on doing this.

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-20T19:42:29Z

carl_m1968 wrote:

That scratch is normal for the way the Da Vinci software prints. You would need to be able to use a slicer that allows you to avoid crossing perimeters. Also it looks like you are over extruding thus making your final layer too high and the nozzle is touching it.

Im looking up possible fixes for over extrusion and I can't find solutions that reflect settings available to da vinci users or the xyz software. What changes might you recommend for the over extruding?

Re: What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-20T19:33:10Z

That scratch is normal for the way the Da Vinci software prints. You would need to be able to use a slicer that allows you to avoid crossing perimeters. Also it looks like you are over extruding thus making your final layer too high and the nozzle is touching it.

What is causing these imperfections during and after the print?

2016-03-20T18:22:16Z

Was watching my printer and I see that when it has to travel from one end of the print to the other it leaves a scratch on the surface of the previous layer resulting in a scar/scratch. I'm guessing it's due to the nozzle lightly dragging across the surface or maybe oozing of excess material as I do sometimes see thin strings of material that web between pieces when multiple pieces are printed? What is the best way to remedy this?
Do I increase my z-offset, try lowering the temperature further, or play with other settings? What do you guys recommend?

Also on a side note I have experienced at times blemishes on my flat top surface. What causes that?

Left image first layer of print showing the scratch, right is completed print showing blemishes on top layer.

FYI I'm printing on a Da Vinci Pro with Hatchbox PLA(recommended extruder temp 180-210)

My settings:
Tried lowering extruder temp to 175 (lowered 5 degrees below recommended temp because I thought maybe it was oozing and over extruding, didn't fix issue)

Layer height: .15
Infill density:10%
Aside from settings captioned in the pic, the rest are default settings for PLA