1 Topic by bowvmi2001

  • bowvmi2001
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Topic: Large Print Layer Separation

I have had my SD2 for about two weeks now and I have been having a blast printing.  So far I print dumb things like squirrels and other things for the wife.  Last night I decided to print my largest print so far; it took almost 13 hours (I have not experimented with speeding up my prints yet) and most of the print bed.  This morning when it finished it looks fairly good, however some layers have separated.  I believe that this is do to the large print and the filament cooling and causing the separation.  Is my assessment correct and how can I prevent this in the future?

SD2 with heated bed, no cover
Repetier with Slic3r

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2 Reply by IronMan

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Re: Large Print Layer Separation

The premature cooling of the model would be the biggest culprit...are you printing with the enclosure on?  If not, or you don't have one, then try boxing the sides and top with cardboard.  Ideally, you want to keep the interior chamber from 50-65 degrees C for the best condition.  Some have used hot air injection, etc.  I have found success with just an acrylic enclosure.  Bed Temp - 95; extruder temp 195-200.

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!

3 Reply by bowvmi2001

  • bowvmi2001
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Re: Large Print Layer Separation

Thanks for the confirmation.  What do folks use for hot air injection?  Also, I find that when I route the filament through the hole in the SD2, the filament bends to point where it looks like it will break when the extruder moves to the front of the machine.  Therefore, I route the filament over the top of the SD2.  If I place a cover on the SD2 than I will have to route the filament through the hole, is there a way to prevent the filament from bending or am I being too cautious.

4 Reply by cmetzel

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Re: Large Print Layer Separation

I print with the cover on all the time with filament through the back hole, solidoodle's print farm where they print the parts for the assembly line uses covers as well.  I've only heard of one or two people that snap the filament but I think it's more a bad batch of filament than anything else.

5 Reply by DePartedPrinter

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Re: Large Print Layer Separation

bowvmi2001 wrote:

I have had my SD2 for about two weeks now and I have been having a blast printing.  So far I print dumb things like squirrels and other things for the wife.  Last night I decided to print my largest print so far; it took almost 13 hours (I have not experimented with speeding up my prints yet) and most of the print bed.  This morning when it finished it looks fairly good, however some layers have separated.  I believe that this is do to the large print and the filament cooling and causing the separation.  Is my assessment correct and how can I prevent this in the future?

SD2 with heated bed, no cover
Repetier with Slic3r


What temp are you extruding at? Are you getting any warping on the bottom layers?

SD2 with E3D, SD Press, Form 1+
Filastruder
NYLON (taulman): http://www.soliforum.com/topic/466/nylon/

6 Reply by solijohn

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Re: Large Print Layer Separation

bowvmi2001 wrote:

Thanks for the confirmation.  What do folks use for hot air injection?  Also, I find that when I route the filament through the hole in the SD2, the filament bends to point where it looks like it will break when the extruder moves to the front of the machine.  Therefore, I route the filament over the top of the SD2.  If I place a cover on the SD2 than I will have to route the filament through the hole, is there a way to prevent the filament from bending or am I being too cautious.

We use them with the covers on all the time, though I imagine it may be easier to properly thread in sans cover. It should work just fine. If you want to be a total McGuyver, there shouldn't be any issue with drilling a little hole in the top of the cover to pass the filament through.

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.

7 Reply by jon_bondy

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Re: Large Print Layer Separation

solidoodlesupport wrote:

If you want to be a total McGuyver, there shouldn't be any issue with drilling a little hole in the top of the cover to pass the filament through.

I would be surprised if that worked.  A small hole would dig into the filament as it entered the printer, and there would be quite an angle (and variable) as the print head moved around.  The top of the case needs to be 2-3 inches taller to allow this kind of approach.

8 Reply by solijohn

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Re: Large Print Layer Separation

jon_bondy wrote:
solidoodlesupport wrote:

If you want to be a total McGuyver, there shouldn't be any issue with drilling a little hole in the top of the cover to pass the filament through.

I would be surprised if that worked.  A small hole would dig into the filament as it entered the printer, and there would be quite an angle (and variable) as the print head moved around.  The top of the case needs to be 2-3 inches taller to allow this kind of approach.

It's worth a shot. These printers surprise me all the time.

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.