1 Topic by ilardi1

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Topic: Trouble printing a hollow tube

I am using a recently acquired Da Vinci Jr. 1.0 Pro. I recently printed a hollow tube, horizontally, with supports (using the XYZ Nature PLA that came with the printer). It printed poorly but the center hole of the tube was there.  So I then rotated it and tried (twice) printing it vertically, without supports and it printed much better, but now the center hole is filled in. I used the same .stl file each time,  so this leads me to believe that something is going awry in the slicer.

I created the tube in Freecad, then uploaded the .stl file I exported from Freecad to the Microsoft 3D repair site, then converted the MS .3mf file back to .stl using the Microsoft 3D builder app, and then finally used the XYZWare Pro printing program to slice and turn it into a .3w file which I loaded and printed from the SD card.

A little research on the web leads me to believe that the slicer is having trouble with the file and that it might be caused by having walls with zero thickness.  Unfortunately everything looks just fine in both Freecad and XYZware Pro.  But I am not sure what to look for.

Also if anyone has any other ideas as to why the hole disappears when I print the tube vertically, I’d appreciate hearing them.

Thanks.

2 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Trouble printing a hollow tube

You should always attach a file you are having issues with when possible so we can validate it.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

3 Reply by ilardi1

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Re: Trouble printing a hollow tube

Thanks Carl.  I am new around here (and to 3D printers in general) and did not want to presume that anyone would want to dig in that deeply.  That being said, here is my .stl file.

Thanks for your help.

Also,note to the moderators: Sorry for the double posting.  I don't see how to delete a single post. All I see is how to delete a topic. 

Terry

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4 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Trouble printing a hollow tube

It looks like the issue is in your slicer settings. I loaded it into Simplify3D set for two perimeter walls and it prints fine. I would go back over your settings and check them closely.

Maybe post your settings if possible so we can help you there. As far as I can see the model is not an issue.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

5 Reply by ilardi1

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Re: Trouble printing a hollow tube

Hmmm.  I just use the program that came with the printer, XYZWare Pro. I used the default settings in that except for speed, resolution and retraction.  What sort of things should I look for that is specific to the slicer function.  Or should I just switch to Simplify3D.

And thanks for your help!

Terry

6 Reply by ilardi1

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Re: Trouble printing a hollow tube

So now I realize that those are the slicer settings.  Sorry about that.  I am still learning this stuff. Unfortunately I don't seem to have a good way to capture all of the information in a text file, but here it is in three snips.

Thanks again

Terry

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7 Reply by carl_m1968 (edited by carl_m1968 2019-01-23 03:30:59)

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Re: Trouble printing a hollow tube

The shells are the issue. A shell is normally .48mm wide. So based on that you need to select the number of shells inside and out that will fit in your models given wall dimensions. You are asking for 10 inside and 10 outside shells so the slicer would need a width of 20 times .48mm or 9.6mm to make that many shells. Most of us only use 2 or 3 shells and 2 to 3 top and bottom layers as well. Think of a shell as the vertical sections of the model after slicing that are .48mm thick that composes the walls.

So on average you can get two shell per mm of width when the shells are .48mm wide. This number is a fuzzy math number generated by the slicer based on your nozzle diameter and filament diameter so it is not a number you can change. You have to make the change in shell count to make sure the desired shells count can fit into the model wall width along with infill.

Think of shells like an eggshell that will contain the infill. You don't want so many shells they will leave no room for the infill, you simply want enough shells so you can't see any gaps are see the point where the infill bonds to the insides of the shell. So you would probably use more shells the more translucent your material is in most cases. But a could number for most models is 2 to 3 shells. You also want a few more shells when dealing with screw holes you create in order to make the hole stronger.

Also Simplify3D is not free. It cost $150 USD and may not support your printer directly.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

8 Reply by ilardi1

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Re: Trouble printing a hollow tube

Thanks for your analysis. Your explanation was quite clear and much appreciated. I was trying to make the surface stronger. Obviously I over did it.

Thanks again for your help.

Terry