1 Topic by pshz11

  • pshz11
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Topic: scratching and not appropirate height

Hi all!

My toy has jus arrived and I'm trying to do some prints... and, unfourtunetely, have some problems:

1. Resulting print height is not as designed. I have 3mm height model, but it prints about 2.4mm.
2. Extruder scratches previous layer time to time and white filling all printer is flattering
3. Printed part time to time comes off the print bed (may be one corner, may be other). And it becomes bended when finished printing.

What I've done:
1. Calibrated z-stage (first layer now a little bit flat)
2. Leveled z-stage (with 3 screwses on it).

What else can I do? I would realy appreciate any ideas and guidlines!

2 Reply by pcpoirier

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Re: scratching and not appropirate height

See if this helps
http://www.soliwiki.com/Beginners_First … leshooting

3 Reply by IanJohnson

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Re: scratching and not appropirate height

Sound like the Z isn't moving every time.  This can happen if the electronics get too hot. Try blowing a fan at the back of the printer.  Also check that the voltage going to the Z motor is correct.   There are instructions for that on the troubleshooting page at the Solidoodle site.

4 Reply by solijohn

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Re: scratching and not appropirate height

IanJohnson wrote:

Sound like the Z isn't moving every time.  This can happen if the electronics get too hot. Try blowing a fan at the back of the printer.  Also check that the voltage going to the Z motor is correct.   There are instructions for that on the troubleshooting page at the Solidoodle site.

This is a great idea. If you have an IR thermometer, take a readying to see if we can confirm the higher than normal temperature.

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.

5 Reply by pcpoirier

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Re: scratching and not appropirate height

Check if the z limit switch and screw is secure.

6 Reply by pshz11 (edited by pshz11 2013-04-22 21:09:59)

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Re: scratching and not appropirate height

Thanks for advises! Actually I had to lower z-tab to solve scratching issue. This also solved height problem. And regarding coming of the print bed, support guys recommended to use hair spray! It works!

Now few more stupid questions smile

1. Is any kapton suitable for z-stage? I found and ordered one from HK (100ft 20cm width).
2. Printed item bends in height toward X-axis zero coordinate. It's about 0.5 mm for 1cm of height. How to fix it?
3. I'm trying to bring box with thin walls (1mm in project). They become very fragile and layer are laminated on apply tension. Is there any solution for such kind of printing?

Thank you again for help!

P.S. and yes, electronic are heated up. BUT when I open window to cool them down, it also cools down print bed sad I think, I have to install cooler on electronic board...

7 Reply by IanJohnson

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Re: scratching and not appropirate height

For thin walls, it's best to make them a multiple of the thread width.  If the thread width is .42, then walls that are .82 or 1.26 would be better.  If your wall was 1.68mm wide and you printed with 2 perimeters, then it would draw two perimeters for the outside, 2 for the inside, and no empty space left between them.  A 1mm wall would have a .42mm thread for the outside, a .42mm thread for the inside, and then a gap of .16mm between them which is too narrow to be filled.  If the wall was 1.26mm thick, then the gap would be .42mm wide and it could draw a single line to fill the space.

8 Reply by pshz11

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Re: scratching and not appropirate height

Is the thread size the same as the nozzle of extruder? Should I consider that my .35mm nozzle generates .35 thread and it means that it's just .5mm I have to add to my 1mm walls go make them solid?