1 Topic by markthorpe

  • markthorpe
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Topic: Printing with PLA leaves strands in gaps

Hello all,
Went back to PLA after ABS recently and cannot stop strands of melted PLA being left in gaps on the print.
I have tried:
210 degrees at Nozzle all the way down to 180 degrees
Reduced flow down in steps
Retraction distance up in steps to 3.0mm
All in skeinforge.
Nothing seems to make any difference.
Any ideas ?
Cheers!

2 Reply by techbuilder2175

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Re: Printing with PLA leaves strands in gaps

Include pictures please

Powder coated steel enclosure, 1/4" Surface grounded hardened aluminum plate, MK2A Heat bed, .200 Polished fused quartz plate, Machined quick change hot bed mount, E3D hot end, Ramps 1.4, DRV8825 stepper motor drivers

3 Reply by ronsii

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Re: Printing with PLA leaves strands in gaps

'strings' on the print is normal for pla especially when starting/stopping extruding... but yes pics will help so we can see if it is too much stringing or a different issue.

4 Reply by 3d-oodler

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Re: Printing with PLA leaves strands in gaps

I've never had much sting-iness with PLA (though certain objects are an exception).

Even 180C can be too hot.  Given the SD thermistor placement that's around 200C actual.

Try 170C and maybe print a little slower, especially if it's a small print.

5 Reply by davidzomec

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Re: Printing with PLA leaves strands in gaps

I am printing faberdashery PLA  right now at 160 degrees for the extruder. Had to add M302 so it lets me print without preveting the cold extrusion. So far is giving me a good result.

6 Reply by adrian

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Re: Printing with PLA leaves strands in gaps

davidzomec wrote:

I am printing faberdashery PLA  right now at 160 degrees for the extruder. Had to add M302 so it lets me print without preveting the cold extrusion. So far is giving me a good result.

FYI, if you are using the newer Marlins since may M302 has been expanded. It now works thus:

M302 S150

Where SXXX is the new min-extrude temp. M302 with no arguments behaves as before - just now you have the option to expand it to just move to a lower temp and therefore still have some levels of protection.

7 Reply by markthorpe

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Re: Printing with PLA leaves strands in gaps

Thanks guys I will try the cold extrusion. Here's a blurry pic

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8 Reply by 3d-oodler

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Re: Printing with PLA leaves strands in gaps

Looks like you have some holes on the top left layer.  You should calibrate the extruder and flow.

http://solidoodletips.wordpress.com/201 … libration/

http://solidoodletips.wordpress.com/201 … flow-rate/

9 Reply by markthorpe

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Re: Printing with PLA leaves strands in gaps

Seems like there's a problem with that model. I will do these 2 though as I have been meaning to for a while.
Dropping temp to 160 didn't seem to make much difference so this may help.
Thanks,
Mark

10 Reply by markthorpe

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Re: Printing with PLA leaves strands in gaps

Looks like I found the issue thanks all. Extruder/Hotend was 90% blocked with set plastic. Surprised it extruded anything.
Thanks for the help.
Mark