1 Topic by tschultz

  • tschultz
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-03-25
  • Posts: 3

Topic: ABS Splitting apart on tall builds

I've been trying to print some taller parts 3-6" tall with ABS.  I Would like to print something as tall as 12-16" tall.  When printing a 6" tall part it usually splits and warps half way up.  I'm printing with a tip temp of 255, bed temp of 110 and have an enclosure, speed is 40mm/sec.  Don't have problem with it coming off the glass, just splitting and warping somewhere up the part.  Would a higher bed temp help?  I can go as high as 125. Should I slow it down, have less infill?  I've been using 80-100% infill on 3mm walls with a 1mm wall thickness.
I'm using a Airwolf 3d HD, but plan to build something larger if I can figure this out.

I have a t-glase print running right now on a 4" tall part, hopefully that will perform better.  Other than the blobs it seems to be running pretty good.  It's just very slow compared to ABS. It prints at about 18mm/sec, much faster the bead prints as a dashed line.  So this build is suppose to take 25hrs. 

I would like to find something that does't warp as much and can print faster than t-glase. I don't mind epoxy coating afterwards if need be.  If you have any suggestions please let me know.  I want to print small tanks (3-4 gal), pump and motor housings for submersible pumps.

2 Reply by Tomek

  • Tomek
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-01
  • Posts: 710

Re: ABS Splitting apart on tall builds

What color ABS are you using? If you have poor quality black ABS that could be a problem.

That sucks, though, at first I was going to throw a bunch of ideas at you but you're totally on top of everything for the setup.  Maybe you are running too hot, that *might* cause a problem. I'd try 240 celsius, for most blends of ABS 255 is just way too high and perhaps it is becoming brittle.

it doesn't sound like upping your bed temp will solve the problem. It might increase your build temp, I guess. That could help. But it sounds like you have some other overarching problem.

3 Reply by tschultz

  • tschultz
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-03-25
  • Posts: 3

Re: ABS Splitting apart on tall builds

I'm using both black "smart ABS" low warp and some blue stuff that came with the printer.  The black is marginally better than the blue.

I was happy with the t-glase.  It didn't warp or crack at all.  I was supprised at the ability to bridge.  The g-code had a glitch in the part and it bridged one layer across a 3.5" opening without a problem.  The detail isn't as good as the ABS but the part came out flat and we could screw it onto a motor when done.  Appears to be very strong too, stronger than ABS, however it's twice the cost.

4 Reply by ysb

  • ysb
  • ysb
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: quebec, canada
  • Registered: 2012-08-09
  • Posts: 1,164

Re: ABS Splitting apart on tall builds

more heat in the enclosure...

Find all my 3D printable models here
Game of ropes 2 online..Adult only

ysb's Website

5 Reply by MeshMoth

  • MeshMoth
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-08-08
  • Posts: 159

Re: ABS Splitting apart on tall builds

maybe break it down to more parts...

ive read that making the skirt as tall as your part will hold the heat in but it seems like a lot of wasted plastic and never tried it.