1 Topic by MungoBBQ

  • MungoBBQ
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-04-10
  • Posts: 13

Topic: How can I improve the details on these holes?

Hey everybody,

I've started printing on my new SD4, and I'm fairly pleased with the results so far. To learn more about the printing process I am doing some stuff from Thingiverse, and right now I'm attempting the ubiquitous gear heart.

In the photo you can see some of the gears I've printed, but as you can see, the holes are not great. They are not round enough, and in general the inside looks pretty messy. The outside perimeters are actually quite nice, even though I've got some moire or similar patterns going on, but not too shabby.

Anyway, is there something I can do to improve the details, so I get better holes and circles?

Post's attachments

3dprint_example.jpg 192.68 kb, file has never been downloaded. 

You don't have the permssions to download the attachments of this post.

2 Reply by grob

  • grob
  • grob
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2014-01-02
  • Posts: 900

Re: How can I improve the details on these holes?

Usually you get out-of-round holes from backlash in the y-axis on these machines.
Running the solidoodle official belt-tensioning procedure http://wiki.solidoodle.com/belt-adjustment can help, but also have a look at this thread for inspiration: http://www.soliforum.com/topic/4824/how … -for-ever/
Hope that helps you on your way. smile

SD3. Mk2b + glass, heated enclosure, GT2 belts, direct drive y shaft, linear bearings, bowden-feed E3D v5 w/ 0.9° stepper
Smoothieboard via Octoprint on RPi

3 Reply by MungoBBQ

  • MungoBBQ
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-04-10
  • Posts: 13

Re: How can I improve the details on these holes?

Thanks, I'll take a look at checking the belts.

4 Reply by Photog

  • Photog
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-11-26
  • Posts: 199

Re: How can I improve the details on these holes?

1) Slow down print speed.
2) Edit STL file to make hole have less "sides", I.E.  if it's really small make it a triangle or hexagon..
3) Fix backlash in belts.
4) Add fan to extruder.
5) Add two 20mm stick-on heatsinks to each X/Y/Z motor
6) Add one 10mm stick-on heatsink to each stepper chip on mobo
7) Add active cooling onto motherboard to cool stepper chips


I found all that has helped my circles vastly. smile

My SD3:  Clear plexiglass case, case heater, X axis stabilizer, Z axis stabilizer, thumb screws, filament guide, heatsinks on all motors, extruder fan, controller fan, heatsinks on motherboard, Y rod pillow block, USB and Power on/off switch, fully calibrated including trimpot tuning. Am I missing anything?