1 Topic by IronMan

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Topic: Stratasys Printer

I was at one of our local prototype shops today...he has a Stratasys unit.  Makes awesome prints, dual-extruder, dissolvable support, etc...

While it was running I noticed that during every non-extruding move, the z-axis dropped down about .5mm and then rose quickly back up to continue an extruding move.  They have obviously programmed this for a reason, but frankly I cannot think of why that would be important.

Any insights?  Just curious...

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2 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Stratasys Printer

Keeps from messing up the surface of the print. Slic3r can do it, it's called z-lift.

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3 Reply by Tomek (edited by Tomek 2013-10-29 03:49:13)

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Re: Stratasys Printer

My printer does that too! tongue smile


Their stuff is $200/kg of filament tongue And for some silly reason it always leaves 50ft of filament in the cartridge (grrrrr.)

I have to appreciate that they have a lot of patents and development work that is good, even as I jokingly tease.

It's not just the surface of the print, it's also so you don't knock down thin columns.


Our school's printer just uses PLA as the dis-solvable support (in mild NaOH with ultrasonic cleaner), which makes me wonder why more at-home printers haven't been doing PLA as dissolvable with cheap chinese ultrasonic cleaners. PVA is better for dissolving, but for some reason more expensive to produce.

4 Reply by IronMan (edited by IronMan 2013-10-29 12:51:36)

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Re: Stratasys Printer

elmoret wrote:

Keeps from messing up the surface of the print. Slic3r can do it, it's called z-lift.

Actually, it should probably be called "Z-Drop" :-)  Never noticed it...Thanks!  I'll try it out on my next print.  Is this something that everyone's using as a norm?

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!

5 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Stratasys Printer

It's called z-lift for the same reason z-axis controls seem to work in reverse. For most CNC, the bed stays fixed and the tool head moves. The Solidoodle does it backwards, but the software doesn't care.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

6 Reply by Hazer

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Re: Stratasys Printer

IronMan wrote:

Is this something that everyone's using as a norm?

No. Default has it off. And if you turn it on without a proper backlash solution on your Z axis, you have a good chance of seeing quality problems. Then again, it wouldnt hurt to try it either.

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