exforma23

This one shows the PVA layer under the PLA

I'm having trouble printing PLA with PVA support. See image below. I've tried a few different patterns and density. I've tried gluestick & hairspray. I tried manual level and Auto. I keep getting the same result of PVA that sticks fine to the bed but then won't stick to itself. It looks like a sloppy mess. Are there settings that can improve this And slightly off topic... I am experimenting with the "support interface" feature. When I enable this feature It gives me the support "roof" that I want. But, it also gives me a support "floor" under the entire object. I'd prefer that the PLA parts that touch the buildplate would be a PLA-to-glass connection rather than the PLA-to-Thin PVA layer-to-Glass connection that is automatically created when "support Interface" is enabled. I hope I am describing this adequately. Is there a way to get the PLA stuck directly to the glass when "support interface" is enabled?

I know this is an old thread but I thought I'd weigh in anyway with some updated info. Currently, I'm using "Inland" 3mm PLA from Amazon ($17.99/1kg roll) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7MERGM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I've used the Inland red and the blue and I think it's working fine. Adhesion is great (hairspray). A tiny amount of stringing that I can wipe off with my fingers (perhaps slightly more than the UM). Pretty much the same print quality as the UM filament that came with my machine. I actually bought these because I preferred the color of the red and the blue over many of the more expensive alternatives that I saw. I'm quite happy with the color and saturation. Very good value overall.

neotko/krys I am now using hairspray and very happy. I get Aqua Net Extra Super Hold at CVS very cheap. I didn't realize how great it works until after I started this thread. I did end up ordering 3D Lac (at a hefty price) but I doubt it will do better than hairspray. Leon3D gave me http://www.voxelfactory.com/ as the closest distributer. I'm in NY State and Voxel is in Montreal. I though I had successfully ordered some. However, the order was canceled with a disclaimer that they can't air ship the product. I don't know why they wouldn't consider ground shipping since I'm less than 200 mi. away. Anyhoo, I did end up having success with krys' recommendation (MachinaCorp in Calgary, CA) It took a bit of wrangling but they were able ground ship 2 cans for an astounding $64 ($20/can + $24 shipping) So, that is one solution if you need the stuff. If I knew then what I know now I would have been happy with my cheap hairspray. :-P

Any news on the additional nozzle sizes for UM3 printcores? I sure would love to be able to print thicker layer heights for utility parts...

I'm working on a hood that will contain the spray so I can leave the glass in place.

noetko, Fireplace glass that I have used (on my fireplace), on a microscopic level, is porous. The claim is that it allows for better direct heat transfer while also being more heat resistant. I wonder if Neoceram glass is. I would expect that would help with adhesion. One thing I will say about having "bulletproof" adhesion with hairspray is that there is noticeable improvement in overall print quality throughout the print. With PVA, I was experiencing less than optimal adhesion. It was most noticeable in the support layers. Since the support layers have very little surface contact, l could see slight "rounding" of sharp corners. I wouldn't have known that this was a clue of not great adhesion until I tried the hairspray. With the hairspray, support corners are sharp and remain sharp for the full height. Now I see how it's supposed to look.

Thanks for all the input! This is definitely plenty more options to think about (especially neotko's glass cleaner exothermic deal) I've done about 5 prints with my aqua net and it's working perfectly and falling off when it gets down to temp in the freezer. I am, however, noticing the warp with the rapid cooling. I think I'll buy a 2nd glass build plate so that I can pull out a build and set it aside to patiently cool. Hopefully, this will mitigate the rapid cool warp effects. This way I can keep the printer humming. I just can't stand to see it sitting idle. :-)

I'm new to the UM3 and have a lot of experience with ABS and hairspray for bed adhesion with a prior printer. Since I got the UM3 I've been been printing PLA and have been less than satisfied with how reliable pva glue is. I tried the gluestick, schmearing it around etc. thin coats, thick coat. I tried a 10/1 mix of old fashioned Elmer's glue brushed on. Keep in mind that I prefer to avoid using a brim if at all possible. Ideally, I prefer to set up my geometry and print settings so that I have no clean-up whatsoever. Finally, just for the heck of it, I tried the old can of "Aqua Net Extra Super Hold" that I still have from my ABS prints... EUREKA! Bed adhesion far superior to glue options, Print is glass smooth on the bottom with not schmear marks. Just pop in into the fridge after is done and it just falls off the glass. Why is this not the method of choice for use with PLA? I can't see any downside.

Thanks krys, So, I checked with MachinaCorp.ca and they have $50 min. international shipping rate. I still don't know if they'll even ship it to the US. I contacted 3DLeon who gave me their Canadian supplier who also won't ship it to the US. Now, 3Dleon is looking into the possibility of directly shipping to me. This is due to US regs air shipping compressed gas. It's unfortunate that this is so hard for US costumers to get. All the reviews that I have seen report that it a marked improvement over glue stick. Personally, I find that glue stick adhesion is not consistent across the build plate surface. I seam to get tiny little patches with poor adhesion when the rest is ok. I have heard of Dimifix. The reviews I see are using it with ABS. When I get around to ABS I might give it a try.

I'm new to this forum so excuse this if its a repeated post. I'm also looking for something better than glue stick for PLA. "3D LAC" aerosol spray has popped up in a few youtube videos as the best bed adhesion solution for PLA. I'd like to hear if others agree. Also, how to get it in the US since it appears to be tough to get outside Europe. Thanks

I just got my UM3E last week. I was getting the same error message even after manually leveling the bed. Active leveling would raise the platform at jam against both nozzles and twist the whole platform a LOT. After talking with fbrc8 support and some troubleshooting they sent out a new set of springs. I set the front two to the recommended 14mm (from bottom of heated plate to top of 3mm alu. platform) and the rear one ends up about 16mm when level. After the new springs, active leveling is working fine. However, I prefer just to use manual leveling. It seams more precise and I can tweak the thumb screws on the fly for slight adjustment to the first layer if something looks a little out of level.

I ordered can from Amazon about a month ago. It's supposed to arrive in about 3 more weeks. I went again today to look at the order and it is no longer for sale on Amazon. It's available in Europe but seams very difficult to find in the US. Does anyone have a good source in the US? Thanks