Flashforge Creator Pro Benchy Problems

[jman31 0]

Hi,

Not sure if this is the right place or the right forum but I'm going to take a shot. I've got an original Flashforge Creator Pro and I am trying to use the Cura slicer with it. I can't remember where I got it, but I installed a custom profile that was made for this printer. Unfortunately I have had a no luck in getting a decent print. I think I am getting over extrusion and I have played with every setting I could find dealing with this problem. I have included a couple of pictures to show what I am dealing with. The first 3-4mm look great and then all hell breaks loose. The plastic actually builds up higher than the nozzle and it starts plowing the extra plastic off of the sides. I would be extremely grateful for any comments or suggestions.

 

Things I have tried:

1. changing the flow percentage

2. lowering the temperature

3. unchecking the print infill before walls box

4. increasing the retraction distance

5. too many others to remember

 

Here is what I could download of the latest changes I made in Cura. I have always returned to the initial setup if changes haven't worked.

I can't figure out how to post all of my settings so if there are suggestions on this I would love to hear them.

 

[general]
version = 4
name = Draft test
definition = fdmprinter

[metadata]
setting_version = 16
position = 0
type = quality_changes
quality_type = draft
intent_category = default

[values]
material_print_temperature = 170
retraction_amount = 6
retraction_speed = 25
speed_print = 40
wall_thickness = 0.8

 

 

 

Edited November 2, 2022 by jman31

[GregValiant 1,342]

That's really bad.  I'm a long time boater and I can tell you right now that holes along the waterline qualify as a "Bad Thing".

 

Your item #5 really sticks out.  The printer is capable of putting out good prints.  Cura is a good slicer.  I think it's time to go back to square 1 with your settings.

Set Cura up with bland normal settings.  205 print temperature, all flows at 100%, all line widths at nozzle width, print speeds the same for all the different features,  You need to give yourself a baseline to work from and then you can make incremental adjustments.  If the printer is working correctly then normal settings will print a decent Benchy.

 

Cura doesn't actually support IDEX printers as it only uses X and Y axis, but it can be made to work.  Did you do a search here for "FlashForge"?  The topic has come up before.

THIS POST seems to have some info including StartUp gcode and Extruder StartUp gcode.

 

If you have FlashPrint loaded then slice a model in each of the three modes (normal duplicate, mirror).  And take a look at the beginning of each gcode.  The "Raise3D" IDEX printers have specific gcode commands to tell the printer which mode to use (M605 S0, S1 or S2).  By installing that printer 3 times in Cura with the proper gcode command in each printer's startup gcode, a user could achieve all three functions.  If they want "Mirror Mode" then they select their "Mirror" printer.

Edited November 2, 2022 by GregValiant

[jman31 0]

Thanks for the advice and yeah, I don't think it is seaworthy! I will look all of that over and see if I can get somewhere with this.

I did mention in my initial post that I have always returned to the initial setup if the changes haven't worked so I have been working from that baseline but from what you say, it doesn't sound like I have been working from the correct baseline. I will try your advice tonight when I get home from work.

Thanks again!!!

Edited November 2, 2022 by jman31

[jman31 0]

So after some intense testing, including using the Flashforge slicer, I have concluded that this is a hardware issue. Now that leads me too the next question....what in the hardware would cause this? I have checked all of the belts and tightened all of the bolts/screws. I did an extrusion test and it checked out perfect. Anyone have any ideas? I would be grateful for any advice.

 

I have attached a picture of what it looked like with the Flashforge slicer. Same issues as before.

[GregValiant 1,342]

There are really two main possibilities:

The printer is set to "volumetric" extrusion and Cura is set to "normal" extrusion - or vice versa.  They both need to be set to the same mode.

The printer is using 2.85 filament and Cura is set to 1.75 filament - or vice versa.  Once again, they need to be set the same and to the correct filament diameter.

The other thing I can think of is the E-steps are off but you seem confident that they are correct.

 

Post a gcode file of that Benchy.  I have some tools that will allow me to analyze it and to convert it to print on my Ender (if that seems necessary).

That's a nice printer and folks have gotten them to work with Cura.  I gotta believe this is a simple thing...it just knows how to hide well.

[jman31 0]

Thanks again! I will try that stuff when I get home. I'm almost positive the filament is correct.

 

Jman