Print quality

[th3o 0]

I have problems with printing with overhanging parts like the eyes and eyebrows in the picture. There are these blobs(? I don't know how these are called).

I tried different speeds and temperatures, but I can't find the right settings.

How do I avoid this?

 

[IRobertI 520]

It seems Dropbox doesn't like hotlinked pictures. Upload your images to the forum instead and you wont have to worry about things like that

It's easier to give advice if you share what settings you used to produce that print. It looks to me like you printed a bit fast and hot or that the fans weren't going full blast. Often cooling is the main culprit on small prints like these. Printing two at once, making sure the fans are fun full blast, slowing down, considering lowering the temperature of the heated bed are all things that will help.

 

[th3o 0]

Robert, thank you for your quick respons!

These are my settings:

 

[profile]
layer_height = 0.06
wall_thickness = 0.8
retraction_enable = True
solid_layer_thickness = 0.6
fill_density = 20
nozzle_size = 0.4
print_speed = 35
print_temperature = 220
print_temperature2 = 0
print_temperature3 = 0
print_temperature4 = 0
print_bed_temperature = 70
support = None
platform_adhesion = Brim
support_dual_extrusion = Both
wipe_tower = False
wipe_tower_volume = 15
ooze_shield = False
filament_diameter = 2.85
filament_diameter2 = 0
filament_diameter3 = 0
filament_diameter4 = 0
filament_flow = 100.0
retraction_speed = 40.0
retraction_amount = 4.5
retraction_dual_amount = 16.5
retraction_min_travel = 1.5
retraction_combing = True
retraction_minimal_extrusion = 0.02
retraction_hop = 0.0
bottom_thickness = 0.2
object_sink = 0.0
overlap_dual = 0.15
travel_speed = 250.0
bottom_layer_speed = 20
infill_speed = 0.0
inset0_speed = 0.0
insetx_speed = 0.0
cool_min_layer_time = 5
fan_enabled = True
skirt_line_count = 1
skirt_gap = 3.0
skirt_minimal_length = 150.0
fan_full_height = 0.5
fan_speed = 100
fan_speed_max = 100
cool_min_feedrate = 10
cool_head_lift = False
solid_top = True
solid_bottom = True
fill_overlap = 15
support_type = Grid
support_angle = 60
support_fill_rate = 15
support_xy_distance = 0.7
support_z_distance = 0.15
spiralize = False
simple_mode = False
brim_line_count = 20
raft_margin = 5.0
raft_line_spacing = 3.0
raft_base_thickness = 0.3
raft_base_linewidth = 1.0
raft_interface_thickness = 0.27
raft_interface_linewidth = 0.4
raft_airgap = 0.22
raft_surface_layers = 2
fix_horrible_union_all_type_a = True
fix_horrible_union_all_type_b = False
fix_horrible_use_open_bits = False
fix_horrible_extensive_stitching = False
plugin_config = (lp1
	(dp2
	S'params'
	p3
	(dp4
	S'targetL'
	p5
	V3
	sS'extruderTwo'
	p6
	V
	sS'platformTemp'
	p7
	V55
	p8
	sS'targetZ'
	p9
	V
	sS'flowrate'
	p10
	V
	sS'fanSpeed'
	p11
	V
	sS'speed'
	p12
	V
	sS'extruderOne'
	p13
	V
	ssS'filename'
	p14
	S'TweakAtZ.py'
	p15
	sa.
object_center_x = -1
object_center_y = -1
[alterations]
start.gcode = ;Sliced at: {day} {date} {time}
	;Basic settings: Layer height: {layer_height} Walls: {wall_thickness} Fill: {fill_density}
	;Print time: {print_time}
	;Filament used: {filament_amount}m {filament_weight}g
	;Filament cost: {filament_cost}
	;M190 S{print_bed_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own bed temperature line
	;M109 S{print_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
	G21        ;metric values
	G90        ;absolute positioning
	M82        ;set extruder to absolute mode
	M107       ;start with the fan off
	G28 X0 Y0  ;move X/Y to min endstops
	G28 Z0     ;move Z to min endstops
	G1 Z15.0 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform down 15mm
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length
	G1 F200 E3              ;extrude 3mm of feed stock
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length again
	G1 F{travel_speed}
	;Put printing message on LCD screen
	M117 Printing...
end.gcode = ;End GCode
	M104 S0                     ;extruder heater off
	M140 S0                     ;heated bed heater off (if you have it)
	G91                                    ;relative positioning
	G1 E-1 F300                            ;retract the filament a bit before lifting the nozzle, to release some of the pressure
	G1 Z+0.5 E-5 X-20 Y-20 F{travel_speed} ;move Z up a bit and retract filament even more
	G28 X0 Y0                              ;move X/Y to min endstops, so the head is out of the way
	M84                         ;steppers off
	G90                         ;absolute positioning
	;{profile_string}
start2.gcode = ;Sliced at: {day} {date} {time}
	;Basic settings: Layer height: {layer_height} Walls: {wall_thickness} Fill: {fill_density}
	;Print time: {print_time}
	;Filament used: {filament_amount}m {filament_weight}g
	;Filament cost: {filament_cost}
	;M190 S{print_bed_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own bed temperature line
	;M104 S{print_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
	;M109 T1 S{print_temperature2} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
	;M109 T0 S{print_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
	G21        ;metric values
	G90        ;absolute positioning
	M107       ;start with the fan off
	G28 X0 Y0  ;move X/Y to min endstops
	G28 Z0     ;move Z to min endstops
	G1 Z15.0 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform down 15mm
	T1                      ;Switch to the 2nd extruder
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length
	G1 F200 E10             ;extrude 10mm of feed stock
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length again
	G1 F200 E-{retraction_dual_amount}
	T0                      ;Switch to the first extruder
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length
	G1 F200 E10             ;extrude 10mm of feed stock
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length again
	G1 F{travel_speed}
	;Put printing message on LCD screen
	M117 Printing...
end2.gcode = ;End GCode
	M104 T0 S0                     ;extruder heater off
	M104 T1 S0                     ;extruder heater off
	M140 S0                     ;heated bed heater off (if you have it)
	G91                                    ;relative positioning
	G1 E-1 F300                            ;retract the filament a bit before lifting the nozzle, to release some of the pressure
	G1 Z+0.5 E-5 X-20 Y-20 F{travel_speed} ;move Z up a bit and retract filament even more
	G28 X0 Y0                              ;move X/Y to min endstops, so the head is out of the way
	M84                         ;steppers off
	G90                         ;absolute positioning
	;{profile_string}
start3.gcode = ;Sliced at: {day} {date} {time}
	;Basic settings: Layer height: {layer_height} Walls: {wall_thickness} Fill: {fill_density}
	;Print time: {print_time}
	;Filament used: {filament_amount}m {filament_weight}g
	;Filament cost: {filament_cost}
	;M190 S{print_bed_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own bed temperature line
	;M104 S{print_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
	;M109 T1 S{print_temperature2} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
	;M109 T0 S{print_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
	G21        ;metric values
	G90        ;absolute positioning
	M107       ;start with the fan off
	G28 X0 Y0  ;move X/Y to min endstops
	G28 Z0     ;move Z to min endstops
	G1 Z15.0 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform down 15mm
	T2                      ;Switch to the 2nd extruder
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length
	G1 F200 E10             ;extrude 10mm of feed stock
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length again
	G1 F200 E-{retraction_dual_amount}
	T1                      ;Switch to the 2nd extruder
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length
	G1 F200 E10             ;extrude 10mm of feed stock
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length again
	G1 F200 E-{retraction_dual_amount}
	T0                      ;Switch to the first extruder
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length
	G1 F200 E10             ;extrude 10mm of feed stock
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length again
	G1 F{travel_speed}
	;Put printing message on LCD screen
	M117 Printing...
end3.gcode = ;End GCode
	M104 T0 S0                     ;extruder heater off
	M104 T1 S0                     ;extruder heater off
	M104 T2 S0                     ;extruder heater off
	M140 S0                     ;heated bed heater off (if you have it)
	G91                                    ;relative positioning
	G1 E-1 F300                            ;retract the filament a bit before lifting the nozzle, to release some of the pressure
	G1 Z+0.5 E-5 X-20 Y-20 F{travel_speed} ;move Z up a bit and retract filament even more
	G28 X0 Y0                              ;move X/Y to min endstops, so the head is out of the way
	M84                         ;steppers off
	G90                         ;absolute positioning
	;{profile_string}
start4.gcode = ;Sliced at: {day} {date} {time}
	;Basic settings: Layer height: {layer_height} Walls: {wall_thickness} Fill: {fill_density}
	;Print time: {print_time}
	;Filament used: {filament_amount}m {filament_weight}g
	;Filament cost: {filament_cost}
	;M190 S{print_bed_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own bed temperature line
	;M104 S{print_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
	;M109 T2 S{print_temperature2} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
	;M109 T1 S{print_temperature2} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
	;M109 T0 S{print_temperature} ;Uncomment to add your own temperature line
	G21        ;metric values
	G90        ;absolute positioning
	M107       ;start with the fan off
	G28 X0 Y0  ;move X/Y to min endstops
	G28 Z0     ;move Z to min endstops
	G1 Z15.0 F{travel_speed} ;move the platform down 15mm
	T3                      ;Switch to the 4th extruder
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length
	G1 F200 E10             ;extrude 10mm of feed stock
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length again
	G1 F200 E-{retraction_dual_amount}
	T2                      ;Switch to the 3th extruder
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length
	G1 F200 E10             ;extrude 10mm of feed stock
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length again
	G1 F200 E-{retraction_dual_amount}
	T1                      ;Switch to the 2nd extruder
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length
	G1 F200 E10             ;extrude 10mm of feed stock
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length again
	G1 F200 E-{retraction_dual_amount}
	T0                      ;Switch to the first extruder
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length
	G1 F200 E10             ;extrude 10mm of feed stock
	G92 E0                  ;zero the extruded length again
	G1 F{travel_speed}
	;Put printing message on LCD screen
	M117 Printing...
end4.gcode = ;End GCode
	M104 T0 S0                     ;extruder heater off
	M104 T1 S0                     ;extruder heater off
	M104 T2 S0                     ;extruder heater off
	M104 T3 S0                     ;extruder heater off
	M140 S0                     ;heated bed heater off (if you have it)
	G91                                    ;relative positioning
	G1 E-1 F300                            ;retract the filament a bit before lifting the nozzle, to release some of the pressure
	G1 Z+0.5 E-5 X-20 Y-20 F{travel_speed} ;move Z up a bit and retract filament even more
	G28 X0 Y0                              ;move X/Y to min endstops, so the head is out of the way
	M84                         ;steppers off
	G90                         ;absolute positioning
	;{profile_string}
support_start.gcode = 
support_end.gcode = 
cool_start.gcode = 
cool_end.gcode = 
replace.csv = 
preswitchextruder.gcode = ;Switch between the current extruder and the next extruder, when printing with multiple extruders.
	;This code is added before the T(n)
postswitchextruder.gcode = ;Switch between the current extruder and the next extruder, when printing with multiple extruders.
	;This code is added after the T(n)

And I added the picture to my albums. Being new here I had some troubles adding the pictures, so thanks for the explanation

 

 

[th3o 0]

I start the heated bed at 70c and lower to 55C after layer 3.

Nozzle temp: 210C.

 

[3dmaker4u 0]

Higher layer height (it will be ok even with 0.2 mm) , full fan, print slower (I did 10 mm/s .

 

[gr5 2,167]

It looks like maybe your fans aren't working. Did you make sure the side fans were working?

Lower temperatures will help you so lower bed to 60C (50C is fine also) - don't start at 70C and then lower to 55C because the part won't stick as well due to the stress because glass and PLA shrink at different rates.

did the 210C help? Was it any better? If better but not good enough, try 200C. I usually print fine at 220C.

Also I think you will get better quality at .1 or .15mm layers. Or even .2mm layers maybe. .1 should be fine. That part looks a little difficult but I think you can do much much better than in the picture.

Are you sure the fans were working?

If all this helps quite a bit and you want it even better then print it even slower. But you should be able to get quite good quality at 35mm/sec.

 

[th3o 0]

@3Dmaker4U I did print one at 0.2 mm layer hight, 10 mm/s and 185C. Almost no blobs but some small holes in it.

@gr5 All the fans 3 are working.

I had problems before with sticking to the bed. Now when I start at 70C and at layer 3 I lower to 55C I don't have sticking problems at all.

It looks like a lower temperature is better. I had almost no blobs at 185C, but I think a little bit of under extrusion. Maybe I have to try 190C.

At the moment it is printeing at .1 . See how that turns out.

Fans are working.

I will upload some pictures later on with the different settings.

 

[gr5 2,167]

The colder the temperature, the slower you have to print. So if 185C, .2mm layer had a few holes, 185C, .1mm layer should be much easier (printing at half the volume speed). Or try 190C and go up to 20mm/sec maybe?

 

[3dmaker4u 0]

The holes are perhaps "top layer" style, and I can bet they appear on the upper part of Marvin. More perimeters and more top layers

Here is what I used (Slic3r), but please take into account I printed with ABS (started at 240C and dropped to 210C after first layer):

; layer_height = 0.2

; perimeters = 7

; top_solid_layers = 4

; bottom_solid_layers = 2

; fill_density = 0.2

; perimeter_speed = 10

; infill_speed = 10

; travel_speed = 100

; nozzle_diameter = 0.39

; filament_diameter = 1.70

; extrusion_multiplier = 1

; perimeters extrusion width = 0.40mm

; infill extrusion width = 0.40mm

; solid infill extrusion width = 0.40mm

; top infill extrusion width = 0.40mm

; first layer extrusion width = 0.40mm

 

[th3o 0]

Here are the pictures with the different settings.

 

These are the settings I used:

 

 

Marvin Profile Bed temp Nozzle temp Layer thickness

Test 1 Marvin test 1 70->55 210C 0.1 mm

Test 2 Marvin test 2 70->55 190C 0.1 mm

Test 3 Marvin test 3 70->55 185C 0.1 mm

Test 4 Marvin test 4 70->55 185C 0.2 mm

Test 5 Marvin test 5 70->55 185C 0.1 mm

Test 6 Marvin test 6 70->55 190C 0.15 mm

You can see the holes that I was talking about at test 4, above the right eye and on the head. They are also around the right leg, but that is not really visible on the picture.

Altough I think the result is not bad, as a newbie I try to figure out what different settings do and what the printer is capable of.

Is there still room for improvement?

 

[3dmaker4u 0]

If you refer to the tiny holes, here and there, they are most probably due to a bit too low flow. It is less visible on lower layer heights, but appear for 0.2 mm (and for 0.15 mm a bit). Perhaps increasing the flow just a bit will "complete" the external perimeter, just before the retraction starts. If there are other holes, I might be looking for the wrong thing or in the wrong place

To benchmark with Marvin, well, you may have a look here and/or open a hub on 3D Hubs and you'll be tested

And improvement, perhaps printing overhangs with 0.1 mm - more fan, less speed, whatever...

 

[th3o 0]

Thank you 3Dmaker4U for your respons. I'll try increasing the flow. See what that will do with the tiny holes.

I already opened a hub at 3D hubs.

I'm just experimenting with the settings to learn to know my machine and the 3D printing proces a little better.

 

[gr5 2,167]

I can see that as you lowered the temperature you got better quality on the overhangs (as expected) but you also got some holes (underextrusion). To fix the holes you need to slow down the print speed. At 185C PLA is more like toothpaste (versus at 220C it is like honey).

So the extruder is working much harder and the pressures in the nozzle are very high. Around 100PSI. That's a lot. Anyway the fix is to just print slower. You could try increasing the flow but your extruder may skip and then quality will be even worse. So instead just lower the speed by about another 2X. Try 20mm/sec. Quality will be amazing.

 

[th3o 0]

The print speed was already 20 mm/s. I tried another one, but now with Colorfabb filament.

Temp 185, Speed = 20mm/s, Layer thickness = 0.1

Filament = Colorfabb

It looks a bit "hairy" now. I think I have to print Colorfabb with a slightly higher teperature.

The tiny holes are still visable. Did not try to increase the flow yet, like 3Dmaker4U suggested.

I will try that with the next one in combination with a slightly higher temperature.