So this has been an eventful evening,

3D Printing
,
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So this has been an eventful evening, my PrintrBot + had a god awful harmonizing noise on the X axis during high speed X movements. I found a guide from PrintrBot on how to adjust the current on the stepper motors, and aside from a crash in my Z axis it was a resounding success. My stepper skipped and I didn’t home the machine before doing a G1Z10 cmd so it rammed the bed, which thankfully didn’t damage or misalignment anything.

The entire machine is a LOT quieter now (https://youtu.be/86o4nubO_4A)

I also tried hair spray with a 60 degree bed and the parts stuck beautifully, and I was able to remove them by hand afterwards.

Link to the Guide I used: http://help.printrbot.com/Guide/Adjust+Motor+Current+(Printrboard+Rev+F)/153

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Fantastic prints, though looks like you might be overextruding a bit. Dial it down to improve surface quality.

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@Stephanie_A Someone else here mentioned that a few days ago, I’ve since tested the extrusion rate multiple times and its always spot on.

If I mark 100mm on the filament and go G1E100F90 it extrudes exactly 100mm every time. I tried different lengths and it always extrudes the correct amount.

I did get an average of my filament diameter (1.764) and updated Cura, that did seem to improve things.

As for the over extrusion, my next step was going to be adjusting the flow rate in Cura from 100% to maybe 95%? Would that help?

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When you calibrate your extruder, do it at the same temperature and speed you intend to print at. A small thing that makes a significant difference.

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What specific indicators are you using to say overextrusion?

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I haven’t actually calibrated it yet, but the extrusion tests where done at printing temps.

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@Josh_Ajima other people told me it might be over extension based on the surface quality of my parts, especially small parts.

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The surfaces look great to me as-is.

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@Tim_Visible The bottom and side surfaces are fantastic, and the top surface is great on parts with larger top surfaces, but on smaller top surfaces it looks like the nozzle dragged through the material.

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It looks pretty good to me. It might be overextruding, but not a terrible lot.

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Ah. I was just going by the three photos here.

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I’d say extrusion looks fine. Beautiful prints. What PLA are you using?

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@Adam_Steinmark 3D Solutech that I order from Amazon.ca (http://www.amazon.ca/Solutech-1-75mm-Printer-Filament-Natural/dp/B00U9SSF64/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1442243302&sr=8-2&keywords=3d+solutech+filament+1.75) With Amazon Prime a 2.2lb roll costs me $29.99 and free two day shipping, it’s awesome!

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@Cornelius_Wiens If you have prime check out Hatchbox filaments. I prefer them a little more over 3D Solutech. Cheaper than 3D Solutech in the US but only $0.94 more in Canada.

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@Adam_Steinmark Holy balls they have glow in the dark filament! Thank you! I will definitely check them out.

Can you elaborate as to why you prefer them over 3D Solutech?

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@Cornelius_Wiens I have 3D Solutech’s clear PLA and it sometimes jams but I got it printing nicely. Hatchbox just prints so much easier (at 200C). 3D Solutech requires 210C and in the US it’s a couple bucks more. I buy it when Amazon doesn’t have the colors of Hatchbox I want.

Yeah the glow in the dark is pretty great. I’ve used it a bunch and now my room lights up at with all the little prints. If you check out my G+ page I posted a time-lapse of my Simple Metal printing a 3DBenchy at 80mm/s. Just make sure you have the Ubis 13 with this filament or extra nozzles because apparently the glow in the dark particles in the filament are corrosive to the brass nozzles.