M200 Solid Prints not so solid !?

[Kickflip]

Hi,

I have 2 machines, a Repicator 2X and a M200.

Does anyone know of other software we can run the Zortrax on to make a 100% solid print? The solid print option is not even close to being solid, its the only thing we dont like about the machine. Apart from that its a great plug and play printer that produces great results. Makerware allows you to change the % of print fill and we can produce 100% fill parts that are much more structural on the 2 X in PET than Zortrax solid fill in PETG . Thanks

Shane

[Rada3Dnl]

The maximum of a Zortrax is about 80%. This is because of the heat buildup in the print. I agree that there prints that you want to print with a higher infill.

[leksus]

Hi!

Zortrax - closed platform, there is no third-party software, so you can’t get really 100% infill with M200.

[aero3D]

Hi Shane.

I’m a multiple M200 owner and I too would love a true solid (100%) fill option. I really cannot understand why it should be so difficult especially as I understand a previous version of Z-Suite and/or firmware used to offer this.

Come on Zortrax. Your customers are asking for this.

[Rada3Dnl]

Nope, you can set the first and last layers to the maximum amount (6) to get a little more stability.

[leksus]

Yes, you can do this. But why you say “Nope”? )

[Marcin_Zortrax]

Hello,

We are working on improved infill as we speak but due to material shrinkage, possibilities are limited, there is no way to reach 100% ever.

[Rada3Dnl]

Sorry, The ‘nope’ was about the 100% infill

[Ihlevnj]

Dont you have the full option?

Download the latest software that try with “full”

[David_Germany]

I too would like to know about this. I have the M200, and Z-SUITE won’t even open after updating OS X to 10.11.4. For now, anyone on Mac, I’d stay away from it until Z-SUITE is updated or something.

[Marcin_Zortrax]

Z-Suite on MAC OS X requires Mono Framework, in case of 10.11.4 (El Capitan) it requires exact version - 4.0.4.4 (http://download.mono-project.com/archive/4.0.4/macos-10-x86/MonoFramework-MDK-4.0.4.4.macos10.xamarin.x86.pkg).

[IMDIMA]

Zortrax team is working on it, right now doing some tests

[PrintAWorld]

yes, it is not solid.

[jayceekeys]

I’ve had a Zortrax for a very long time and it’s never never been able to do solid printing. Zortrax have just chosen not to offer it to date. It’s always said “solid” but it’s never produced it. It completely is possible to print 100% solid infill on other printers so it’s not that it can’t be done - it can. It does however bring complications like making the issues of shrinkage and warping more prevalent which is why it probably hasn’t been implemented. It also makes dimensional accuracy harder to achieve which once again would compromise print quality.

Havind said this I’ve printed thousands of parts and hundreds of orders on 3D hubs and never found the “almost” solid setting to be weak or an issue.

cheers,

Jay

[Kickflip]

Hi Jay,

Yes, agree with you that the dimensional accuracy changes but you would be surprised that its only by about 0.1-0.2 which we easily compensate for in the 3d model.

As for the almost setting on the Zortax , it is as about as tough as the skin on a rice pudding when compared to a higher fill. This weakness is increased if the part also has a overall thickness less than 3mm as the fill de-laminates once the part comes under any load. Your customers either haven’t been using them for structural parts or don’t know any better.

A 98% fill on our 2X using PET is almost 3 x stronger then the zortrax PETG. Using 98% fill also significantly reduces shrinkage and maintains dimensional accuracy while also producing a strong part.

This strength is not only due to the fill being substantially increased , around 30% more than the highest Zortax setting, but also the ability to control the infill pattern to use to your advantage.

Also, by being able to adjust the print nozzle temp and print speed to give the more advanced user a little bit more control when using either a different brand of filament or printing a model that just works better with a slower speed would be a great step forward for Zortrax.

Dont get me wrong here, we love the Zortrax printer but there is significant room for improvement when it comes to flexibility and control for the more serious user.

Shane

[jayceekeys]

Hey Shane,

I totally understand - believe me I used to argue many of the same comments back at the very start of the M200 when they used to originally have their own forums and chat room. They didn’t like the suggestions of their customers so used to take both offline whenever anyone said anything in which in any way offered constructive suggestions. We used to have a phrase “soon-day” when referring to promises of “we’re working on/looking at that” it was the response we got when we asked for likely implementation dates. Many of the features that were promised when we bought the machines way back still haven’t been delivered so it’s best to accept that if it doesn’t do solid then it probably won’t. I’ve accepted nowadays that it does what it does brilliantly but I don’t pin my hopes on them changing it ! If they do it will be a bonus but honestly you won’t influence them doing it.

all the best,

jay

ps with regards to wanting to change the print temperature, check out the awesome Z-Temp http://www.z-temp.co it is a phenomenal add on for your Zortrax and allows a lot of amazing benefits.