Printing 'bottom' quality on support structure

[Matt_El_Cat]

Hello!

I’m very happy with my Deltawasp despite the teething problems (extruder falling down at the end of a print & resurrection issues)… for the most part the print quality is great but wondered if anyone can help me with something…

Here are some photos of a print I’m doing… in a couple of areas you can see the printer has done a good job with the flat / horizontal parts which are printed on support material… the quality of the finish is not great though. Are there some settings I can change to help me print this?

I’ve tried printing the model upside down which was loads better, but Cura doesnt recognise the need for support inside the bowl model and so the flat bottom is not printed well.

any help gratefully received thanks

matt

[eulerO]

Hello Matt, The parts not well printed are top surface, OK. Just two things about u can pay attention: are u selected a inner infill? 20% is usually fine. 2nd issue is about the 3d model: are u sure is well closed? You can try also to rotate your model in cura, and then add the support do you need, for example “touching bulidplate”. Happy printing!

[Matt_El_Cat]

Hi

Thanks for the reply!

The not well printed parts are top surface or bottom depending on which way up the bowl is printed… when rotated Cura doesnt generate support with “touching build plate” Im afraid so I might try Meshmixer

I have tried with infill and I had more or less the same results… this version is not closed because the printer seemed to do good with just a single wall… but I understand what you’re suggesting

I was wondering if I print slower “top/bottom” speed in advanced settings whether that would help… I will probably try that now too, just time consuming to do all the tests!

Thanks again & have a good day!

matt

[reemaj]

Hi Matt,

I agree with eulerO. It might be solidity issue, so it might be the model is not closed off well and that’s the reason you’re not able to print. You can just quickly run it through one of the repairing solutions such as MakePrintable will automatically fix any 3D printing common issues that your model might have. You can also try Netfabb or meshmixer.

[eulerO]

Failing is the only way to learn printing (and not only… ) About supports in cura, u will sede it only in “layers view” and not in model view. Meshmixer is really good for supports expecially with strange models, for bottom or top surface noto work really well, but only you can discover this.

[Matt_El_Cat]

Hi yes I agree, just like learning anything thanks for the advice!

[Matt_El_Cat]

Hi! I tried a solid version already and it was a little better I have netfabb & mesh mixer will take a look at with those thanks!

[joshuah_torres]

Also you can give MakePrintable.com a try.

[Matt_El_Cat]

Thanks that looks like a good resource

This model has already been printed perfectly, I’m just trying to work out how to print it on my machine now

Best,

matt

[PicoTurbine]

@Matt_El_Cat

Hello Mat,

I am a reseller/trainer in the US working with WASP. Regarding your issues " despite the teething problems (extruder falling down at the end of a print & resurrection issues)," I have a remedy for you!

If you are using Cura do the following:

On the left column you will see a tab labeled “Start/End G-code”

Click on end.gcode

locate line “M84;steppers off”

DELETE line M84 (and the blank line it creates)

close the Gap between the top/bottom lines (G28X0Y)/G90)

Hope that helps!

Damian

http://www.picoturbine.com/

[Matt_El_Cat]

Hi Damian

thanks for the info, turns out the belts were loose & needed tightening

best

m

[Matt_El_Cat]

Just for reference I have been using Meshmixer for generating support, more cleaning up but far superior.

[Surge]

Hi Matt,

I am having some similar issues with my 2040. The extruder falls and hits the part or build plate at the end of the print or when the power is shut off. It never did this initially - started a few days ago and it does it all the time. I didn’t change the firmware or Cura version.

I am also having what looks like missing layers on top of the model, and some uneven layers.

Could both issues be caused by belts that are too loose? If so, how did you tighten yours? I have not seen any instructions on this provided by WASP. (Their support is far from great

[Matt_El_Cat]

Hi Surge, agreed the instructions / maintenance isn’t very clear… with 3D printing in general, but lots of resources like this one which is good!

The extruder falling when power is off / end of print is almost definitely the belts being loose, sounds like exactly the same prob I had… support told me to use the supplied allen key and tighten by a 1/4 turn but I just tightened them all up… see attachment!

As for missing layers not sure if same prob… can u post a picture of the model & your Cura settings (basic, advanced & expert) so we can see whats going on… my guess without seeing those images is is the fill and /or internal wall settings…

all best,

matt
Adjusting Belt Tension.pdf (117 KB)

[Surge]

Thanks Matt!

I adjusted the belt tension and cleaned the extruder. I am still having the missing layers issue - see attached.

I have another thread going on this, so probably best if I post a link to that one:

Talk Manufacturing | Hubs

Settings were:

layer height 0.1

shell thickness 1.2

Bottom/top fill thickness 1.2

fill density 50%

filament diameter 1.75

flow 100%

nozzle 0.4

I didn’t make any other changes to the advanced Cura settings, from the default PLA config file that ships with the 2040.

[Matt_El_Cat]

my shell & bottom / tops are thinner than yours… also I’ve never gone above 20% fill density, why do you have yours so high? it maybe that its effectively printing a solid part & can’t handle it…

[Surge]

Ok, will try your settings, thanks.

BTW, I read an article that recommended top/bottom layers be at least 6X the layer height… so yours might be too low.

[Matt_El_Cat]

did you test new settings or resolve your issues?

yeah good point, mine might be too thin am now testing thicker… some of my prints are estimated at 60 hours so I try to shave off settings to get it done faster

[Surge]

Also, Matt, WASP told me not to tighten the bolts that control if the extruder falls down when power is released. Tightening too much will cause premature wear on the motors.

I tightened mine, then backed off 1/2 turn. Will test it now to see if the head stays up.

[Chiara_Ravaioli]

Hi,

I am having the same problem. However, my problem is the bottom layer. the golden model was printed with an ultimaker2 and it is well done; the white one is printed with a WASP delta. Not only in this model, but anytime I print with PLA on the delta the bottom layer is always this ugly and unstable.

Do you guys know how to solve it? perhaps is something on cura?

Thank you!!!

Chiara