Test Print Seemed To Work, But Others Didn't...

[BackstreetZAFU]

Hi Everyone,

It’s matt again. I appreciate everyone’s willingness to help out with my issues while I try to configure my FlashForge Creator Pro.

I’ve attached three more sets of images.

• The first one (the round tube) is the test_left.x3g model that came with the printer software. It printed out no problem - the lines were still a little noticeable for me, but there were no skipped layers, and the waffle on the bottom printed smoothly and was easy to peel off.

• The second image is a part I tried to print after the test. It’s a torso, about three inches tall. It came out “okay” but, as you can see, there is still some separation with the bands of filament, and it’s not smooth.

• The final set of pictures is a print I set up and activated, then went to bed. It was supposed to be the second model, but about 50% larger. I have NO idea what happened.

Before I printed the two torsos, I cleaned the extruder gears as suggested by another member. I noticed some smaller pieces of debris (which were blue, even though my filaments are grey and purple), so I got those out. I also fed and refed the filament lines through the nozzle to make sure everything was clear.

The one thing I didn’t do was apply painter’s tape and a glue stick to the bed. I didn’t have any painter’s tape, and I didn’t want to risk just applying the glue stick to the bed and possibly ruining it. Can that be done without damage to the surface? I’ve got some painter’s tape now, so I’ll be trying that method tonight to see if it helps.

I also thought it might be beneficial to paste my configuration settings into this thread, in case anyone can see any glaring errors that would cause such screw ups.

If ANYBODY has ANY IDEAS, I’d be VERY GRATEFUL. This is only my first week with the printer, so I apologize for the annoyance of questions. But, you all seem very knowledgeable, and I appreciate the help.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
-matt

CONFIGURATION SETTINGS:

# generated by Slic3r 1.1.7 on Wed Nov 4 22:56:17 2015

avoid_crossing_perimeters = 0

bed_size = 228,150

bed_temperature = 110

bottom_solid_layers = 3

bridge_acceleration = 0

bridge_fan_speed = 100

bridge_flow_ratio = 1

bridge_speed = 60

brim_width = 5

complete_objects = 0

cooling = 1

default_acceleration = 0

disable_fan_first_layers = 1

dont_support_bridges = 1

duplicate_distance = 6

end_gcode = M73 P100 ; end build progress\nG162 X Y F2500; home X and Y axes\nM18; disable all stepper motors\nM109 S0 T0; set bed temperature to 0\nM104 S0 T1; set extruder temperature to 0\nM70 P5; Display “We <3 Making Things!” message\nM72 P1; Play Ta-Da song\n

external_perimeter_speed = 70%

external_perimeters_first = 0

extra_perimeters = 1

extruder_clearance_height = 20

extruder_clearance_radius = 20

extruder_offset = 0x0,0x0

extrusion_axis = E

extrusion_multiplier = 1,1

extrusion_width = 0

fan_always_on = 0

fan_below_layer_time = 60

filament_diameter = 1.8,1.8

fill_angle = 45

fill_density = 15%

fill_pattern = rectilinear

first_layer_acceleration = 0

first_layer_bed_temperature = 110

first_layer_extrusion_width = 200%

first_layer_height = 0.35

first_layer_speed = 30%

first_layer_temperature = 230,230

g0 = 0

gap_fill_speed = 20

gcode_arcs = 0

gcode_comments = 0

gcode_flavor = sailfish

infill_acceleration = 0

infill_every_layers = 1

infill_extruder = 1

infill_extrusion_width = 0

infill_first = 0

infill_only_where_needed = 0

infill_speed = 80

interface_shells = 0

layer_gcode =

layer_height = 0.2

max_fan_speed = 100

min_fan_speed = 35

min_print_speed = 10

min_skirt_length = 5

notes =

nozzle_diameter = 0.4,0.4

only_retract_when_crossing_perimeters = 1

ooze_prevention = 0

output_filename_format = [input_filename_base].gcode

overhangs = 1

perimeter_acceleration = 0

perimeter_extruder = 1

perimeter_extrusion_width = 0

perimeter_speed = 60

perimeters = 2

post_process = /Applications/GPX/gpx

print_center = 0,0

raft_layers = 0

resolution = 0

retract_before_travel = 2,2

retract_layer_change = 1,1

retract_length = 2,2

retract_length_toolchange = 10,10

retract_lift = 0,0

retract_restart_extra = 0,0

retract_restart_extra_toolchange = 0,0

retract_speed = 30,30

seam_position = aligned

skirt_distance = 6

skirt_height = 2

skirts = 5

slowdown_below_layer_time = 30

small_perimeter_speed = 30

solid_fill_pattern = rectilinear

solid_infill_below_area = 70

solid_infill_every_layers = 0

solid_infill_extrusion_width = 0

solid_infill_speed = 60

spiral_vase = 0

standby_temperature_delta = -5

start_gcode = ;\n;\n;SUMMARY\n;\n;first layer temperature = [first_layer_temperature_0]C\n;temperature = [temperature_0]C\n;first layer bed temperature = [first_layer_bed_temperature]C\n;bed temperature = [bed_temperature]C\n;\n;first layer height = [first_layer_height]mm\n;layer height = [layer_height]mm\n;z_offset = [z_offset]mm\n;perimeters = [perimeters]\n;fill density = [fill_density]\n;infill every n layers = [infill_every_layers]\n;skirts = [skirts]\n;brim width = [brim_width]mm\n;raft layers = [raft_layers]\n;support material = [support_material]\n;support material threshold = [support_material_threshold] degrees\n;support material enforced for first n layers = [support_material_enforce_layers]\n;support material extruder = [support_material_extruder]\n;\n;first layer speed = [first_layer_speed]\n;perimeter speed = [perimeter_speed]mm/s\n;small perimeter speed = [small_perimeter_speed]\n;external perimeter speed = [external_perimeter_speed]\n;infill speed = [infill_speed]mm/s\n;solid infill speed = [solid_infill_speed]\n;top solid infill speed = [top_solid_infill_speed]\n;support material speed = [support_material_speed]mm/s\n;gap fill speed = [gap_fill_speed]mm/s\n;travel speed = [travel_speed]mm/s\n;bridge speed = [bridge_speed]mm/s\n;bridge flow ratio = [bridge_flow_ratio]\n;slowdown if layer time is less than = [slowdown_below_layer_time]secs\n;minimum print speed = [min_print_speed]mm/s\n;\n;bottom solid layers = [bottom_solid_layers]\n;top solid layers = [top_solid_layers]\n;\n;\n;EXTRUSION\n;\n;filament diameter = [filament_diameter_0]mm\n;nozzle diameter = [nozzle_diameter_0]mm\n;bridge flow ratio = [bridge_flow_ratio]\n;extrusion axis = [extrusion_axis]\n;extrusion multiplier = [extrusion_multiplier_0]\n;extrusion width = [extrusion_width]mm\n;first layer extrusion width = [first_layer_extrusion_width]mm\n;perimeter extrusion width = [perimeter_extrusion_width]mm\n;infill extrusion width = [infill_extrusion_width]mm\n;solid infill extrusion width = [solid_infill_extrusion_width]mm\n;top infill extrusion width = [top_infill_extrusion_width]mm\n;support material extrusion width = [support_material_extrusion_width]mm\n;\n;\n;SUPPORT\n;\n;raft layers = [raft_layers]\n;brim width = [brim_width]mm\n;support material = [support_material]\n;support material threshold = [support_material_threshold] degrees\n;support material enforced for first n layers = [support_material_enforce_layers]\n;support material extruder = [support_material_extruder]\n;support material extrusion width = [support_material_extrusion_width]mm\n;support material interface layers = [support_material_interface_layers]\n;support material interface spacing = [support_material_interface_spacing]mm\n;support material pattern = [support_material_pattern]\n;support material angle = [support_material_angle] degrees\n;support material spacing = [support_material_spacing]mm\n;support material speed = [support_material_speed]mm/s\n;\n;\n;EVERYTHING ELSE\n;\n;complete objects = [complete_objects]\n;cooling enabled = [cooling]\n;default acceleration = [default_acceleration]mm/s/s\n;disable fan for first layers = [disable_fan_first_layers]\n;duplicate = [duplicate]\n;duplicate distance = [duplicate_distance]mm\n;duplicate grid = [duplicate_grid]\n;external perimeters first = [external_perimeters_first]\n;extra perimeters = [extra_perimeters]\n;extruder clearance height = [extruder_clearance_height]mm\n;extruder clearance radius = [extruder_clearance_radius]mm\n;extruder offset = [extruder_offset]mm\n;fan always on = [fan_always_on]\n;fan below layer time = [fan_below_layer_time]secs\n;fill angle = [fill_angle] degrees\n;fill pattern = [fill_pattern]\n;gcode arcs = [gcode_arcs]\n;gcode comments = [gcode_comments]\n;gcode flavor = [gcode_flavor]\n;infill acceleration = [infill_acceleration]mm/s/s\n;infill extruder = [infill_extruder]\n;infill first = [infill_first]\n;infill only where needed = [infill_only_where_needed]\n;minimum skirt length = [min_skirt_length]mm\n;only retract when crossing perimeters = [only_retract_when_crossing_perimeters]\n;perimeter acceleration = [perimeter_acceleration]mm/s/s\n;perimeter extruder = [perimeter_extruder]\n;randomize start = [randomize_start]\n;resolution = [resolution]mm\n;retract before travel = [retract_before_travel_0]\n;retract on layer change = [retract_layer_change_0]\n;retract length = [retract_length_0]mm\n;retract length on tool change = [retract_length_toolchange_0]mm\n;retract lift = [retract_lift_0]\n;retract extra distance on restart = [retract_restart_extra_0]mm\n;retract extra on tool change = [retract_restart_extra_toolchange_0]mm\n;retract speed = [retract_speed_0]mm/s\n;rotate = [rotate] degrees\n;scale = [scale]\n;skirt distance = [skirt_distance]mm\n;skirt height = [skirt_height]mm\n;solid fill pattern = [solid_fill_pattern]\n;solid infill below area = [solid_infill_below_area]mm (sq)\n;solid infill every n layers = [solid_infill_every_layers]\n;\n;\n;- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -\n;\n;\nT1; set primary extruder\nM73 P0; enable show build progress\nM109 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] T0; heat bed up to first layer temperature\nM104 S[first_layer_temperature_0] T1; set nozzle heater to first layer temperature\nM103; disable RPM\nG21; set units to mm\nG162 X Y F6000; home XY axes maximum\nG161 Z F9000; home Z axis minimum\nG92 Z0; set Z to 0\nM132 X Y Z A B; Recall stored home offsets\nG90; set positioning to absolute\nG1 Z30; move Z to waiting height\nG1 X-95 Y-73 Z30 F14000; move to waiting position (front left corner of print bed)\nG130 X0 Y0 A0 B0; set stepper motor vref to lower value while heating\nM6; wait for bed and extruder to heat up\nG130 X127 Y127 A127 B127; set stepper motor vref to defaults\nM108 T1 R3; set extruder speed\nG92 E0; set E to 0\nG90; use absolute coordinates\nM320; acceleration enabled for all commands that follow\nG1 Z[first_layer_height] F6000.000; move to first layer height\nG1 X100 Y-73 F14000.000; move to front right corner of bed\nG1 X-90 Y-73 E24 F2000.000; extrude a line of filament across the front edge of the bed\nG4 P2000; wait for ooze to slow\nG1 Z0 F6000.000; lower nozzle height to 0\nG1 X-95; wipe nozzle\nG1 Z[first_layer_height] F6000.000; set nozzle to first layer height\nG1 F12000; ensure fast travel to first print move\nG92 E0; set E to 0 again\nM73 P0; reset build progress to 0\n

support_material = 0

support_material_angle = 0

support_material_enforce_layers = 0

support_material_extruder = 1

support_material_extrusion_width = 0

support_material_interface_extruder = 1

support_material_interface_layers = 3

support_material_interface_spacing = 0

support_material_interface_speed = 100%

support_material_pattern = pillars

support_material_spacing = 2.5

support_material_speed = 60

support_material_threshold = 0

temperature = 230,230

thin_walls = 1

threads = 2

toolchange_gcode =

top_infill_extrusion_width = 0

top_solid_infill_speed = 50

top_solid_layers = 3

travel_speed = 130

use_firmware_retraction = 0

use_relative_e_distances = 0

vibration_limit = 0

wipe = 0,0

z_offset = 0

[Anssi_1]

I didnt read everything but seems your bed is hot and you could use active cooling.

[BackstreetZAFU]

Haha, I know it was a lot to read. Sorry about that.

As I said, I’m new to 3D printing. What is active cooling, exactly, and how would I activate it on my printer?

Thank you for your reply!

-matt

[Anssi_1]

Take alook at this:

Active Cooling Fan Duct for Replicator 1 / Duplicator 4 / FlashForge by thruit00

[eckerj]

Active cooling is where you get a fan to blow air onto the fresh-out-of-the-nozzle extruded filament.

This is usually done with a mounting bracket that attaches to your extruder/gantry assembly.

You might consider using a native X3G slicer (Simplify3D, Makerware, ReplicatorG). There are users out there that use Slic3r->X3G, but not nearly as many as people who use native X3G slicers.

If you decide to go the painter’s tape and/or gluestick route, you should become familiar with leveling your print bed.

I’m glad to see your enthusiasm towards 3D printing You should spend some time on the google forums for Flashforge, it’s a huge repository of information related to your specific printer. Go back and read every thread for the past few weeks and use the search function.

3D printing at this point isn’t quite to the point of “push a button, receive print” I’ve been doing this for a couple years, and there’s a LOT that I still don’t know. Remember, the more you know, the more you know you don’t know… lol

[Anssi_1]

I suggest if you take alook at astroprint remember that your sailfish does not work correctly its 5,88 or sonething smaller on xy plane.

if you need more help i suggest also going to IRC (server freenode) and #reprap. There you find 24h talk on 3d printing.

[3Dreamsaltillo]

Hi, what material are you printing? bed temp (for me seems really high) the max I use for ABS is 85 º C , another thing is the infill, the min amount that worked for me to have good surface finish is 20%; are you printing on the aluminum plate? I use a 3mm common glass on top of that , I can apply anything (hair spray, ABS slurry, glue, tape) been working with this and is pretty good; if you are printing ABS I would not reccomend the cooling. infill speed is 80 mm/s or 80% of the speed? if is 80 mm/s i think is too fast. hope some of this helps; and bed leveling is very, very important…

[BackstreetZAFU]

Hey!

Thanks for the reply.

I’m using what I assume is ABS - I guess I never checked, but it’s what came with the printer, and the printer manual refers to ABS.

I am printing on the aluminum plate (with the blue covering). How do I put glass onto that and not affect the measurements and the relationship of the nozzles to the bed? Won’t it become too high with the added glass?

Also, regarding bed leveling, I feel like there’s something I’m missing. I see the “Level Bed” option on the LCD of the unit, and I activate that regularly before each print. At the end, it says “Press M when bed is level.” There is no “M” so I’ve just been pushing “OK”. Is there something else I should be doing to effectively level the bed?

Thanks so much for your help!

matt

[3Dreamsaltillo]

Hi, the leveling process is manual, when you select leveling on the menu it just moves the platform to the leveling position; you need to “level” then, this is with the screws below the plate, I believe is easier to look for a video for leveling, with the same process you can add the glass (just move all the way down the plate to avoid hitting the plate with the extruders) . Need to check what material are you using, if PLA temp is too high for extruding and plate…

[djprinter]

You need to know what kind of filament you’re using. Most printers come with two spools, one is ABS and one is PLA, they’re clearly labeled, but if you’ve thrown away the label you can tell them apart by checking how bendable each is, the more flexible filament is ABS.

[BrumbyBloke]

Firstly do you still have the blue build Tak on that came with the machine? You’ll have a few extra sheets in the box if yours came with it if it came with that. If you have that it’s a disposable surface and is also great for I’d you stuff up your bed leveling. Secondly what material are you printing in? If you’re using abs I’d recommend a layer of ABS juice (acetone and abs) get a nice paint scraper if you’re going to use ABS juice though because as long as your bed is nice and level you’ll have trouble peeling the print off the bed. I also recommend a glass bed kit but that’s a thing for later. For a slicer I’d recommend using makerbot desktop for now as I use that to print Dungeons and dragons miniatures. It’s nice and simple and I’ll be using it till I can afford simplify 3d. I’ll post my ABS profile for minis shortly along with a picture of the paint scraper I would recommend. Lastly check and re level your print bed the test prints are pretty forgiving while most of your prints won’t be. The creator pro is a great printer and I’ve even managed a few 0.05mm prints with it. Also check out thingiverse and search creator pro upgrade and replicator 2 upgrade if you haven’t already to get a few bits and pieces to make your machine more reliable. I highly recommend printing at least the cable clips and the filament offset parts.

[TypeR]

Hi,

I am not familiar with the FlashForge printers.

But when looking at your prints it seems that you are 1) printing very thick layers and 2) use a relatively thin wall thickness.

I would suggest to lower your layer height and thicken your walls.

On my own printer (Mankati), I use a wall thickness of 1.2 mm and my usual layer is 0.2mm for normal prints and 0.1 mm for high quality prints. Also, I would try your prints at a somewhat lower speed.

One other thing:

For myself, I made a small 2.5 x 2 cm model, just a simple square with walls about 2.5mm thick that I use for testing filaments.

It allows me to quickly make a testprint which doesn’t take longer than 20 minutes, so I can figure out the best print settings for a new filament.

[BackstreetZAFU]

Hey Everyone,

Good news! I think I figured out what my problem was. I was unaware that I received a spool of ABS filament AND a spool of PLA. I didn’t make the distinction. In unwrapping them, I totally didn’t look to see which was which. So, I think I used the PLA (gray) on ABS settings. Last night, with some help from Mr. Tang at FlashForge, I was able to print with what I believe to be the correct ABS filament (purple), and make some beautiful models. I also used the painters tape / glue stick trick, and made sure to level the build plate - it was a little bit low. I also changed the layer size, and infill type. Pictures are attached.

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who weighed in on my issues. I’d love to say that this will be the last time I’ll need help and advice on this forum, but I think we all know that’s not likely. Haha. Thanks again to everyone who pitched in. Hopefully I can pay it forward one day…

Take care!
matt