filament need to be bumped up a bit more than 5° so don't hesitate to experiment and
find that lowest reliable extrusion temperature.
If you want to get really serious about profiling your filaments, do the melt-flow test at
higher extrusion rates - 60 mm/s, then 70mm/s, etc.
Don't forget to measure the diameter of your filament too! Not all filaments are created
equally. Measure in several locations to get a sense of variability. Most of the slicers let you
enter filament diameter and they will calculate a reasonable flow for you.
TIP:
When you are starting a new print session, give the printer a little warm up exercise!
Much like an athlete warms up before a game, don't just turn the printer on and attempt to print.
Turn it on and let the hot end get up top equilibrium, let the heated bed get up top temperature. I
even like to print a quick part (a 20mm diameter cylinder 5 mm tall) to make sure everything is
up to temp, in equilibrium and working properly. It's quick and easy to do and can help eliminate
a lot of problems.
#10 Know Your Bedfellows.
Probably one of the greatest mysteries in 3D printing is "the bed". Metaphorically, this is
where the rubber (filament) meets the road (bed) and getting "it" right is absolutely critical to
successful fused filament 3D printing. All sorts of folklore on bed materials, coatings, coverings,
concoctions, and juju exists here and elsewhere on the internet. It is also one of the areas that
there is no one right way to do it. If you have discovered a special incantation and bed
preparation that works, by all means stick with it! But, for those of you struggling, here are some
strategies you can use to make improvements. One comment before I begin...
I am VERY persnickety about the aesthetics of my 3D prints. My 3D printed fly fishing
reel is seen from all sides and so it is important that the first layer is flawless and visually
appealing. A perfect first layer finish is not required for all objects - consider the base of a Yoda
or vase - but if you practice getting a great first layer on these non-critical pieces you'll be
prepared when you need a visually perfect first layer on another project.
A number of factors affect adherence of the first printed layer to the bed. These include:
•
surface material
•
surface texture
•
surface treatment/coating
•
bed temperature and uniformity of temperature
•
air temperature
•
chemical bonding or cohesion
•
print speed (see #5)
•
filament temperature (see #9)
•
first layer height (see #4)
•
cleanliness (of bed and filament)
38
