Stuff your 3D printer has made today...

[My Old Landy]

I have created a small test print for PLA. A picture of how it came out. File is later as the original was incorrect format.

 

[My Old Landy]

Post the file and I will print one to see what happens on my machine.
What material was that printed in?

Sorry I missed your post, it was printed in PLA. I have uploaded a test print above.
Thanks!

 

[carbon]

I have created a small test print for PLA. Here is the file (I had to change it to .txt to upload, and a picture of how it came out.

View attachment 422287

What format should your attached file be?

 

[Hopefuldave]

What format should your attached file be?

looks like Gcode..

 

[My Old Landy]

What format should your attached file be?

looks like Gcode..

Indeed it looks like I picked the gcode instead of the stl. I will have to fire up the other laptop and post that, sorry!

 

[My Old Landy]

That should be an .stl file if you rename it.

 

[carbon]

I’ve just printed that, see below picture



As the circular feature in your’s isn’t and it seems to have a diagonal feature in it check the mechanical parts of the printer aren’t binding and causing that problem. If it was an estep problem I would have expected the circular feature to be elliptical rather than what you are experiencing

 

[m_c]

I have created a small test print for PLA. A picture of how it came out. File is later as the original was incorrect format.

View attachment 422287

The lack of connection between the cut-out section would usually indicate under-extrusion, however the oversize corners would usually indicate over-extrusion.

Before doing anything, I'd give the printer a mechanical check over.
Make sure all the rollers are suitably adjusted onto the extrusions.
Then run an extrusion check. I usually use a steel rule and mark 50mm from a known point, then extrude 50mm of filament, and check that the mark has made it to the known point.

 

[Dev]

Don’t buy the software but this is still a useful guide for identifying problems https://www.simplify3d.com/resources/print-quality-troubleshooting/

 

[My Old Landy]

I’ve just printed that, see below picture

View attachment 422307

As the circular feature in your’s isn’t and it seems to have a diagonal feature in it check the mechanical parts of the printer aren’t binding and causing that problem. If it was an estep problem I would have expected the circular feature to be elliptical rather than what you are experiencing

Cheers for printing it. I will have a go at adjusting it tomorrow as we are out atm. Yours looks superb!

The lack of connection between the cut-out section would usually indicate under-extrusion, however the oversize corners would usually indicate over-extrusion.

Before doing anything, I'd give the printer a mechanical check over.
Make sure all the rollers are suitably adjusted onto the extrusions.
Then run an extrusion check. I usually use a steel rule and mark 50mm from a known point, then extrude 50mm of filament, and check that the mark has made it to the known point.

Cheers, I will give that a go too.

 

[DAPPH]

The lack of connection between the cut-out section would usually indicate under-extrusion, however the oversize corners would usually indicate over-extrusion.

Before doing anything, I'd give the printer a mechanical check over.
Make sure all the rollers are suitably adjusted onto the extrusions.
Then run an extrusion check. I usually use a steel rule and mark 50mm from a known point, then extrude 50mm of filament, and check that the mark has made it to the known point.

After a horrific time getting going with my 3D printing I put my thinking cap on , what could I do to get optimum performance of the machine each time I used it , so I could eliminate things and learn about the programs and bed leveling etc etc.
Nowadays I tend to use a soft lint free make up removing pad ( purchased 2,000 six years ago for under a tenner ) with a few drops of isopropanol on it to wipe the rails then with another clean pad lubricate then with a few drops of pure silicone oil . I was very surprised at the amount of muck that comes off with the cleaning as the printer is in a fully enclosed Perspex fronted cabinet .. ( Soot motes from melting plastic filament perhaps ? )
I also use a very fine needled syringe to put a single drop of silicone oil on all thd bearings / spindles & other contact point .

 

[m_c]

After a horrific time getting going with my 3D printing I put my thinking cap on , what could I do to get optimum performance of the machine each time I used it , so I could eliminates things and learn about the programs and bed leveling etc etc.
Nowadays I tend to use a soft lint free make up removing pad ( purchased 2,000 six years ago for under a tenner ) with a few drops of isopropanol on it to wipe the rails then with another clean pad lubricate then with a few drops of pure silicone oil . I was very surprised at the amount of muck that comes off with the cleaning as the printer is in a fully enclosed Perspex fronted cabinet .. ( Soot motes from melting plastic filament perhaps ? )
I also use a very fine needled syringe to put a single drop of silicone oil on all thd bearings / spindles & other contact point .

My main Ender3 is approaching two thousand hours of print time, and the most I've done is give the rollers a quick wipe with a bit rag.
The key thing is to make sure the rollers are not too tight, as that causes them to rapidly wear.

 

[My Old Landy]

I have made some adjustments and the round hole is looking more round probably a little more adjustment but I am a lot happier with the results!
I also upgraded to the silicon 'springs' which stiffened up the bed.
Many thanks for all the advice.

 

[carbon]

I’m not sure what slicer you are using and it’s a little difficult to see on my phone but how many top layers are there in that print?

 

[My Old Landy]

I’m not sure what slicer you are using and it’s a little difficult to see on my phone but how many top layers are there in that print?

I am using the prusa slicer. There are meant to be 4 but it looks a tad thin

 

[Nomad]

Is this the best place to put all things 3d ?

Interesting idea using a CAD machine as a 3D printer

 

[My Old Landy]

I printed this today. I am very pleased with the printer now. It is behaving itself since the adjustments.

 

[Screwdriver]

Found some decent cheap LED battens on eBay, at least I think four 1200mm battens for £29 is pretty good. Happy to hear if cheaper/better is out there somewhere. These are single ended mains units so also had to nab some end connectors.

Because they have a built in diffuser I'm happy to just hang them up as they are - with 3d printed mounts. The mounting point is a right pita though:

Complex assortment of curves (which Sketchup hates!) and the two main "shapes" leaves a gap where the curves intersect (Sketchup had a fit over that). Lots of jiggery pokery to make a good solid (manifold) shape but got there eventually.

You can see what I mean about the intersecting curves inside the mounting. Like trying to model plasticine using a mouse. Works though.

Bung a few in the "new" shed and I bought another four off just because...

 

[My Old Landy]

I printed this for my son in law as he has recently passed his HGV licence and loves his country music. He wanted something for his cab

 

[Screwdriver]

Went off on one a bit and made some mode light fitting adapters. Those single ended mains LED battens are super light, robust and already quite "nice "looking items.

So first I made a tripod mount (I have a zillion ways to mount things with a 1/4-20 screw)

Clips on very securely. So much so once it's on, you can't pull it off! Luckily, one end of the batten is "dead" so I can slide the thing off when required, also allows me to move the mounting point.

Next design will mount it from the very end.

Those are Poundland stainless steel straws. I make tons of stuff with them. Super light, super strong and again, if they're well fitted, you can hammer them in and they ain't coming out!