So I have been some problems with my 3D prints. Some of the models I have been trying to print will have its edges curving upwards (almost like a starfish), bump and against the nozzle and be tossed out of the bed or get melted to the nozzle.
This here is the “Torture toaster” and I’m using yellow PLA by Devil Design:
Nozzle: 200 °C
Bed: 50 °C
Layer height: 0.16 mm
Speed: 100 mm/s
I even tried increasing the temperature up to 235° and 60° respectively, while slowing down the speed to 15 mm/s for the first 4 layers.
But despite that, when it comes to small sharp corners I always get the “starfish” effect. This being the case for the gears for the toaster.
I wanted to avoid using a brim with the same plastic because I’m afraid I won’t be able to remove it easily (plus as test print model it’s advised to print it without supports or brims).
The Z-offset is the one thing I haven’t touched. As for the bed cleanning, I always make sure to clean it with isopropyl alcohol and do the 9x9 auto calibration before a print.
I used an “adhesion test” model I found on thingiverse, and confirmed my inicial concern that the sharp corner have a tendency to slightly bend upwards.
When IPA isn’t enough, a good bath in hot water with an unscented dish soap (such as original Dawn) is the best cure for adhesion issues. Make sure to dry it with paper towels afterwards so no water mineral deposits stay on the surface, and be careful not to touch the surface with your fingers afterwards.
I have used hairspray in the past to end my newbie frustrations when all my jobs would separate with 10% left to print, etc. As my skills and knowledge increased I used it less and less often and now see it as the crutch it was.
It’s always super satisfying when you get that first layer dialed in so perfect that when it cools down you can hear light cracking as it lets go, then when cool you pick it up, zero sticking.
After manually calibrating the z-offset I saw improvement in the print quality and the print got past the 8th layer threshold.
Unfortunately, one of the center pieces detached itself.
