3D Printing ABS

[Nicholas Lombardy]

So... I came down to the space to try printing a new model for the capacitor bank car battery replacement. I couldn't get the ABS to stick to the print surface. Tried heated surface, cool surface, painter's tape, and kapton tape. Any tips?

[Jason Brown]

The z-home position is likely too high. The plastic needs to squish in. I have never adjusted the makerbot however, you might need to look up the procedure.

Jason Brown

On Mar 25, 2014, at 4:15 PM, Nicholas Lombardy <ni...@area64.tv> wrote:

So... I came down to the space to try printing a new model for the capacitor bank car battery replacement. I couldn't get the ABS to stick to the print surface. Tried heated surface, cool surface, painter's tape, and kapton tape. Any tips?

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[Jesse Guardiani]

Extreme hold hair spray works wonders. I buy Garnier at the local Walmart for $5 a can. Two coats, let dry in between. Eliminates the need for messy/expensive tapes. I print directly on glass or granite.

[Nicholas Lombardy]

That's a cool idea. I'll let Tim decide if that method is OK on his printer.

[Jason Brown]

Hairspray tends to get everywhere and being collecting dust, I wouldn't want it sprayed on my printer. (If the print surface comes off and it is sprayed separately, no problem).

Height is the most important thing, a clean surface after that.  Blue Tape cleaned with acetone almost becomes a permanent part of the printed object as a last resort.

--Jason

[Jesse Guardiani]

Yes, I remove the print bed, spray, then reinstall. Have a couple of spare print beds pre-sprayed speeds production. Like I said, I use glass or granite.

[Tim Youngblood]

First layer is key. Need it to be flat.

[Nicholas Lombardy]

I'm going to try to get there today and see if I can't get it adjusted and apply a very smooth layer of painter's tape.

[Tim Youngblood]

It's an art not a science. Adjusting the 4 thumbscrews while the print is happening is lame and difficult. Id suggest a square test pattern to get it leveled then focus on final print.

Also another clue: what is different about the print environment vs the time you last printed successfully? Be sure and turn up the hvac heat ahead of time...and cover the 3 sides of the printer with paper to keep the build volume warmer and less drafty.

[Nicholas Lombardy]

Will do!