Replicator+ Bottom Layer Not Smooth

[Bryan Sonnier]

I'm using  the Makerbot Replicator+, Makerbot filament (standard grey PLA), Makerbot program (makerbot print), Makerbot recommended settings (balanced) and my bottom layer looks like crap.  I have to use a raft due to the curling as the print cools.  Correction, I have to use a raft with helper discs and then tape down the discs after about 30 min to make sure the print isn't compromised. 

The bottom layer looks uneven like its not even trying to print smooth.  I've take to printing 3mm off bottom and using support underneath to at least get a uniform pattern if very rough.  The outside of the prints while not super smooth are sufficient for my needs and the top layer looks great. 

Any help on settings or processes or whatever should I do to get smoother bottoms that look closer to the tops.

Below is an image with the usual bottom, i tried sanding to smooth it out but i really don't have that kind of time.

[Bryan Sonnier]

I'm willing to use different programs or looking for different setting or paste the smear on the bed or just about anything... short of getting a new printer.  Not quite there yet.

[Adan Akerman]

Hi! Your application seems like it should be an easy one: large contact surface for adhesion to the build surface, PLA for minimal warp. Some thoughts and questions:

- does your printer have a heated bed? This helps with adhesion, even with PLA

- what print surface do you currently use? Definitely try something different. 

- learn to get away from the raft. It really shouldn't be necessary. I haven't used a raft in many years.

- how old's your filament? A nice new well-reviewed PLA might give you a whole different experience.

Hope things can improve for you and your machine. On the other hand, decent new printers with heated beds and automatic leveling are WAY cheaper now. I've recently been operating a PRUSA Mk3S and it's a dreamland compared to my years of time on Replicators and clones (which I'm still using as well). The kit was also fun and easy to build. There are also cheaper copies of Prusas that apparently are good too. 

Best of luck,

Adan

[neoteric]

It is pretty much impossible to get a good bottom on something printed on a raft.  We need to get you printing on a normal bed.  If the bed is not heated, you can still get there.
1. first, get some glass cut at the local hardware store, I tape mine to the bed with printers tape.

2. you need a good substrate for that pla to stick.  I use aquanet super hold hair spray.  Give it a good coat and let it dry.  depending on the glass, you may need to run your fingers over it when wet to get it to coat well.  Some glass makes it puddle up.
3. You need to get damn close to the bed.   raise you bed up to the nozzle and then adjust it with a piece of copy paper between the nozzle and the bed for how close to get.  The idea is to get it so the paper still moves, but is scratchy.
4. Printing with a big brim if you are still getting curling is better than helper discs.  You can then pull it off or run a knife along the edge to cut it off.

The more squish you can tolerate, the better.  I like the superflat smoothness of glass, so I let the first few layers really squish, it looks like bacon on the first few layers, but I like the results. The downside is you get a small elephant foot.

If you can add a heated bed, that helps a lot.

If you are still getting curiling, and your PLA is old, get some new PLA.  some of makerbots older pla curled like mad...

You will get it.  It takes time to get the feel for it, but you will get to the point you can do it in your sleep.

[TobyCWood]

Yeah... you can see the initial shell did not stick at all. The Replicator+ was never a viable product. Sorry. These days you can buy an Ender 3 for about what it used to cost just to upgrade a replicator(any model).  It prints about the same quality and speed as a Prusa but costs a fraction as much. 

As I tried to warn folks in the intro text of the group the Replicator+ is a problematic machine and not worth the effort to get a middling quality print.

[Adan Akerman]

Ah - forgive me, I haven't participated in a while and hadn't revisited your intro. I just saw that image, saw the word raft, and thought, "wouldn't it be nice if I could help guide someone to the Happy Land in Which Flat Bottomed Prints Just Work."

It's a nice place to be. I feel for the OP.

[Evgeny]

Try changing the "Raft to Model Shell Vertical Offset" and "Raft to Model Vertical Offset" options.

Judging by the screenshot, these parameters need to be reduced. Just do not set too low values - then it will be difficult to tear the model off the raft!

четверг, 11 ноября 2021 г. в 22:22:29 UTC+3, Adan Akerman: