16
votes
Accepted
What are the reasons for my 3D prints having large numbers of strings between parts of a layer?
Stringing is often a result of too-high a temperature, or insufficient retraction. When there is highly liquid filament in the nozzle tip, it can adhere to the remainder of the print while dripping as ...
- 852
15
votes
Accepted
Resolution Drawbacks
The biggest effect I've see on resolution is due to plastic stress due to thermal gradients.
The higher resolution prints build up more layers of material, and each layer has a cumulative effect on ...
- 1,853
13
votes
Which endstops are most precise?
There are some different criteria that we should use to select a switch type:
Precision / repeatability: does the switch trigger at the same place every time? How much spread is there in the trigger ...
- 6,536
12
votes
Accepted
Printing screws - is the output usable? (M3 or M4)
well... it's hard to imagine printing M3 or even M4
I haven't try but I haven't because I'm pretty sure it's not possible (on my printer of course)
but some time ago I've tried M8 which is of course ...
- 3,456
9
votes
What are the reasons for my 3D prints having large numbers of strings between parts of a layer?
Here's just a few of the things you might want to look into.
plastic - some plastic types are more stringy than others and there's also variation between brands and colors.
moisture in filament - ...
- 688
9
votes
Accepted
How important is the minimum layer height on a 3d printer?
I believe the Slic3r Manual summarizes this quite nicely:
A thicker layer height will provide more flow, and consequently more heat, making the extrusion adhere to the bed more. It also gives the ...
- 3,987
9
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to print a resonator for a musical instrument?
I can't answer this from a technical 3D printing angle. But, from a musical angle:
Where the body of an instrument has the primary function of enclosing a vibrating air column, the material has ...
- 206
8
votes
Printing screws - is the output usable? (M3 or M4)
Yes. This question and most of the answers are old, and 3D printing has come a long way in the past 4 years or so. Alexandre Strube's bumping with one up-to-date answer inspired me to take another try ...
8
votes
Accepted
How to obtain high resolution prints in a shorter period of time?
You could experiment with slicing. For example, you might not need high resolution all over the object, but you can speed up some straight parts by using greater layer high there. See a part of Slic3r ...
- 1,106
8
votes
Is it possible to print a resonator for a musical instrument?
Following up on this, the answer is, yes, this works quite well. I printed this cabaça model from Thingiverse using PLA on a Lulzbot Mini and put it on my berimbau today to test it out. I can't make a ...
- 313
7
votes
What is the life expectancy of the Kossel?
Much like your car, the number of miles, or the number of prints that you can get out of it is entirely up to how well you can maintain it.
A 3D Printer is a machine, and a machine needs general ...
- 1,920
7
votes
How important is the minimum layer height on a 3d printer?
As with any manufacturing process, you'll need to learn to "use the right tool for the job". It depends on the requirements of the part. To answer your question, I would suggest using a larger layer ...
- 6,284
7
votes
Is it possible with current 3D printers to print a sound trace?
Sound Encoding basics
Sound is a compression wave, and any depiction of it has to be an encoding of it. You can encode it so you can recreate the sound using a contraption that oscillates in the right ...
- 21.2k
6
votes
Is it possible to print a resonator for a musical instrument?
Here is a great answer to the underlying physics of resonance:
"A object rings because it has acquired energy in a way that it resonates - it vibrates at a frequency and with enough energy to ...
- 2,452
6
votes
Considerations when pausing a print job
If you keep the head hot during the pause, and over the print, you will melt the material already deposited.
If you move to X0 Y0 (like on a layer change) and pause there, you can cool off the head (...
- 2,400
6
votes
Accepted
Can I dry PETG filament under sun?
The simple answer is: No
There are two basic reasons for this:
The sun will not get the filament hot enough to evaporate any moisture which has been absorbed.
While sitting out in the sun, it will ...
- 2,423
6
votes
Can I dry PETG filament under sun?
Here is my suggestion for a cheap, well and temperature accurate drying manner of a filament. I've done it several times for PETG that is actually a very moisture absorbing filament and pops it up ...
5
votes
Producing closely fitting parts
There are a lot of factors to 3D printing parts that work and fit together.
A lot of it will be discovered by trial and error, but let's try to put you on the right path.
First your material is ...
- 3,043
5
votes
Which endstops are most precise?
Thomas Sanladerer performed exactly the comparison you ask. Check the whole video.
The result is that inductive sensors are the most accurate, but they are highly dependent on the bed material chosen....
- 4,133
5
votes
Resolution Drawbacks
Regarding the sturdiness of the final print, I believe it depends on the inter-layer adhesion of the filament itself - which varies greatly. Also, normally, thicker layers would increase the strength ...
- 3,987
5
votes
Are 3D printed gears applicable for industrial use?
Survivability of parts is a very tricky topic, because a lot of factors go into it. While ABS is a common industrial plastic for molding, FDM introduces quite different challenges that can impact the ...
- 21.2k
4
votes
Resolution Drawbacks
It's also worth noting that the ratio of nozzle diameter to layer height affects strength. The layer height is typically set slightly smaller than the nozzle diameter, so the nozzle "squeezes" the new ...
- 3,201
4
votes
Which endstops are most precise?
I don't think there is a simple answer.
In my opinion, for a home sensor accuracy doesn't matter. Firmware usually allows setting an offset between the indicated position and the actual position. ...
- 4,481
4
votes
Printing screws - is the output usable? (M3 or M4)
I just did.
I printed a 4 screws at .2mm and 20% infill. surprisingly, all screws worked with a plastic m4 nut I had from china (not 3d printed). The project itself 1 tells to print at 100% and 0.1.
...
4
votes
Accepted
What should I think about if I want to design something modular?
All printers are designed with an idea of WYSIWYG for sure. Depending on:
printer - type/quality/settings/configuration/assembly precission
filament - type/quality/shrinkage
user skills - manual/...
- 3,456
4
votes
Is it possible to print a resonator for a musical instrument?
I'll take a stab here, but my gut instinct is to say that a printed part will not sound the same as your original gourd resonator.
I believe the acoustics rely on the hardness, shape, and size of the ...
- 6,284
4
votes
Creality CR-10 Clogs and Underextrusion - Filament at fault?
Not all filaments are created equal. Even with the very same manufacturer, the addition of colorful pigments can change the needed printing temperature a lot! I have had a white china PLA that was ...
- 21.2k
4
votes
Considerations when pausing a print job
Pausing a print: A vital aspect to anyone who tries to do something advanced with 3d printing.
There are three (3) things:
Never pause over the print. Your pause "script" should lift the head up ...
- 2,360
4
votes
Is it possible with current 3D printers to print a sound trace?
I think this is just about doable. In this answer, I will assume you want to produce a "rumble strip" style of object that will reproduce a recording of human speech. I'll assume you don't care about ...
- 1,549
4
votes
Are thick layer lines easier to sand and fill than thin layer lines for low detail objects
No. The outside of the layer has a round cross section, so the higher the layer, the larger the semi circle cross section and the deeper the valley is between layers.
Fine layers take forever to print ...
- 475
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