Geoff Gardiner Posted July 28, 2017 Author Share Posted July 28, 2017 Hi John. Only just noticed your post. How did you get on with the sensor/upgrade? I use a different type of sensor (see earlier post) which is working very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 john kennedy 4 You don't specify which "slicer" (printing) software you are using but you have to remember that the STL file is just a standard set of data that the "slicer" package has to convert into the actual commands to control the print head. The basic STL file from something like Thingiverse has to be 'universal' so it will not control all the 'print options'. You have to set them up for your specific package. Unfortunately It can take a bit of reading the 'help' and experimentation before you fully understand what the effect of each option is and how they might interact with each other. If it did not print the top at all then in, say, Cura there is a specific "top layer thickness" setting which in conjunction with the individual layer height determines how many will be laid down. You need to check what it is set to. If it tried to print the top but it all went wrong then maybe the issue is with the type and density of the "infill" that is required to physically support the filament of the top layer as it is printed.. It is amazing how quickly the waste bin fills up with scrap as you experiment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john kennedy 4 Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 Thanks Geoff and Simon. Not quite sure what I was doing wrong,maybe I didn't give the leveling process enough attention. Anyway all seems ok now. Got the Spinner made and Grandson gone off to Australia happy now. The new bed arrived and soon got it fitted. Paid attention to leveling and done quite a few little upgrades for my machine which turned out good. So not bothered with the Auto leveler. I will study Cura in more detail re the top thickness. I'm sure I'll get more out of it with practice. Thanks again. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Collins Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 Thanks Colin I looked at the STL samples and they also seem to be faceted although the size of the facets has been reduced. That would do in a pinch but I don't seem to have that option on my Turbocad, probably only available on the pro version. I will definitely look at Fusion 360 before splashing out 100 quid on the TC upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herri Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 I am pleased to see 3D printing has made it to this forum. I also have a A8 clone. I am new to 3D drawing and have found Onshape. Its really easy to use, free and you can export a STL file which is then opened in Cura ( or other slicer). Only downside (for some) is that it is online only. Herri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Bernard Posted July 29, 2017 Share Posted July 29, 2017 Pete, when you say faceted do you mean the wireframe, or that the render is showing faceted? If the former, then that is controlled by an icon in the toolbar... And if I click the wireframe icon, I can select a rendered view. (The icon is highlighted.) The facets within the render are down to the resolution of the triangles making up the surface - fine resolution means smoother rendering. I have no idea how to change that. Apologies if you are already aware of the above but it may be useful to people new to TC. Edited By Colin Bernard on 29/07/2017 21:20:51 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Collins Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 Thanks Colin Yes I'm aware of the way the render works, I had just assumed that when the file was output as an STL it would go back to a smooth curve. In the help files it shows a way of re-setting the 'resolution' of the wireframe but in my software that option does not appear. I assume that this is because I don't have the 'pro' version, although it doesn't say so in the help. Anyway I'll see how I get on with Fusion 360 before I do anything drastic like spending money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Bernard Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 Pete - Sorry if it was a case of 'grandmother' and 'eggs'! Since my last post I have done a bit more digging and see that what you are referring to is the ACIS option. The TurboCAD community forum here confirms your suspicion that it is only available in the Pro versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted July 30, 2017 Share Posted July 30, 2017 this is my latest project using the Anet A8 printer. lots of fiddly little bits. Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Collins Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 Probably a stupid question - I've just got a Vellman Buildtak Print Bed Surface which looks like a great improvement on sticky tape, but how do I fix it to my print bed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Gardiner Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share Posted August 5, 2017 Hi Pete. It should have a backing that you peel off to reveal the sticky surface beneath. Geoff... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Collins Posted August 6, 2017 Share Posted August 6, 2017 Hi Geoff Thanks, got that, it was what I expected in the first place but the backing was so well stuck that I thought it was part of the mat. - See, it was a stupid question. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Gardiner Posted August 6, 2017 Author Share Posted August 6, 2017 No worries - mine was the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john kennedy 4 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Hi again,looking for some more advice. Just tried to print off a balsa stripper by 'Workshopbob' When I took the stripper body off the plate it was very flexible and 'dry' looking. It resembled a piece of Shredded Wheat in that the front face started to come away in strings like each layer was not fusing with the previous one. Anybody any idea what I'm doing wrong? Thanks, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaL Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 under extruding. or possibly extruder temp too low Have you calibrated your extruder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 well mine has packed up. ho hum Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john kennedy 4 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Mal, thanks for the reply. The extruder temp seems to be set for the PLA setting or by Cura. It always comes out at 210c. As for calibration ! I didn't know that could be done. Do you know how I would go about that? Thanks, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaL Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 I don't have one of these printers but the generic method for ensuring the extruder is supplying the correct amount of plastic is to mark the filament 120mm from where it enters the extruder, then set your control software (whatever you are using) to extrude 100mm of filament. You can then measure how much is actually extruded. If you read **LINK** it tells you how you can calculate and enter a new value for your E steps per mm to adjust the amount extruded, alternatively you may be able to enter the value directly via firmware upload.....as I said I don't have an A8 ....... sorry your printer has packed up Tony..what is wrong? controller board gone south? Edited By MaL on 12/08/2017 11:04:47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john kennedy 4 Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Thanks Mal, will look into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 dodgy soldering on the power feed to the main board. took the thing apart and re soldered the terminals. working again now. phew. Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaL Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 Glad you have sorted it Tony.. It is a common 'problem' with the generic RAMPS board too, although usually down to poor connections at the screw terminals with people using tinned wires or not tightening the screw enough (or not checking it regularly). The 'problem' is that there is a lot of current flowing through the board when the extruder and the bed heater are on together - hence the desire to fit a 3rd party MOSFET driver board for the heated bed and reduce the current flowing through the mainboard......lots of solder on the pcb tracks will help also. (sorry if this is teaching Granny) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masher Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 If anyone is about to buy one of these, mine is going up for sale. Nothing wrong with it (just bought it for a play), very low use, reel of black PLA included. All built & tested. Pick up only from Hereford, £100 no offers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 shame you are so far away sir, i would love another one. oh well. Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masher Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 Hi Tony - we met at a Greenacres do, I'm the one in the Moggy van. I'll be at the Marcle show and the Nats if that helps anybody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 ooh i will be at the nats as well. hmmm. Tony B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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