The secret to 3D printing PETG [Adventurer 4]

Summary

In this video, Daniel from 'Just Make It' shares his journey of troubleshooting PETG filament issues, specifically blobbing and stringing during 3D printing. After testing various temperature settings, filaments, and even changing slicer software to Simplify3D, he identifies key factors like bed leveling, print speeds, and retraction settings that helped eliminate these problems. Daniel highlights how Simplify3D's advanced settings, particularly speed adjustments for shorter layers, made a big difference. He encourages users struggling with PETG to try these solutions for better results.

Takeaways

• 🔧 Daniel discusses the issue of blobbing when using PETG filament and shares how he resolved it through extensive testing.
• 🖨️ He initially struggled with poor print quality, brittle layers, and bad layer adhesion when using PETG filament on his 3D printer.
• 🌡️ One of the key discoveries was that adjusting bed leveling at higher temperatures (80-90°C) helped improve adhesion and print quality.
• 💡 Observing the print process closely helped him realize that excessive adhesion to the bed and build-up on the nozzle were contributing to poor results.
• 🛠️ He tested multiple settings, including extrusion ratio, bed temperature, and print speeds, but found little improvement until switching to Simplify3D software.
• 🎛️ Simplify3D's feature to slow down printing on layers under 15 seconds significantly improved the print quality by preventing blobbing.
• 💾 He had to create a custom printer profile in Simplify3D since his printer model, Adventure 4, was not natively supported.
• 🔍 He also discovered that features like coasting and wiping in Simplify3D helped reduce blobbing, features that were not available in FlashPrint.
• 💡 Daniel recommends trying Simplify3D with a two-week refund option, especially for users struggling with PETG on their 3D printers.
• 🖨️ He concludes by encouraging further experimentation and promises to release future videos on PETG settings and printer performance optimization.

Q & A

What issue is the video addressing?

The video addresses the issue of blobbing when printing with PETG filament on a 3D printer.

What is PETG, and why might it be challenging to print with?

PETG is a type of 3D printing filament known for its durability and temperature resistance, but it can be challenging to print with due to issues like blobbing, stringing, and layer adhesion problems.

What initial steps did the creator take to address the blobbing issue?

The creator initially tested different temperatures by printing a temperature tower, changed bed leveling settings, and adjusted various print parameters, but these steps did not fully resolve the issue.

How did the creator adjust bed leveling to improve PETG prints?

The creator realized that bed leveling at room temperature could cause issues, so they started leveling the bed at printing temperature (around 80–90°C) to compensate for material expansion.

What role does filament drying play in PETG printing, and how did the creator address it?

Filament drying can reduce issues like stringing and blobbing, but the creator decided not to dry their PETG filament due to oven temperature constraints and the fact that the filament was brand new.

What software did the creator find helpful for reducing PETG blobbing, and what setting made the difference?

The creator found Simplify3D helpful for reducing blobbing and stringing. The key setting was reducing the print speed on layers with less than a set amount of time, allowing each layer to cool properly before the next one is printed.

What specific printer model is the creator using, and how did this affect their software choice?

The creator is using the Flashforge Adventure 4, which isn’t directly supported by Simplify3D, so they created a custom printer profile based on the Adventure 3.

What were some unsuccessful adjustments the creator tried before finding the right settings?

Unsuccessful adjustments included changing temperatures, extrusion ratios, retraction settings, bed temperatures, and travel speeds; these changes did not significantly reduce blobbing or stringing.

What other PETG settings in Simplify3D helped improve print quality?

Settings like 'coasting' and 'wiping' in Simplify3D helped by reducing filament oozing and allowing the nozzle to wipe away excess filament at the end of each movement, further minimizing blobs.

Why does the creator recommend Simplify3D, despite its cost?

The creator recommends Simplify3D due to its advanced settings that significantly reduced blobbing and improved overall PETG print quality. The software also offers a two-week trial period for testing.