Author Topic: First layer blob  (Read 1295 times)

ssstraub

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 31
    • View Profile
First layer blob
« on: March 02, 2015, 07:21:40 pm »
Does everyone's second gen cube make a big blob after completing the first layer? Mine seems to do this no matter what file I load.

Can anything be done? Is it the fault of the Cube firmware or the Cube slicer?

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter


itsnewby

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 1
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2015, 02:49:55 pm »
While the extruder is heating, it may ooze, so clean that off before the print starts.

ssstraub

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 31
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2015, 02:52:39 pm »
The fine preheating string is not what I'm referring to in this case. I'm referring to the extruder coming to a complete stop after the first layer is 100% finished for about 3-5 seconds, and making a blob of PLA in that spot. After that it continues normally until it's finished and never stops again.

Happens on every single one of my prints.

Vicm

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 8
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2015, 01:26:27 pm »
Try to re-calibrate printer, first calibrate the plate about 3-4 inches below extruder, then re-calibrate it as usual with a a sticky note.

ssstraub

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 31
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2015, 03:39:02 pm »
I will try recalibrating, but I don't think that's related.

No one else's 2nd gen Cube has this issue?  ???

rjflory

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2015, 08:28:24 pm »
Yes, I'm sure everybodies Cube has this problem.  Its a design issue due to the initial warm-up flow piling up under the head.

 Cube should begin the print by wiping the glob off the head off on the plate in some 'unused' area.  I'm really, REALLY unhappy with the Cube Gen 2 !!

 1. The official Cube filament is very brittle and breaks within the cartridge.  I've seen this at least 3 times now.
 2. The filament diameter is inconsistent, often too small.  This is one big cause of most of the aborted print sessions you read about on the web.
 3. Cube support is absolutely awful.  While they reply to support requests, they only suggest how to reflash the firmware to V2.08, which is very difficult to find and has not been updated in years
     They never mention these known issues, or ask to know what the printer logfiles contain.
     My guess is they know full well the design is fubar, and just want users to go away.

  I hate saying these things, but I've been frustrated by 3DS for a very long time now.

Vadder

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #6 on: March 14, 2015, 06:59:55 am »
Hi

my 2nd gen Cube works very fine  :)

@ssstraub:
Please load up a small printingfile (.CUBE).
So we can analyse your problen.

rjflory

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #7 on: March 14, 2015, 10:31:37 am »
 Seriously, I have two different genuine Cubify PLA Filament cartridges sitting here that repeatedly break off during normal print attempts.  The filament and protecting tube did not bind (the broken filament continued to slide easily in/out of the magazine after the print jobs aborted).
They are very clean, shiny right-angle breaks, indicating low-temp stress fractures during manufacturing or loading onto the bobbin.  Cubify filament is quite brittle, and this pre-stress leaves it susceptible to breakage even when being handled gently.  Their process appears to fracture 75% or more of the total material thickness, which often fractures the rest of the way during unwinding or on its trip through the tube between the cartridge and the print-head.

 Also, the black rubber "protector" surrounding the print head either catches on the glass plate or the object being printed (rolling up into a mess or striking/breaking the printed object loose from the plate), or it backs-up and fills with filament, which clogs everything up, which must then be removed and tediously cleaned out.  I find it best just to remove the black rubber "protector" all-together so it no longer interferes with printing.

 Also, printing with ABS is impossible.  The workpiece bows, warps, and deforms on the plate, looking nothing like the object it was supposed to be.  An object shaped like a hocky-puck comes out looking like a saggy tennis ball left in a hi-temp oven too long...

 Last night was the first successful print run I've been able to make in over 6-months.  It was done with after-market filament, with the back rubber print-head protector removed.
I'd would not mind using Cubify filament, but thus far, it has been the primary source of my 3D print problems, so I'm forced to use an alternative for now...

ron

ssstraub

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 31
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2015, 10:24:13 am »
@vadder Will do, possibly tonight if I have time. I will post a video of it creating the blob.

I don't think it's clear to everyone yet that it is not related to starting a print like the fine string that comes out during heatup--It is well into a print when this blob is formed. The video should make this very clear.

ssstraub

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 31
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2015, 07:49:56 pm »
Here's a video:

Ignore the bits that didn't stick to the plate--this was just a test so I wasn't concerned about prepping it well.

You can clearly see how it pauses for 3-4 seconds when it's done with the first layer BUT THE FILAMENT KEEPS FEEDING even though it's stopped!

Like I said, every single print does this...

Dan

  • Administrator
  • Jr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 75
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2015, 05:57:40 am »
THat is totally screwed.  I shouldnt happen and Im fairly sure it has nothing to do with calibration.  IMO it has to do with one of two things. First, is the firmware up to date?  Second are you sure you dont have an error in the STL file you are printing which causes the cube to try to print an extremely small, highly detailed section of your STL?  I know you mentioned this happens with every print, but have you tried using one of the sample cube .cube files to be sure?

ssstraub

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 31
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2015, 08:11:11 am »
I have 2.08 firmware. I've used Cubify software on both Mac (mostly) and PC to create the .cube files.

I've printed probably 15 different files by now, from basic shapes to the highly complex and they all do exactly this same thing. I think I can rule out an error in the model.

I'm not sure I've ever used a stock 3DS .cube file. I will try this, though I don't think it will make any difference as no one else seems to have this issue even when downloading STLs from other sources and converting them to .cube format.  :-\

Well at least I know now that it's not supposed to do this, so that's somewhat helpful in itself. It also makes me more determined to fix it! It's not the worst problem as usually the bottom layer isn't seen anyway and and excess can be trimmed, but of course it would be better without this blob.
« Last Edit: March 23, 2015, 08:13:28 am by ssstraub »

Vadder

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 4
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2015, 02:42:35 pm »
Please load up here a small printingfile (.CUBE).
Put it in a ZIP-file to attach it when you write a reply.

In the .CUBE-File are the controlling-commands for the cube.


ssstraub

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 31
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2015, 02:57:40 pm »
Here's a .cube file I printed.

I figure you are going to decode this with CodeX? I did that just now (first time I've done this) and nothing is standing out to me that would make it pause at the end of the first layer for 4 seconds.

Also, does the 2nd gen Cube really heat the extruder nozzle at 250 C for PLA? That seems WAY hotter than I would have expected...
« Last Edit: March 23, 2015, 04:53:14 pm by ssstraub »

Dan

  • Administrator
  • Jr. Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 75
    • View Profile
Re: First layer blob
« Reply #14 on: March 24, 2015, 03:48:49 am »
Personally can't test the .cube files anymore (thanks to frankencube)  but got my money on the files you are printing.  Please let us know what happens with a stock .cube file (one of the ones on the USB stick supplied with the unit).