First kinda print...

[Max]

So for my first test print, the fan shroud. I know the Z was too low to start off, but you can't tell that. But I think it was just printing took fast. It was default PLA.ini file from git, for the Slicer, on a Rostock V2.

On the second try I slowed it down, and it already looks better.

[geolupulus]

Did you print this in PLA? You referenced the PLA.ini file. My understanding is you have to print the fan shroud in ABS first. Forgive me you printed this in ABS using PLA settings. See me has default .ini files for the specific printing materials on their downloads page.

[Max]

I have the ABS, but I started with PLA since it was my first test print. I didn't figure my first print was going to come out, so I wasn't worried about actually making the fan yet.

I found that my filament settings had the filament diameter at 3.0 mm. Nothing like 42% fill on everything...

[Max]

Now with the correct filament diameter. Looks much better. The areas having any bridging had drips, but the quality of the other surfaces is much better than I expected from a printer I just assembled. And frankly a very quick calibration.

I suspect the temp is a little on the high side.

[grabredemeyer]

This print really should be done in abs so that it can take the heat of the hotend without melting if you plan on using it to cool the barrel of your hotend. If you have an Orion it will already have it, but I just wanted to note it to make sure.

If you have a Max (as I note you say "build") definitely run the print in abs. Then go on to install it on the hotend to cool the barrel for your pla printing. This will result in much better reliability for PLA prints, ensuring that heat isn't creeping up the barrel of your hotend and melting the PLA before it should (increasing likelihood of jams, etc). Just a couple notes. Might be relevant depending on your situation, might not be.

[Max]

It's a Rostock Max V2.

I think you hit on the issue there. I've been watching this guy print, and the base is flexing all over the place. So if I cool it, it will stay put for the run.

-Max

[geneb]

I've been watching this guy print, and the base is flexing all over the place.

That statement bothers me a great deal.

What precisely is flexing? _Nothing_ should flex during a print other than the stuff that's supposed to (wires, bowden tube...).

g.

[Max]

The plastic as it's gets laid down that bridges over the round ports where the fan goes. As the plastic comes out it causes the parts to flex a little. It looks like the the plastic that has been extruded in a previous pass is softer then what's coming out.

And there might have been a reason for that. I got 2 runs, and on the 3rd print the themister crapped out. I had stepped out of the room during the print, and came back and it looked like it wasn't putting down any plastic, but it was making the motions. Then I realized the spool wasn't moving, but the extruder was slowly turning. I checked the resistance, and it's way over 200M Ohms. The bed one reads about 94 Ohms.

The printer is rock solid. Very happy with the quality. Electronics die, it happens.

-Max

[Tinyhead]

That sucks about the thermistor. Just be sure you don't end up shorting the wires.

When you print in PLA, you need to cool the filament as it's being extruded. http://repables.com/r/212/ You should print this guy out of ABS and there should have been a squirrel cage fan that came with the parts. That's what it's for.

Ends up like so:

It will be slightly different for you as I'm assuming you have a V2. The fan shroud is slightly different. The link I gave above is the shroud for the V2.

[Max]

Got the new themistor in place, and ABS loaded up, also the 0.35 mm nozzle. Looks great. I think the hotend was a little too hot, the longer bridges are a little sloppy, but still a lot better than the 1st 2 prints.

-Max