Suggestions for print quality

[jb11]

I am not sure where this would go because it is a general question for my setup. Please let me know if there is a more appropriate place for the post.

I recently built my first 3D printer and have been playing with settings and tools. Today I completed my first relatively good print, compared to all of my test prints up to this point. But I am wondering how typical this kind of print is for my setup and if there are suggestions for the best print for what I am doing.

My printer is the Alunar M505 Prusa i3 https://www.amazon.com/ALUNAR-Deskto.../dp/B018XJ3E02 and I am using Hatchbox 1.75mm PLA. I am also have tempered glass on the bed https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QQ5Q3BI/. I was playing with Cura 2.1.2 for a bit but was reading that 15.0.4 might actually be better, plus that is the version that comes on the SD card with the printer. The print I just did was with Cura 15.0.4. I am also using Pronterface to communicate with the printer from my computer (Win7).

I downloaded these miniature models from Thingiverse and used the wizard.stl http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:945822

Here are images of my print.

20170125_163326s.jpg20170125_163421s.jpg20170125_163414s.jpg20170125_163429s.jpg

I know that with supports, there will be some cleanup. But I am not sure how much of what is seen here is common or not. I know there is a lot of trial and error to getting things right, but are there any glaring errors that I am making with my current configuration?

These are my current Cura settings are mostly suggestions I have found online and played with.

[profile]
layer_height = 0.1
wall_thickness = 0.8
retraction_enable = True
solid_layer_thickness = 0.8
fill_density = 25
nozzle_size = 0.4
print_speed = 40
print_temperature = 210
print_temperature2 = 0
print_temperature3 = 0
print_temperature4 = 0
print_temperature5 = 0
print_bed_temperature = 60
support = Touching buildplate
platform_adhesion = Brim
support_dual_extrusion = Both
wipe_tower = False
wipe_tower_volume = 15
ooze_shield = False
filament_diameter = 1.75
filament_diameter2 = 0
filament_diameter3 = 0
filament_diameter4 = 0
filament_diameter5 = 0
filament_flow = 107
retraction_speed = 25
retraction_amount = 0.8
retraction_dual_amount = 16.5
retraction_min_travel = 0.1
retraction_combing = Off
retraction_minimal_extrusion = 0.01
retraction_hop = 0
bottom_thickness = 0.3
layer0_width_factor = 100
object_sink = 0
overlap_dual = 0.15
travel_speed = 120
bottom_layer_speed = 15
infill_speed = 50
solidarea_speed = 15
inset0_speed = 40
insetx_speed = 60
cool_min_layer_time = 15
fan_enabled = True
skirt_line_count = 1
skirt_gap = 3.0
skirt_minimal_length = 150.0
fan_full_height = 0.3
fan_speed = 35
fan_speed_max = 75
cool_min_feedrate = 10
cool_head_lift = False
solid_top = True
solid_bottom = True
fill_overlap = 10
perimeter_before_infill = False
support_type = Lines
support_angle = 50
support_fill_rate = 15
support_xy_distance = 0.8
support_z_distance = 0.15
spiralize = False
simple_mode = False
brim_line_count = 10
raft_margin = 5.0
raft_line_spacing = 2.0
raft_base_thickness = 0.5
raft_base_linewidth = 1.0
raft_interface_thickness = 0.27
raft_interface_linewidth = 0.4
raft_airgap_all = 0.0
raft_airgap = 0.1
raft_surface_layers = 2
raft_surface_thickness = 0.25
raft_surface_linewidth = 0.6
fix_horrible_union_all_type_a = True
fix_horrible_union_all_type_b = False
fix_horrible_use_open_bits = False
fix_horrible_extensive_stitching = False
plugin_config = (lp1
    .
object_center_x = -1
object_center_y = -1

Thanks

[curious aardvark]

Hmm, your settings look okay. But that is a ridiculous amount of stringing and blobbing.

Not sure I've even had it at that level with nylon.

Is there any way of getting more detailed settings for retraction ?
Also might be worth lowering the print temp to 200 and see if it makes any difference.

The print on the main figure isn't bad, so it's mainly travel and retraction settings that don't seem to be doing the job.

(finds the scroll slider lol)
Yeah you need to up the retraction speed to 60 ish (ideally as fast as it will manage, most extruders can handle 60) and retraction distance to at least 1.8mm.

Do you have a print area cooling fan ?
Pretty much essential for pla and will make a noticeable difference on small items.

[jb11]

I have an extruder fan. I will try the print again with the adjusted settings and see how it works.

[jb11]

I adjusted the temp and retraction as suggested. It made it slightly better, but there is still a lot of stringing across the gaps. Which settings should I keep playing with to reduce it? You said at least 1.8mm for retraction distance. Should I go more?

Here are images. The new one is on the right.

20170126_153018s.jpg20170126_153046s.jpg20170126_153111s.jpg20170126_153141s.jpg

[curious aardvark]

just looked at the model.
Needs a lot of supports.

Have you removed the supports below the sleeves ?
Only thing I can think of is that either retraction just isn't working or it's picking up blobs from the sleeves.
Weirdly the head and staff are the best bits for non-supported printing.

It's not a tiny model - but is pretty small.
Try printing 2 at once. For small items, that usually helps quite a bit.

Also you'll be able to see if it's actually retracting during travels.

You might also want to check for minimum retraction distance. The gap between the head and staff might not be large enough to actually trigger retraction.

Even so that'sa lot of plastic, ideally it should just look like spiderweb.

Might also be an idea to go through the head calibration again. You're definitely over extruding.

[jb11]

I have been printing at 150% of the original model. The gap between the staff and body is about 3mm at the narrow part above the hand. My minimum travel is 0.1mm.

I am trying again, but lowering the temp a little bit more, and bumping the retraction speed and distance a bit. I will watch when it gets to the nasty but to make sure it is retracting.

[curious aardvark]

try two at once.