2019-10-15

Dissolvable PVA support

The TAZ Pro has two extruders which allows me to try and use dissolvable PVA support. Support is simple enough but hard to remove from the print cleanly, so using PVA allows extra options - just dissolve it!

I have had to play with the Simpify3D settings a bit as the settings for the TAZ 6 did not quite work. I am not sure if the bed is different, the nozzle, or what but my prints were almost welded to the bed. I have tweak the settings for nice clean prints with nGen now. The next challenge was settings for PVA supports.

I ordered some from RS (yes, the price was not silly, strangely), part 174-0082. Well, actually I ordered from someone else, and realised wrong diameter, after opening it, D'Oh, but now I have the right stuff I googled a bit to find temperature.

It is funny stuff, and I ended up printing at 205C which is apparently on the high side. I could also see from simply feeding the filament that it came out thick and slow (around 1mm).

The key setting needed to stop it just curling up was speed - it needs to be very slow. In the end I ran with 2x multiplier, 1mm wide, 20% print speed, and that actually worked. Well, mostly (the eyes went a tad wonky, but worked).


For a start, the PVA comes away from the model really easily, so that is a good start.


Then, put in warm water for a while to remove the last bits, and yay, it worked.


Now to try something more complex with enclosed parts that simply could not have been printed before.

2 comments:

  1. I used to have loads of problems with getting good adhesion to the print bed. Tried various tapes, PVA glue diluted with water and many other suggestions I found on the internet.

    I then discovered Printbite, just stick to your existing heated bed and print directly onto it. As soon as the bed cools down the print comes straight off. Just keep it grease free and clean with alcohol every now and then.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I assume your first order was 1.75mm? Where was that from, I've been looking to try soluble supports but everywhere I've seen the stuff it's crazily priced!!

    ReplyDelete

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