1

Hi everyone,

I got a few problems with my brand new FlashForge Creator Pro

1 - the first print was fine (ABS “test 42mm box” from the sd card)

but then I wanted to use PLA, I had already loaded filament in the left extruder, but then used the “remove filament” procedure from the menu, and now I cannot print PLA from the left extruder

I did not even use it the first time
I preheat it and when it is hot, I try to load the filament but it s stuck and does not go any further although I press the spring lever

2 - even if I remove the sd card and restart the printer and Flash print, as I “print” it just creates a gcode file, but does not send it to the printer

I unclicked “preview” but still the same

drivers are installed, I could even do a firmware update successfully

can you help me out ?

2

Flashprint only makes the file to put on the SD card.

Pressing the lever is a release for the extruder so it reduces the “grip” on the filament.

When you select “load filament” for the left what temp does it get to?

3

pla, I set it to 210°

4

after try/fail :

1 - I did not have the same issue with the 1st ABS print, so maybe it’s a temperature issue

I just cannot print PLA at all, it messes the whole thing everytime, even if the PLA sticks to the print bed, I get spagetis around the nozzle

I tried 210° 200°, I tried 50° bed and no bed heat,it just does not work at all, I get spaghetis

the nozzle is even bleeding plastic before even starting

2 - also the printer head goes in the (wrong) corner, so I cant access it to clean it before the print

cos aparentlty the printer does not clean itself before printing (thought it was a default feature for that price)

3 - I tried to print a custom ABS part, but no matter which extruder I choose on the printer or in the FlashCrap software, it sticks to the left nozzle

5

To unload I actually choose load wait till the filament starts comming out of the nozzle, and then I switch to unload. It’s the easiest way to remove the filament, the lever isn’t really that useful.

6

Sounds like the nozzle isn’t close enough to the print bed, try it a little closer and you should have much less spaghetti:)

7

It looks similar to the issue I had when I first started printing pla. I had all sorts of problems getting the print to actually stick. I tried a glass bed and that helped somewhat, then I put blue painters tape on the bed and it made all the difference. When the tape starts to wear off I smean some isopropyl alcohol and it gets rejuvenated… good luck trying to get the print OFF the glass !

8

but there is already some kind of blue tape installed on the bed from factory so I am not sure adding tape is really necessary

some say pla needs lower temperature but the guy from official FFCP support tells me to go up to 220°

some say there should not be bed preheating, some say it should be from 50° to 70°

adding to that the galaxy of settings available in the printing software itself, I am a bit lost

currently digging about “best” pla/abs settings

9

to me the lever is like “in the way” and painfull on the fingers while pushing that damned filament in that bloody nozzle

10

do the blue plastic sheet needs to slide freely under the noozle?

or do the nozzles have to scratch a bit on it when adjusting the bed ?

the thing is that the printer head goes in an accesible front left corner while bleeding plastic

so when it starts printing, it messes up everything

11

220 is a little high. I don’t have a problem at 195. The painters tape is different to the stuff that the printer cones with. Also the bed isn’t that great, sometimes they are slightly warped. A borosilicate glass sheet makes a huge difference as does the painters tape. Trust me it’s the best upgrade you can do to get prints to stick :slight_smile:

12

The plastic leveling sheet is a little too thick. Try some thin office paper. You should be almost struggling to move that paper around but not so that it tears the paper :slight_smile: At the very least, the paper should feel ‘gritty’ when you move it.

13

I would stay around 200 for PLA and maybe start at 210 or so. I would also not really go above 65 for the bed and even then lower it by 5 after the first layer.

14

You shouldn’t have to “push” the filament in. Use the load/unload from the printer panel. Nothing needs to be forced.

15

so far I got 2 9x6 mirrors cut in the store (mirror might be handy for many reasons)

I also found these little fellows : http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1296854/#files

as for the painter tape, I found in the local store, but it’s not blue, it’s TESA white rolls, guess it’s gonna work, just gonna try

lol can’t wait to get out of work today :slight_smile:

16

No clue what that is, but I know proper 3m scotch painters tape works a dream :slight_smile:

17

I realized ABS does not stick either (ex:220° bed:110°)

why on earth do they provide such a lame surface by default

[edit : found this http://prototype.build/3d-printer/3d-printer-flashforge-creator-pro-print-settings/#comment-1514

- printing at 240° seems to do the trick

- I re leveled my bed with a thin office paper (0.1 mm)

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