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I have Flashforge Creator Pro, I think 2015 edition. I have never been able to print ABS without a raft. It does not stick to platform, but if there is a raft, it will. I see others do it. I have used it as it was shipped (picture included) I have tried Kapton tape over the platform. It did not stick to the tape. Has anyone else had this problem. If so, how did you solve this? Thanks.

Neilford

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First make sure the nozzle has the same distance all over the bed (thickness of an A4 paper). For printing without raft you need to print the first layer very slowly. Make sure Z axis settings has no offset from zero coordinate. You can decrease the filament diameter in the program like 1.75mm to 1.73mm and let it over-extrude a little bit if it doesn’t stick. If it didn’t help, get a hair dryer and blow hot air slowly just on top of the first layer until it’s finished and then let it go.

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Ok This may be a stupid question, but how do I change speeds in the middle of printing? I am loading my print code to an SD card, so I would need to do that before I output to the card. Thanks

Neilford

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Um

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Are you using Simplify3D? if so you can set the first layer speed to like 15mm/s and set the speed for the rest of the print differently.

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First, get flashprint, which has great default settings for your printer.

Second, if you can afford it, get simplify3d, which will help alot.

Get a glass build plate, print a shim, and use aquanet as substrate for the surface.

Until then:

Make sure your bed is clean.

Level your build plate as follows:

run the level build plat utility.

Taking a piece of copy paper, start with the front bed tensioner, with the paper between the print head and the build plate, where the front tensioner is. (move the extruder to that point).

Tighten the screw, or loosen the screw, to get to the point just to where the paper will BARELY move under the print head.

You want the paper tight, with a lot of friction, but still able to be moved.

Move the paper and print head to the back left screw, do the same thing. Then the right screw.

Then do the front screw again.

Your bed should be level.

ABS does stick to the platform material that comes with your printer, you just need to get really good at the art of leveling.

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Really simple or should be! Level the build plate using a sheet of paper and then use a glue stick heat it to around 90 c and BOOM your prints should stick just fine and if this doesn’t work come back and tell us what settings you are using :slight_smile: it should be simple … simple is good! I love the blue build plate material I use them and also glass and polycarbonate sheet I love them all!

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Check your first layer nozzle to bed distance, sounds like it is too large a gap. All my printing has always smashed the first layer to about 1/2 layer height.

Note, I’m no expert but this is my limited experience and my prints NEVER came off unless the head hot the print after drooping Z during a pause. THAT was on my old Solidoodle Press too.

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I have considered everything you guys have suggested. I think what I have done, has gotten me some success. I did 3 things:

1) slowed down printing of 1st layer

2) made the first layer half height

3) raised temperature of build table to 115 C

now, I have consistent prints without raft, but I am get some bad layering under. See pic.

Thanks for all your help, so far.

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Those layers did not get a chance to cool down enough and be ready for another layer. Use an external fan to blow the air side to side.

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That is, litterally, a hot mess.

First, if this is PLA, you need to lower your extruding temperature as low as possible, while still getting even extrusion.

Second, you need active cooling. You need a fan blowing on each layer, so that it cools before the next layer is placed down. If you do not have a fan on the printer, add one. In the meantime, grab a fan from around the house, and blow it on the print as it prints.

You can also increase your “cooling” time setting.

If this is ABS, you are printing way to hot.

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Hello neilford!,

I had this same exact problem printing ABS with my Flashforge Creator Pro and ABS, I got to the point where I would pause the print and glue it down to the bed until a friend of mine who also has a Creator Pro said I should raise the bed temp to 130 C. I have had no problems since then and have changed nothing else about the printed. Set the preheat temp to 130 C for the bed and make sure to override the GC temp.