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Hi all…

Ive had my ctc for over a year (bought second hand with a weeks use) and have in the last couple of weeks started on the long road of 3D printer discovery lol.

I purchased and fitted a few upgrade parts including all the green parts that can be seen in the pics… also changed all the bearings out for Igus Drylin RJ4JP-01-08 and changed all the GT2 drive pulleys for aluminium 17t ones as mine came fitted with all plastic.

Ive also changed out the thermistor on the heated bed for a more suitable 100k one as the temp reading on the printer and then with my laser thermometer were 20 or 30 degrees out, no im only a couple out…

I have also enclosed the sides and front of with acrylic still thinking about doing the top but make sure the room where the printer is, is warm.

The printer came to me with sailfish 7.7 installed and im using simplify 3d with the latest ctc fff.

I’m using Excelvan 1.75mm ABS. (excelvan recommended print temp is 220 - 240)

When i first tried to print it wouldnt extrude the feed mechanism was just slipping i think, i was printing at 40mm per sec with heated bed set at 110 and extruder set to 230… i stripped the extruder down and managed to tighten the feed mech by loosening the screws and pushing it to the side so it got a bit more purchase when tightened back up…

on the next try i got stutter from the extruder stepper motor so did a bit of reading and dropped the print speed to 30mm per sec and upped the extruder temp to 240… still no joy,

So upped the extruder to 250 and bingo… printing :slight_smile:

still getting a bit of stutter when loading the filament but for the most part im getting prints…

I know the stock thermistor on the heated bed is absolute garbage, but how about the extruder?? Ive been trying to find out how to measure the temp of the extruder to find out the real temp but from what ive read its seems like a black art…

Ive also got myself a new feed mechanism and will be fitted it in the next day or so.

Any body else have any experience with Excelvan abs and the ctc, am i safe to up the temp from 250 and maybe then be able to up the print speed?? see attached pics and feel free to comment on the quality as im still a total noob and all the info i can get will be greatly appreciated…

Many thanks in advance Dave

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*I have also fitted a borosilicate glass bed

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Hey,

I was in the same boat, had my CTC with Makerware & S3D for about 2 years now. I use it for ABS, I laser cut an enclosure and upgraded it as much as possible haha.

ANYWAYS, some things that definitely helped with this printer, printing temperature calibration prints, as we both know the thermistor is garbage. I print at 190C and I see perfect prints. The link is below & on thingiverse. This will give you a idea of where you should be printing temperature wise, I usually look at a good clean temperature and increase it by 5C to account for variation with the fan.

ALSO, adding some 3-in-1 oil to the throat or even using a filter like this has gotten me out of a few jamming/clogging scenarios. Hope this helps, keep the questions coming!