3D Printers/FlashForge Creator Pro

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FlashForge Creator Pro

Status

  • The octopi4.hacklab.to link is not working, even after power cycling the raspberry pi. You can print from the printer directly by putting your print file on an SD card, there is one already in the printer. It only accepts x3g files, so you will have to convert your .gcode file (made in slic3r) to x3g using this utility http://markwal.github.io/GpxUi/
  • Operational
  • The 2nd print head not working until parts are purchased & replaced.
  • Needs vertical head alignment
  • Slic3r Settings here
  • http://octopi4.hacklab.to/ // http://192.168.111.142


Features

Background information on printer and review of it -- http://www.best3dprinterguide.com/flashforge-creator-x-review-dual-extruder-3d-printer/

  • FlashForge Creator Pro
  • 225 x 145 x 150 mm print volume (less with dual extrusion?)
  • Dual extruder
  • 1.75mm filament
  • Absolute max temp: 250 C
  • Heated bed

Usage

Creator Pro uses different toolchain than the rest of the printers in the lab. This printer is based on one of Makerbot printers and Makerbot as a company would rather have you use Windows-only makerbod-approved software.

However, it is possible, to use the printer with open source toolchain based on Slic3r. Slic3r Prusa Edition is highly recommended.

Detailed instructions are here -- http://data.flamy.ca/printer_config/doc/cretor_pro_config.html

It is still possible to use makerbot software, just generate an .x3g file instead of .gcode and upload it to octoprint.

It is still possible to use cura, just edit and save your models with STL, then load them into Slic3r and print

Slic3r Settings

Alternatively, overwrite whole Slic3r config. If you have other printer settings, they will be destroyed!

See https://github.com/prusa3d/Slic3r-settings

Print Settings

These are general printer settings that work. If filament has different temperature settings, follow filament temperature settings.

Smaller prints will better adhere to the bed than larger prints. If the print hasn't failed in the first 10% of the print job, it will unlikely to fail after that.

Use Cubic Infill (Available only in Slic3r prusa edition), as it provides rigidity in all directions [1] and doesn't make printer resonate.

Do not use honeycomb -- as at the speeds of the default settings, it will cause printer to resonate and skip.


PLA:


In Slic3r in Fillament Settings tab, Right Extruder filament profile and in Print Settings tab, Fast print profile.

First Layer: 

  Filament: 220
  Bed:       70


Other Layers: 

  Filament: 210
  Bed:      60


ABS:

In Slic3r in Fillament Settings tab, ABS Right filament profile and in Print Settings tab, ABS_first_layer print profile. Currently profile is set to 6 skirt layers -- this is normal, ABS needs wide skirt for better adhesion to the bed.


When printing, you absolutely have to have a heated chamber, or ABS prints will definitely warp and very likely will not stick to kapton tape.

In order to construct heated chamber -- cover the front of printer with a piece of plywood or MDF from the workshop and put some cardboard on top of the printer out of extruder path so the heat escapes more slowly. Pre-heating heaated bed for 5 minutes before starting helps a lot -- set the Bed temperature to 100C in Octopi temperature tab.

ABS Juice: help with sticking to the bed (especially for large prints)

  • when bed is cool, wipe the kapton tape clean with acetone (I used a paper towel with acetone on it)
  • take a clean paper towel, put acetone on it and wipe a piece of the ABS with it to get some 'ABS juice' on the towel. Then wipe this over the bed. There should be some failed prints in the 3D printer, or check the mini-can beside the 3D printer for failed prints
  • allow to dry completely (~5 minutes), you should see streaks of ABS on the bed. Heat up bed and print as usual.
  • ABS should now stick well. Remember to block the build volume to stop air drafts.

It's better to start ABS prints towards the back of the printer where ambient temperature is more stable. To disable auto-centering, in Slic3r Prusa Edition go to File --> Preferences then uncheck 'Auto-center Parts'.

First Layer: 

   Fillament: 240
   Bed:       100
   Bed for large prints: 120, use ABS juice!! (See above)


Other Layers: 

   Fillament: 235
   Bed:       95
   Bed for large prints: 110

Octoprint at octopi4.hacklab.to

Maintenance Resources

Cleaning the Extruder Drive Gear on a FlashForge Creator Pro 3D Printer -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmIY9_6s8Ss

Flashforge Creator Pro ABS Nozzle Cleaning -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3yp6H4D_ao

Applying Kapton Tape -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVXB2_-rFuU

Aligning Dual Extruders on FlashForge Creator Pro -- http://3dprintboard.com/showthread.php?2433-Flashforge-Creator-Dual-Pro-How-to-fix-Dual-Extruders-dragging-across-prints

FlashForge Creator X, Pro & Dreamer Nozzle Height Adjustment -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pAPA0mImhI

Maintenance Log

Most recent entries at the top.

Date Notes Entry By
May 2, 2017 Left side of the bed was way higher than the right side. This caused some damage to kapton tape. Re-aligned by eye. Alex V.
Apr 27, 2017 Printed something that was ~90% as long as the short side of the bed (y-axis in slic3r). Had to level the bed a little bit, but it printed fine. I used ABS juice to get it to stick (and blocked the build volume with cardboard) Rana
Feb 18, 2017 Myles mentioned about unlevelled printing bed. I leveled the bed properly, however I printed a small model in the middle of the table. Everything works fine. If you will print a large model may be you will need additional tuning. Mike P.
Feb 9, 2017 Replaced the original print head plate with 3D printed model to reduce strain on wires going to print head. Added 3D printed extruder cable support. The original print head plate in my members' box. Alex V.
Jan 31, 2017 Corrected wire order on right drive motor, both motors feed filament correctly now. Nozzles need to be vertically aligned, one is lower than the other and scrapes the previous layers. Adam
Jan 26, 2017 Replaced Fillament with Orange Monoprice. Cleaned nozzles, drive gears. Right gear doesn't pull fillament properly. Either gear or nozzle needs to be replaced. Alex V, Myles, Mike P
Dec 29, 2016 Bed level adjusted. Heated bed support needs to be disassembled and left front (my left) leveling assembly needs to be readjusted Alex V.
Nov 29, 2016 Right Extruder cleaned, Left Extruder should be clean too Rana
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