How to I get 2 skirts around the model?

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a4jp.com
Posts: 20
Joined: 14 Nov 2014, 11:39

How to I get 2 skirts around the model?

Post by a4jp.com »

I can get a single skirt around my model but I want 2. How do I do that?

Support > Prime Pillar / Skirt / Wall: Skirt (1st layer only)
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PenskeGuy
Posts: 98
Joined: 08 Nov 2014, 18:04

Re: How to I get 2 skirts around the model?

Post by PenskeGuy »

Why?
a4jp.com
Posts: 20
Joined: 14 Nov 2014, 11:39

Re: How to I get 2 skirts around the model?

Post by a4jp.com »

A few skirt setting would be very useful.
I live in a humid part of Japan and the PLA filament swells slightly making printing a bit tricky at times.
Even though it is really difficult to calculate the perfect filament diameter the skirt allows me to get really nice prints.

In my case:

Skirts are really good for measuring the extruded PLA on the bed with calipers for quick adjustments, without wasting heaps of material.
One skirt around a model usually has too many thickness variations and it makes measurements inaccurate.
Brims connect to models and they need to be cut off so I don't want to use those settings if possible.
Two loops are usually enough in almost any situation, but one isn't.
Using skirts is also a nice way to make sure the PLA is flowing properly and sticks to the bed just before the model prints, without getting blobby or stringy lines on the base of the model where the print begins.
After checking the start of the skirt, I can pause the print if something goes wrong and adjust the bed to get a perfect print.

I usually print small houses so the room temperature also affects the models (2.9mm x 3.9mm x 11.4mm).
Skirts somehow lock in the heat.

These are a few of the reasons why I would like to be able to have at least two loops at times as an option if possible.
Garry Bartsch
Posts: 31
Joined: 07 Nov 2014, 15:56
Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Re: How to I get 2 skirts around the model?

Post by Garry Bartsch »

I agree that more skirts around the model really can help to ensure it's well primed. And if there is a little bit of plastic adhering to the nozzle tip it is usually wiped off as the skirts are printing ensuring the nozzle is totally clean when starting the part. I'd like the choice of number of skirts as Slic3r has.
"And when people stop caring, that's when crime breeds, and criminals take over." Beavis
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PenskeGuy
Posts: 98
Joined: 08 Nov 2014, 18:04

Re: How to I get 2 skirts around the model?

Post by PenskeGuy »

a4jp.com wrote:A few skirt setting would be very useful.
I live in a humid part of Japan and the PLA filament swells slightly making printing a bit tricky at times.
Minimize, if not eliminate, the humidity issue by at least partially enclosing your printer and setting a 50W reflector bulb pointing into the cavity. Keeps my PLA nice and dry and the build chamber is a constant environment.
a4jp.com wrote:Skirts are really good for measuring the extruded PLA on the bed with calipers for quick adjustments, without wasting heaps of material.
One skirt around a model usually has too many thickness variations and it makes measurements inaccurate.
Have never found an issue with micing skirt thickness of one skirt in order to parallel or Z calibrate the bed. Very accurate. There may be width variations but the thickness is not a problem. Why would it be?
a4jp.com wrote:Two loops are usually enough in almost any situation, but one isn't.
Never found this to make any difference, but I'm probably not running the same hardware as you.
a4jp.com wrote:Skirts somehow lock in the heat.
Then we must be talking about different things. A skirt is one layer thick. Can't lock in a whole lot of heat when it's only 0.009" high.
a4jp.com
Posts: 20
Joined: 14 Nov 2014, 11:39

Re: How to I get 2 skirts around the model?

Post by a4jp.com »

The humidity problem is with the manufacturer so I can't do much about it.
I have an air conditioner/heater so the humidity in my room is almost perfect though.
I'll try the bulb idea and see if it makes a difference.

I think the thickness problem is because of the varying width of the filament.
I could be wrong though.
My bed is as level as can be.

Maybe I should have bought a different 3D printer but I could only get the one I have or lower level ones where I live.
At least this one can get fixed if something goes wrong in the first year.

If it's still okay, I'd like to ask for a setting to increase the number of skirts if possible.
The brim and raft settings you have are adjustable and useful.
I just wish I could do the same with the skirt.
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