Anycubic Photon

[Chris333]

Well I'm 0-1.     Nothing printed but a thin layer stuck to the vat.  Will have to research...

Jason

I'm using 8 bottom layers exposed at 40 seconds. 1.5s off time. 7.5s normal layer time.

The print I showed that lifted in one corner. The next print after that failed. So I drained the vat and cleaned the film. Next print after that worked. I did a re-level then as well.

[Mark W]

My first print did the same.  I took some fine-grit sandpaper to add texture and improve adhesion.

Also, if the top of the failed print looks smooth, it could be that your plate is good, but exposure time for bottom layers is too short.  If the top is not smooth but has a subtle texture, then your Z axis zero is too high. 

[MK]

I think you can only use one of those coupons at once though.

I'm seriously annoyed with my post office right now.  Package number one from amazon was "handed off directly," only it wasn't to me.  Amazon ships me a free replace, expedited shipping, *and the same thing happened again today.* I was even home waiting to receive it. Who knew a gallon of IPA would be this much trouble.     And at this point I'm very scared about receiving any packages at all.   

Have a discussion with your town's Postmaster General!

[wcfn100]

I took it all down and cleaned and re-leveled with a less 'friction' on the paper.  I think maybe it was too close.  I'll at least be home this time to check after a while if it failed.

My clear plastic on the vat is already all foggy and streaky.  Is that normal?

Jason

[Mark W]

I connected with @Lemosteam and exchanged a few files for testing.  I think he'll be quite satisfied with the results, but we'll wait to see once he takes a look. 

A shell is born.


https://i.imgur.com/3D77Gll.jpg


Here's a look with the supports.


https://i.imgur.com/WjyT3KE.jpg


For this one, I literally ripped the supports free, like (slowly) ripping off a band-aid. 


https://i.imgur.com/nkm2SVx.jpg


Here's a little bit of panel line accent to show the details.


https://i.imgur.com/W0is17r.jpg


And a look at the inside.


https://i.imgur.com/wqDo8jR.jpg

[Lemosteam]

No fair. You took all the bits out!  Looks good so far, I do see some imperfections that could affect the looks. Are all of the slots and holes there? Back corners of tender for grabs, long slots inside the grooves at the bottom. Coal doors look great!

[Chris333]

Man that looks good. I just ordered some grey resin.
@Mark W  what settings are using in the slicer for grey?

[tom mann]

I feel like this should have it’s own board here.

[chessie system fan]

That shell does look really good.  It bodes well for the stuff I want to try.   How thin is the shell? 

I tried sniffing the resin again (for science  ) to see if I could describe it, and it reminds me of a dry-erase marker. And about as potent.  If you can stand one of those then you can stand the resin.

[rodsup9000]

My clear plastic on the vat is already all foggy and streaky.  Is that normal?

Jason

 

 Jason, it should be very clear. When I cleaned mine when I switched to the gray resin, I used a soft bristle toothbrush with the IPA and it left mine foggy too. From now on when I clean the vat, I'll use a soft cotton cloth with the IPA to clean.   

[John]

Everytime you guys mention IPA i want to go to the beer fridge 

[DKS]

I feel like this should have it’s own board here.

Actually, given how much attention is being (and likely will be) paid to the Photon--and rapid prototyping in general--that may actually make sense.

I'd be tempted to play along and get a Photon, but I still don't have a place for it, much less any time to play with it. I'll just have to enjoy it vicariously through others here.

Edit: If you don't want to add yet another top-level board, I'd make Challenges a sub-board of N and Z Scales, or something like that. But I do think Rapid Prototyping would serve modelers well as a new top-level board.

 

[rodsup9000]

  My first 2 prints have failed on the 1st or 2nd layer with the gray resin. 3rd looks like it going to print OK as it's up to the 4th later now.

  .03    layer height
  16     normal exposure
  2      off
  100   bottom exposure 
  8       layers bottom

 

[Mark W]

No fair. You took all the bits out!  Looks good so far, I do see some imperfections that could affect the looks. Are all of the slots and holes there? Back corners of tender for grabs, long slots inside the grooves at the bottom. Coal doors look great!

Yeah, once you remove Shapeway's restrictions, part position/orientation becomes a lot more practical. 

All slots and holes are there, though some of them turned into just dimples.  I printed this one at 50 micron layer height.

What areas do you see that you would call imperfect? 

Man that looks good. I just ordered some grey resin.
What settings are using in the slicer for grey?

50 micron layers:
B-115s
N-18s

25-20 micron layers:
B-95s
N-12s


I haven't seen/found a reason to change bottom layers to anything other than the default (eight), yet.  The build plate takes 6.5 seconds to reset between layers, so any setting/adjustment below 6.5 is effectively moot.  Again, I haven't seen/found a reason to change this to anything other than 6.5s. 

But also, remember I had to set the Z axis zero (Za0) an extra .2mm snug, after the paper sticks during leveling.  However I would suggest the long and safe process before just adding another .2mm down on the leveling.  First: level with Za0 set to the point the paper stick, and run a test print that you can stop once the platform is formed.  Check your plate and confirm whether it's stuck (and stuck evenly from front to back and left to right).  If you're good, continue on. 
If not, remove the part from the FEP and inspect the top.  If it's smooth, the plate was in good position, but the layer exposure may need to be increased.  If it has a bit of texture to it, then the plate is too far away and you'll need to repeat leveling and set Za0 an extra .1mm down.  Repeat until you get adhesion or smooth tops on parts sticking to FEP.  Once you see smooth tops, if the parts are still not sticking to the plate, it is not a Za0 issue.

[rodsup9000]

Thank you for this info, fairly small part though.  My issues were with parts longer than 100mm.  Wonder if the angling of a model would affect those dimensions.  Would you be willing to print one at an angle and measure that one for comparison?

 Printed on a 30 degree angle with the back the lowest. This one was printed with gray resin, so maybe I need to reprint some with the translucent green as the first ones where.

 Overall length

 Drawing 27.1mm     Printed tank 26.65mm

 Width   
 
 Drawing 18.1mm    Printed tank  18.43mm

 Height   

 Drawing 5.3mm      Printed tank   5.42mm

 I'm drawing up a shay boiler now and would like to get it finished and printing today.