Smoothing PLA

[dem34]

Asking those that have more experience here. I have been experimenting with a Prusa Mini for a while now. And while the print quality once tuned is pretty stellar even for a filament printer there are still noticeable lines when painted, I know its inherent with the process and with most models I can just sand the prints smooth. Does anyone have their own techniques for more hard to reach places?

[Lemosteam]

@dem34 , See this thread.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=50861.msg687136#msg687136

[IronPenguin]

I recall reading a technique which involved putting the model in a sealed jar with a cloth soaked in acetone. The fumes smoothed the pla surface.  Never tried it, tho.

[samusi01]

@dem34 there is an interesting discussion I was reading today over at MRH regarding a recent software update that allows 'ironing' - see here:

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/42119

I don't know if it'd apply to your Prusa model but it might be worth looking at.

Sam

[dem34]

@dem34 there is an interesting discussion I was reading today over at MRH regarding a recent software update that allows 'ironing' - see here:

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/42119

I don't know if it'd apply to your Prusa model but it might be worth looking at.

Sam

Huh, thats actually something I was wondering, guess I'll update the firmware and take a look to see if its something the mini can do. Though I have to wonder what effect it has on clogging. Which is something thats a complete pain in a** with printing in 0.05mm layer heights.

Alright, should have done that sooner. Did not realize the sheer volume of new features added since september.

[dem34]

Did some experiments last night and yeah. Still need to work on lighting
Top is with the new settings added with the updates. Bottom is with the software Circa December.


Besides some blemishes from the part lifting, the panels are glassy smooth.

But the best part is that the one on top takes 2hrs 10 minutes to print compared to the bottom taking 4hrs to print.

With some editing to where the Ironing is aplied so it doesn't gum up some of the bracing the output is actually good enough to make filler cars for longer consists at a decent molded on detail level.

[timwatson]

Did some experiments last night and yeah. Still need to work on lighting
Top is with the new settings added with the updates. Bottom is with the software Circa December.


Besides some blemishes from the part lifting, the panels are glassy smooth.

But the best part is that the one on top takes 2hrs 10 minutes to print compared to the bottom taking 4hrs to print.

With some editing to where the Ironing is aplied so it doesn't gum up some of the bracing the output is actually good enough to make filler cars for longer consists at a decent molded on detail level.

What FDM printer produced such great great details? This is great.

[dem34]

What FDM printer produced such great great details? This is great.

Prusa Mini. Thing is pretty great for its price.

[Lemosteam]

Not criticizing, but is that a print defect on the upper just to the right of the rh door, lower?  Would love to see a closeup of the door there (not for the defect but for the surface quality,=.  Also what scale are they?

[dem34]

This is a file I found on Thingiverse for an N scale Pullman Standard 86' thats parted out into faces. And yeah that is a defect there where I think the part warped upwards a tad and the hotend bit into the material while ironing. When I get home I'll try to get a closer pic with better lighting.

[Lemosteam]

This is a file I found on Thingiverse for an N scale Pullman Standard 86' thats parted out into faces. And yeah that is a defect there where I think the part warped upwards a tad and the hotend bit into the material while ironing. When I get home I'll try to get a closer pic with better lighting.

Dang. Failure or not that is some nice surface quality!