Problems printing Larger prints

Hi Everyone

I have been running prints off for about a week now, and have hit a snag.

I seem to be able to handle smaller items, but larger items present a challenge.

Firstly, it seems that I am feeding too much plastic, and it is building up on the first 3 solid layers.

Secondly it is causing a fairly dramatic shift on the y axis

Hopefully what i mean is visible in the photos.

I have a Prusa Mendel Style Printer,

Running RAMPS 1.4 on Aurduino Mega2560
Pronterface and Slic3r
Running Sprinter Firmware

Settings in Pronterface:

Print Settings:
-Perimeters: 2
-Solid Layers: 3
-Fill Density: 0.2

Retraction:
-Length(mm): 1
-Lift Z(mm): 0.
-Speed (mm/s): 30
-Extra Length on restart(mm): 0
-Min travel after retraction (mm): 2

-Layer Height: 0.3
-First layer height ratio: 1
-Infil every N layers: 1

Printer
-Nozzle Diameter (mm): 0.4
-Z offset(mm): 0
-Filament Diameter(mm): 3
-Extrusion multiplier: 1
Temperature(c): 200
First Layer Temperature: 200

Print Speed
-Perimeters (mm/s): 60
-Small perimeters (mm/s): 60
-Infill (mm/s): 60
-Solid Infill (mm/s): 60
-Bridges (mm/s): 60

Other speed settings
-Travel (mm/s): 130
-Bottom Layer Speed Ratio: 0.3
-Bridge flow ratio: 1

Any Suggestions to improve print settings would be greatly appreciated.

UPDATE

So I went hunting for some other posts that might help.

Found:

Printing Issues|Nozzle Dragging
this mentions a couple of good things to check

I am also trying switching to the latest release of Slic3r, and will upgrade my sprinter firmware if available.

Will follow up with results, but still very open to any further advice in the mean time

-Jaramaniac

Have you checked that your firmware steps per mm figure for the extruder match the amount of filament which is actually being pushed through? You might wish to take a look here :HERE for instructions if you are in any doubt.
Alan

Alzibiff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Have you checked that your firmware steps per mm
> figure for the extruder match the amount of
> filament which is actually being pushed through?
> You might wish to take a look here :HERE for
> instructions if you are in any doubt.
> Alan


You are bang on the money Alzibiff!!!

I did some research at work today, and I remembered coming across this.
Its a calculator for calibration from josef prusa.
and it outlines a process similar to Richrap's, Although at a glance, Richrap's is easier to understand.

As it turns out my steps per mm for my extruder were WAAAAAY too high.

After making the necessary adjustments, all I can say is, I was ASTOUNDED at the difference it made.

I am currently running off a yoda bust from thingiverse thing:14104 at 50% scale, and will upload a photo that shows a before and after calibration difference tomorrow

As Promised (and sorry for the delay)

Here is a picture to show the difference just changing the flow rate made.

-Jaramaniac

To fine tune your extruded calibration even further, follow these instructions: [github.com]