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Prusament galaxy silver PLA won't stop balling up  

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onewheelskyward
(@onewheelskyward)
Active Member
Prusament galaxy silver PLA won't stop balling up

Hey there!  I've had my Mini+ since December and I've had lots of successful prints- but none with the Prusament silver PLA I received.  Other Prusament PET-G works fine, and I've used another brand's PLA and it works fine as well- the galaxy silver tends to ball up in the first few layers and then the whole print just kind of goes out of control.

It's done this since I opened the vacuum sealed package, so I presume contamination isn't a concern.  Any tips on what might be going wrong?  It's worth noting I've replaced the extruder with a bondtech dual-drive model and replaced the heatbreak, but I still can't get this filament to print.  

Thanks!

Posted : 04/03/2021 11:18 pm
mlcrabill liked
fuchsr
(@fuchsr)
Famed Member
RE: Prusament galaxy silver PLA won't stop balling up

Prusament Galaxy Silver is one of my favorite colors and I’ve printed many many rolls of that filament with no problems. I also have the Bondtech extruder. It’s certainly possible that you’ve received a lemon. Sometimes (but rarely) happens. As it was still sealed I doubt it soaked up humidity and what you described doesn’t sound like that. I would redo Live Z for this filament to make sure you have a perfect first layer and print a temp tower. What temperature is your print bed set to? Maybe adjust the tension screw on the extruder to see if that makes a difference?

Posted : 05/03/2021 12:29 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Prusament galaxy silver PLA won't stop balling up

@fuchsr

I concur.  Clean the bed and redo your Z height

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 05/03/2021 1:22 pm
onewheelskyward
(@onewheelskyward)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusament galaxy silver PLA won't stop balling up

Nice, thanks folks!  I definitely clean after every print and I can give a re-z + a bit more extruder tension a shot.  After that I'll take a pic of the results.  

Posted : 05/03/2021 4:42 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Prusament galaxy silver PLA won't stop balling up

@onewheelskyward

Thanks.  A pic will defintely help.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 05/03/2021 5:56 pm
onewheelskyward
(@onewheelskyward)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusament galaxy silver PLA won't stop balling up

So this is a normal print with some pet-g.  9h until I can put the pla back on there.  🙂

Posted : 05/03/2021 7:31 pm
onewheelskyward
(@onewheelskyward)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Prusament galaxy silver PLA won't stop balling up

Oh for the love of.... it's working fine now.  Heiseberg principle perhaps?  

Posted : 06/03/2021 6:18 am
draeh
(@draeh)
Active Member
RE: Prusament galaxy silver PLA won't stop balling up

I see your using the PEI sheet. I followed all the Prusa recommendations regarding cleaning with IPA, but I couldn't keep the first layer from coming loose. Even when I tuned my Z until the filament was smashed on the bed. What I found that works for me is Dawn dish wash soap. I wash the plate before every single print now and it seems to be doing the trick.

Posted : 06/03/2021 2:18 pm
mlcrabill
(@mlcrabill)
New Member
RE: Prusament galaxy silver PLA won't stop balling up

@onewheelskyward

What did you do to fix it? Having a similar issue. Was able to finally print the “Prusa” logo but can’t print a whistle or benchy. Won’t adhere to the bed. 

Posted : 06/03/2021 10:54 pm
jsw
 jsw
(@jsw)
Famed Member
RE: Prusament galaxy silver PLA won't stop balling up

I too regard the Prusa silver-gray PLA that comes with the printer as the gold standard as to how a filament should behave on the Prusa printers.  Unless I have a specific reason not to, I'll switch to that filament when doing a Z calibration.  I've found that when the Z is dialed in with the Prusa silver-gray PLA, most any other filament will properly print as well.

I've found a good second-source of this filament to be at the online store of Filament PM here in the States.  I always keep it on hand on the spool rack and use it whenever a silver-gray PLA is the desired media for the job.

If this filament will not properly print (assuming that it's not a one-off bad spool or wet or damaged) on the I3 series, something is definitely wrong, most likely the Z calibration.

Posted : 07/03/2021 1:13 am
onewheelskyward
(@onewheelskyward)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
...

So I've done a number of things, including a full recalibration after printing the mini base feet.  I'm not sure which thing fixed it, but starting fresh with a full printer test and a first level calibration are probably a good thing.  It's been really good since then, and the only issue I continue to have is when I download an internet stl with multiple objects in the print.  So I separate them out and everything seems fine.  I hope you have luck soon!

Posted : 25/07/2021 9:36 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
Calibration

Calibration or sheet cleaning are the top ways to increase adhesion.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 26/07/2021 1:37 am
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