Notifications
Clear all

PETG as Interface Layers for PLA+  

  RSS
Henry
(@henry-2)
Estimable Member
PETG as Interface Layers for PLA+

I've seen it discussed a few times already, but wasn't sure how well it would actually work out. I tried it a couple days ago, and it worked great.

Black: eSun PLA+ for the higher temperature  
White: Atomic PETG

Filament Settings: PLA+
First Layer: 225
Other Layers: 220
Everything else was default from generic PLA

Filament Settings: PETG
First Layer: 220
Other Layers: 220
Bed First layer: 60
Bed Other Layers: 60
Advanced Soluble material checked
Max volumetric speed 6 cubic mm per second
Retraction length 1.4mm 
Everything else was default from generic PETG

Print Settings
Top Z Contact Distance: 0 (soluble)
Top interface layers: 6 (I had to type it in. I tried 3 as a first test, but the PETG didn't come off in one nice piece)

I'm not sure that the embedded video is working, so here's a direct link: https://forum.prusa3d.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/20211122_102542_reduced.m4v

Posted : 23/11/2021 1:18 pm
ARU liked
ARU
 ARU
(@aru)
Eminent Member
RE: PETG as Interface Layers for PLA+

Good video! Would you mind posting a picture of the detail of the interface to see the finished interface surface?

Posted : 23/11/2021 1:43 pm
Henry
(@henry-2)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: PETG as Interface Layers for PLA+

Certainly! I haven't done any cleaning or touch up on the print yet. There's very little obvious difference between the top side and the interface side of the print until I zoomed in. Even then, the difference isn't huge. By far, the worst thing about the print is the stringiness of PLA+. Any issues with the interface layer is a distant second.

The next two pictures are of the top side of the print, so no PETG involvement on them.
 

The remaining pictures are of the surface to which the PETG was attached.

Posted : 23/11/2021 3:28 pm
ARU
 ARU
(@aru)
Eminent Member
RE: PETG as Interface Layers for PLA+

It looks very good! Good job!

Have you done this by swapping the 2 materials or using a MMU2S  unit?

Posted : 23/11/2021 4:12 pm
Henry
(@henry-2)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: PETG as Interface Layers for PLA+

MMU2S. Put it together maybe two weeks ago. Quite happy with it so far. I've only had to manually fix things twice out of a few hundred filament loads/unloads/swaps. One of those two times the main display was scrambled, so I don't know what happened with it.

Posted : 23/11/2021 5:16 pm
Area51
(@area51)
Member
PLA as Interface Layers for PETG?

Would it work the other way around - PLA as interface layer for a PETG part?

I mostly print in PETG and that would be a nice option for support on the MMU2S.

Have a look at my models on Printables.com 😉

Posted : 24/11/2021 2:30 pm
Henry
(@henry-2)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: PETG as Interface Layers for PLA+

It should work, yes. I'd suggest using a PLA that works well when printed at or near PETG temperatures. This is the main reason I used PLA+, despite the stringiness of it. I needed the nozzle temperature to be high enough to allow printing the PETG without it becoming a clog.

Posted : 24/11/2021 9:30 pm
Agkirk
(@agkirk)
Estimable Member
RE: PETG as Interface Layers for PLA+

Good chance the scrambled display is the result of static electric discharge. I use a 10MOhm resistor attached to the frame and a conductive wrist band.

Posted : 25/11/2021 12:57 am
Henry
(@henry-2)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: PETG as Interface Layers for PLA+

Nah, pretty sure it isn't ESD. I wear one of these on my ankle at all times: https://www.amazon.com/Kingwin-Anti-Static-Electricity-Comfortably-Electronics/dp/B007WME22G  

ESD is a good guess. That sinister fella likes to do all kinds of strange things. Especially since I have my Lack enclosure on carpet and humidity is relatively low right now. I already know I'm not disciplined enough to put on a wrist strap when I walk up to the printer, but I think I could train myself to touch something grounded before interacting with the printer. I'll figure something out, thank you for the suggestion.

Posted : 25/11/2021 1:43 pm
Share: