So I am trying to do Raftless printing and the issue I have is that these curls that form somehow, usually when the extruder makes a "u" motion, will stick to the extruder nozzle which pulls the curl away from it point. This results in the filament being lifted off the heated plate and messing up future extrusions around that curl. I know that the curls stick to the nozzle cause it is still hot but I do not know why these curls keep forming. I kept raising, so its closer to the board, the z height in the gcode for the thing that I am making and it still does not help. Are there any suggestions or ideas as to why the filament curls keep sticking to the nozzle, any way of preventing that, or if there is a way to just simply keep the curls on the board?
If your layer height (typically around 0.38 or so in the carve module) is too large the plastic may not bond enough with the layer below. The "thin walled box" is a good test object for this.
Yes, you most likely have to clean your kapton build surface with acetone. Go to a good hardware store and even some auto parts stores and pick up a bottle.
Fingerprint oils and other stuff can contaminate the build surface and will keep the part from sticking. I am 100 percent sure this is the problem. Just wet a paper towel with it and wipe the platform surface one or twice when it is cool at room temperature. DO not do this with the platform hot, as acetone is HIGHLY flammable.
What I just tried by accident last week - because I got tape on my build platform (BP) - is Goof Off. Not Goo Gone which is oily but - Goof Off. I cleaned my BP thoroughly with the liquid and I have not had to wipe it with acetone for over thirty items. I am using my ABP and everything is sticking GREAT!
Rubbing alcohol is OK to use but of not much effect. Rubbing Alcohol does not affect the plastics or adhesives with which we work. I found it interesting that you can clean/wash dirty adhesive tape with rubbing alcohol and let it dry and it sticks. If you use acetone or Goof Off it cleans off the adhesive leaving the plastic tape. So, I'd think for a quick wipe once in a while with rubbing alcohol would not bother much. You could eat off it. (grin) But, to clean the build surface it doesn't seem to work for manufacturing. Rubbing alcohol tip: It is good to prep before using superglue. Just let it dry about 10 minutes or use a heat gun. That is what they do in aerospace to glue our planes together. ;-)
Goof Off is Zylene and a powerful solvent / cleaner. Designed for painters to get the "goof up off". (It's also a good way to test for latex vs oil paint). Nastier than Acetone too. Wear latex gloves (really for both, but esp for Zylene)
Goo Gone is a (orange I believe) oil based cleaner. Not for your belt. Good for removing heat sink compound (like for your X-clamp XBOX 360 fix)
I was having the exact same problem. Cleaned the belt with Acetone and all is well.
Thank you all for the helpful information.
