Hello!
New Lulzbot Mini user here! It’s been a great little machine prints look really great. But I am having a heck of a time getting support material off cleanly. It is STUCK on there (like melted together).
I’d love some advice on how best to handle this, setting etc? I’m using Matterhackers PLA at 210 degrees.
Let me make sure I understand your question…
You have printed an object that required supports and you are having a hard time removing the supports, correct?
Adjustment of how support material is printed is done in the slicer so we need to know what slicer you are using (including the version number). It would also be useful to know what the current settings are so we can better suggest changes.
If you’re having a hard time getting the support material off your part, then check your “Support Z” distance and also your “Support XY” distance.
“Support XY” distance is the minimum distance that the support can approach any wall of your part. It is normally at least the nozzle width (e.g. with a 0.5mm nozzle it would be 0.5 … or more).
“Support Z” distance is the gap between the top of the support (support interface) and the printed part. It is normally 1 layer height. E.g. if printing 0.25mm layers … then set Support Z distance to 0.25.
These gaps (especially the Z distance) allows the filament to be gently laid onto the support so it just barely touches … rather than being pushed more firmly onto the support – which would create a stronger bod. That “just barely touches” means it should be a very weak bond and easy to break away.
Thank you for the help! My Z offset was .1 and I changed it to .2. Made a huge difference.
I am using the Lulzbot version of Cura 3.6.31
But again, thank you. That certainly helped a lot. Is 210 too hot for PLA you think?
Not too hot at all. I print PolyMaker PLA at 230°C in the HE 0.5mm toolhead – but that’s because the hardened steel doesn’t conduct heat as efficiently and the toolhead needs to run a bit warmer. Your Mini wouldn’t have a hardened steel nozzle (not unless you’ve changed it).
MatterHackers recommends 205°C ±15° – so 190-220°C.