Solved top layer uneven

Hey guys I got my printer last Friday. My prints seem to come out good except the top layer seems like its uneven.
-Im using robo gold pla
-Mattercontrol latest version
-210 extruding temp
-55 bed temp
-glue stick for adhesion

My prints stick really well with the glue stick I don't have to pry but it is still stuck on the glass real well. I want my top layer to look better
The problem is not the words its the flat surface

 

I think this is usually a symptom of a fine point on the end of the nozzle. Usually switching to a broader tip helps with surface finish like that.

I suggest buying an E3D v6 1.75mm 0.4mm nozzle and swapping it in. It's got a wider surface on the end for smoothing out the layers.

http://www.printedsolid.com/shop/e3d/v6nozzle/

 

Do you think the .4mm nozzle will be good enough for fine detail? Is it difficult to change it out? Is there any settings that could help out with the top layer or is just the nozzle. Will that nozzle fit my current extruder?

Are there any other suggestions

 

0.4mm is what you're currently running. If you like it now it'll be fine. You can decrease the size, but it will increase print times naturally.

It might help to increase the number of top layers but from what I see I'm not sure that's the case.

I've never encountered that with my E3D's but I could be wrong.

Maybe check your extruder calibration:

 

Im going to try that out when I get home. Mike, so if I have a .4mm nozzle and the one you are suggesting is .4mm what are the differences between the two?
And thanks Mark I appreciate the input!

 

Sorry for the misinformation. Just from the perspective of the two designs I thought the hexagon had a finer tip than the E3Dv6. They're both actually 1mm in diameter so it wouldn't make a difference.


I would suggest trying a different slicer, like cura. That tends to help

 

Ok so I have the same nozzle as the one you posted? I have cura downloaded mattercontrol seemed easier to use so I haven't played with any other program.

 

More or less the same nozzle. Different design but same size orifice of 0.4mm


Cura Engine is in MatterControl. Depending on what version your on it's in different places, check the configuration tab or slicer tab

I posted a how to setup Cura software here: http://forums.robo3dprinter.com/index.php?threads/how-to-cura-setup.4169/

No one tries another software until they move away from mattercontrol

 

Thanks Mike! I'm going to check everything out when I get home and I'll let you guy's know how it goes.

 

Well I calibrated my extruder and it seemed to ve extruding fine. I tried working with cura and it doesn't want to print when I set the layer height to .2mm. The extruder id printing over the object and the filament is falling on the bed.

 

Is this in Cura or CuraEngine in MatterControl

You need to maker sure Automatic Print Leveling is disabled in MC.

 

What's better? Its cura not the CuraEngine

 

You might need to reduce the Z offset you defined in the startup g-code. most people have good luck around M565 Z-0.7

I hate MC so my opinion will be biased. Cura is a million times better and less bloated

 

Ok thanks, I'll mess around with that when I get home! I've never used g code before.

 

Did you follow my setup guide?

 

Yes I followed it. Everything seemed to work except the z-offset was off because the extruder would start printing in the air. When I get home im going to look though everything again to make sure I have all the settings right.

 

Heat looks a little hot, try 205, you may want to up your top layer also to 1.2 in cura, if your using that, also what is your infill, 50-100% works best for a smooth top.

 

I'll have to check on the infill I think mine is low. how do you set the top layer?