How to Get Perfect Prints on Your Creality 10

The Creality 10 is a type of 3D printer that uses the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process to produce 3-dimensional models. Not all types of filaments can be used with a CR 10 printer because of the printing process that is adopted by this type of printer. It effectively prints with Polylactic Acid (PLA), (ABS) Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PTEG) filaments.

The CR 10 works by ejecting the printing material from the print head through a tiny nozzle that moves around constructively to produce your 3D model. It starts by printing the first layer, then waits for it to dry, it continues the same way for consecutive layers until the model is finished. Gradually, the software that was entered into the printer is converted into a solid form.

Benefits and Drawbacks of CR 10 Printer

With the recent advancements in 3D printing technology, a lot of people are now more informed about the various types of printers we have and as a result of this, the demand for the Creality 10 printer is on the rise. The CR 10 printer possesses some unique features that are not present in other 3D printers. Despite this, it is important to learn about these features to properly optimize your CR 10 printer.

Pros

The CR 10 printer is quick and easy to set up and operate. It can run for a long time, as long as it takes to finish a model without creating any problems. Once you purchase your CR 10 printer and get it up and running, it requires little or no upgrades to produce 3D models with very good print quality. The glass bed on a Creality 10 printer is also removable, this makes it easier to properly clean and maintain your printer.

Cons 

Along with the many benefits that come with the CR 10 printer, it also has some disadvantages. The CR 10 printer does not work well with printing filaments that require very high temperatures to print. It is relatively larger than other 3D printers and therefore needs more room space. The print bed on CR 10 takes a long time to heat up and this makes it a little bit more time-consuming

Tips on how to improve your print quality with CR 10

Getting the perfect print with your Cr 10 printer is not an automatic process, it requires patience and some frequent fine adjustments. You also have to know your printer properly and the right choice of filament for each printing project.

If you just got a Creality 10 printer and you would like to know how to get the best out of your printer or you would just like to brush up on your existing knowledge, this article is for you. Keep reading to find out how to make the best out of your 3D printing experience with CR 10.

1.      Adjust the bed and set the correct nozzle height

Before you begin printing, you need to make sure that the bed is properly aligned and the nozzle is at the correct distance from the print bed. This is one of the quickest ways to immediately improve your print quality with Cr 10. To check if you have correctly set the distance of your print nozzle, you can make use of a feeler gauge or a piece of paper. The gauge or paper should easily slide under the nozzle without any force after it has been properly positioned. To ensure it is done properly, repeat the process at least three times.

2.      Check the temperature of the print nozzle and bed

For a high-quality print, you must take note of the nozzle and print bed temperatures of your CR 10. The temperature of the nozzle has a major impact on the finished print’s look. If the nozzle is too hot, it may leave filament threads between the separate layers.

When printing tall pieces, high temperatures or insufficient cooling might cause the previous layers to melt, resulting in malformation. You can correct this by aiding cooling during prints. Place a one-centimeter cube on opposite sides of the build plate and remove the hot nozzle from the print between layers.

Controlling the build’s temperature can help with print adhesion and prevent other printing challenges. If the temperature of the print bed is not within the material’s recommended range, you might end up with prints with a poor first layer.

3.      Handle the filament with care

Before and during printing, it is critical to always store your filaments, especially the materials that are hygroscopic, in an airtight container in a dry environment. This is because when moisture is absorbed by the filament, it reduces the quality of the results after printing.

In cases where the damage has been done and the filaments have absorbed moisture from the environment, the spool of filament can be dried in an oven at a very low temperature for a few hours before it can be used.

4.      Reduce the print speed for higher print quality

The speed and movement of the print head have a direct impact on the quality of your 3D model. Reducing your print speed improves the quality of your print by allowing the layers more time to cool and solidify before more layers of the print material are deposited. However, you should make sure that the extruder is still moving quickly enough to prevent the print head from overheating which would result in other print quality issues.

5.      Use a slicer

Tips on how to improve your print quality cannot be complete without talking about slicers. A slicer is a software that transforms a 3D model into instructions for your printer. The slicer regulates the temperature and movement of the printer, whether or not blocks or rafts are printed, and many other aspects of the printing process.

Adjust the slicer’s hyper or fine quality setting if a print is not as perfect as it should be. While the printing process will take longer, the print quality will improve. However, after a few low-quality prints, do not modify the slicer. Analyze the issue and make minor adjustments to the slicer settings.

6.      Do not forget to post-process your prints

After the object has been printed, it is important to spend some time inspecting it for any defects. Small defects can be removed using sandpaper or a small sharp knife especially if you plan to paint or polish your finished model.

Some thermoplastics, like ABS, can be coated with acetone vapor treatments to give them a glossy finish, but bear in mind that this technique can weaken the model.

7.      Stabilize the print head

To generate the best quality prints with your CR 10 printer, make sure the print head is properly positioned and stabilized. Vibrations from other components of your printer during printing have a major impact on the print head.

These vibrations alter the position of the print head which can lead to print quality issues including ghosting and ringing. These print defects can also be caused by sudden changes in the printer's direction and speed to get the best out of your CR 10, your printer must be stable as possible, with little or no vibrations.

8.      Upgrade the build surface

The build plate is an important component of your printer that determines what kind of materials you can print with and also serves as the surface on which your printed models are created. The different types of build plates provide distinct textures: some print plates leave a smooth finish on the bottom layer of your prints.

These build plates are made of glass, PEI, or Kapton whereas, glue-on polycarbonate sheets or printer’s tape leaves a matte finish. If you wish to use a spray or glue to adhere the print to the surface, use only enough to hold the print because it is tough to remove the print from the build surface if there is too much glue or spray on it. Forcing it off could harm the print or even break or deform the plate

9.      Replace worn-out nozzles

Inspect your nozzle regularly and replace it immediately begins shows any signs of wear. The most common cause of poor print quality is a worn-out print nozzle, especially if it is made of brass. Changing the nozzle of your printer is quite simple. To avoid burns from hot parts, you must be very careful when unscrewing and changing the nozzle. Follow the few simple steps below to correctly change your nozzle;

• Heat your nozzle to the printing temperature of your material (or to about180°C)
• Unscrew the fan from the heat sink
• Avoid touching the nozzle with your bare hands
• Secure the heater block in place with spanners or pliers
• Unscrew the nozzle with a socket wrench
• Gently screw in the new nozzle, making sure not to overtighten it

Conclusion

You might not get the perfect print you desire after the first few tries. Don’t give up! Take proper care of your printing filaments and eventually, you would get the exact results you desire. Finally, if you have carefully followed these tips and you still seem to be having problems with your print quality, go over your settings again and make the necessary adjustments carefully. Remember, every print is an opportunity to learn!