50 micron Printing Problems

[phantomoperator]

Okay so I am using a custom machine thats running an Azteeg X5 mini using 1/32 micro stepping for the X and Y axes and 1/16 for the extruder and Z axes. At .2 mm layer heights everything prints just fine. But when I go to print at 50 microns, the filament doesnt even come out of the nozzle hardly. Whats going on here? How can I fix this?

[JoeJ]

Well there's a big difference between printing at 0.2mm and printing at 0.05mm. Many machines aren't even capable of printing at that low of a layer height.

[saramos]

Best I've done to date, repeatably and reliably is 0.08mm with a .25mm nozzle. It does take time to get the printer dialed in, but the results are great.

1" tall rook with spiral staircase and double helix inside.

3" diameter 1.5" tall. printed in two halves. ABS. Approx. 34 hrs print time.

Scott

[JoeJ]

Nice! What printer is it? What plastic were you using?

[Qdeahstar]

Also, how did you design the rook, I mean, I know a way to do it in inventor, but the way I'd to it would talk forever, having to but each rectangle out one at a time for the steps...

I imagine there is some easier way...

[saramos]

The printer is a Lulzbot TAZ. It's the Kittaz (unfortunately they have discontinued) that I have upgraded to the specs of their current mainline version, the TAZ 5. I also changed the stock nozzle to a .25 nozzle, and built an enclosure for it. The plastic used for those parts are ABS (natural) from eSun.
I bought the printer just over a year ago, but it was put on the backburner during some house remodeling. I got to really start working and learning with it in mid August. I am very happy with it's performance. I had one problem at the start of Nov. with the fan in the power supply starting to fail. I contacted Lulzbot, and even though my warranty had expired last Dec., they sent me an updated new power supply. They have great customer service and a great forum community too.
I am currently trying to print the wheel using a wax filament from MachinableWax.com, with an eye toward having the part cast in aluminum.

Scott