[FIXED] When changing layers, the Z step should be first

[mgg4]

I'll have a go at explaining these settings for you....
1) Retreaction - this is reversing the feed of the filament in order to reduce the pressure behind the nozzle...and is the distance by which the filament is retracted.
2) Extra Restart Distance - the above setting winds the filament back by the specified amount....and then forward again by the same amount so that printing can progress. The Extra Restart Distance is an extra distance the filament is fed forward again. So Retraction of 5mm and Extra Restart Distance of 1mm will result in the filament winding back 5mm...and then forward by 6mm.
3) Retraction Vertical Lift - is separate to Retraction....and is the distance by which the whole print head is lifted upwards ( or the bed downwards) before an X/Y move is made. This is to prevent the nozzle dragging on the printed plastic.
4) The speed at which 1) and 2) take place.
5)Coasting Distance - this is the distance in advance of the end of an extruded layer when the filament stops driving plastic through the nozzle. In other words, a distance to allow for the flow of plastic to exhaust the pressure and come to a theoretical halt.
6) Wipe Distance - exactly as it says, this the distance the nozzle will wipe across the top of the just printed layer after the layer has been completed. This then wipes any excess plastic onto a surface that will subsequently have another layer put on it.

Hope this helps.....

Thank you. You have explained things very well, and confirmed my thoughts on all of these settings. I was confused by people that were telling me retraction affected the Z-position of the print head. Pure retraction doesn't appear to do that, but the Retraction Vertical Lift does provide the capability for this Z-axis motion. I appreciate the education on this.

Based on your apparent knowledge of these settings, what do you think about my original contention that S3D is performing the x-, y-, and z-axis motions in the wrong order when changing to the next layer?

Mark

[dkightley]

Based on your apparent knowledge of these settings, what do you think about my original contention that S3D is performing the x-, y-, and z-axis motions in the wrong order when changing to the next layer?

I make changes to the settings....and judge what the printed object looks like. I don't judge what the gcode looks like.....so don't really have any comment to make.

[DarthRevan]

I've worked with delta style printers in the past and have found that they are more likely to require the addition of a small retraction vertical lift. As their arms have the potential to swing the nozzle lower on some travel moves. I'd recommend setting retraction vertical lift to 0.1mm or something smaller depending on how much dip you estimate will occur with your longer travel moves.

As for the ordering of the moves used by Simplify3D's defaults, I've not had issues with this. The nozzle is always above the portion of the model that's just been printed unless you're overextruding, in which case you've got another whole set of issues.

Also, I'm fairly certain that the retraction vertical lift will only take place in sections of your printer that include a retraction. That is to say if you disable retractions for certain features or disable retractions you wouldn't see the vertical lift before your moves taking place.

[S3D-Jake]

I’m happy to state that this issue should be resolved now in the latest 4.1.0 release. Our team successfully tested the factory file attached on page 1. Z steps are now used prior to X Y moves at layer change. This was just one of many improvements to the software. All of which are detailed on our Release Notes page.

Thank you for your help reporting this issue!