JohnY97
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2022 1:12 pm

Stuttering curves on Makerbot Replicator Z18

I have recently switched from slicing on the MakerBot cloud platform to slicing with S3D, but I noticed that the curves are not printing as well as when sliced on MakerBot cloud. It appears that, when sliced with S3D, the printer travels through the curved section with a stuttering movement of short segments instead of a continuous curve as it does when the model was sliced on MakerBot cloud. Print sliced with S3D also takes significantly longer to print. Is there any setting I can modify on S3D that will fix the problem? I tried the ArcWelder plugin, but I don't think it works with .makerbot output format.

These are images of the two test prints printed on the same printer (MakerBot Replicator Z18, firmware version 2.6.2)
Makerbot Cloud Print: https://imgur.com/0qccfEU
S3D: https://imgur.com/UHbCQsI
Comparison: https://imgur.com/nbtXdG3

The Setting used on both prints:
2400mm/min outline speed,
single outline with 0% infill (vase mode),
0.2mm layer height,
200 °C,

Thanks a lot!
S3D-Jake
Posts: 1052
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 12:45 pm

Re: Stuttering curves on Makerbot Replicator Z18

I've seen this issue before on other MakerBot machines from around the same release period. I'd suggest reducing the complexity of the mesh. Whats causing this is the printing instructions are more closely following the coordinates supplied by the STL or model file. So in essence Simplify3D's supplying a more accurate representation of the model for your machine to print but the machine isn't able to compute its motion planning arithmetic fast enough to move the print head without having to stop for a brief moment. This leads to the stuttering type movements you're seeing. If you made this model yourself, you can adjust your STL/model file export setting in your CAD software to use less of a complex output (less definition). If you don't have the source data, there are several mesh reduction tools which can help. There is even one built into Simplify3D! This user goes in-depth on their use of that feature: viewtopic.php?p=55208#p55208
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