mitchfx
Posts: 184
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:01 pm

PLA warping on left side of platform - Due to cooling fan?

I'm using a Dremel Idea Builder (rebranded Flashforge Dreamer) and have noticed that with most of my PLA prints there tends to be much more warping or curling of thin unsupported layers on the LEFT side. There happens to be a cooling fan mounted on the left side print head assembly that blows horizontally from left to right. This is in addition to the two fans mounted directly on either side of the nozzle heat sink that blow air from front to back.

I'm wondering if the airflow generated by this sideways mounted fan could be a factor in the asymmetrical nature of my warping issues. I don't usually have any problems with first layer adhesion since I started putting a light coat of Cube Glue on the tape before each job, but areas like the beginnings of ears on my portrait busts usually start curling up enough to eventually bump into the nozzle on subsequent layers.

Does anyone have any advice or thoughts on how to reduce this effect without the need to completely disable the fan? I would assume turning it off might have an even more detrimental impact.

Thanks,
M
JoeJ
Posts: 1435
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2014 10:52 am

Re: PLA warping on left side of platform - Due to cooling fa

Maybe you could mount a second cooling fan on the other side to create even airflow. An easier option might also be to design a different air channel for the fan air that spreads it more evenly (although I'm not sure how successful you would be with this, since I imagine you will be limited in how much you can actually redirect it)

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