I like to be around during the print to keep a check on things - and it is a good job I did (more on that later). It is a case of knowing when I am available against time needed for a print run so, the cabin mentioned previously is deferred in favour of others.
First up are the conveyors (print time 6hr 50mins). Two needed a reprint due to inadequate support structure and even after further optimisation the third one down in the photo has a deformed end. Fortunately this will be hidden when assembled so no problem. Removing the support structure is fraught with difficulty as it is easy to break elements of the model. In this case plasticard implants saved the day (e.g. the white part on the right hand end of the nearest conveyor).
The next print was the girder frame (print time 9hr 42 mins). This model is extremely delicate and needed a mass of supports, many in awkward places making them difficult to remove. Great care is needed.
To Part 15.
On checking the print progress I was alarmed to see the print had paused and an error message on the screen saying the USB stick was disconnected. It seems for each print layer the program reads the file on the USB stick memory rather than importing the file to internal memory for processing. The error message included an instruction to reinsert the USB stick. Having done this the print resumed exactly where it left off without any damage to the finished model. That is impressive! However the same problem arose 4 or 5 times early in the printing cycle before it settled down.
This event has been reported by others. I have not found the cause but it could be due to one of three reasons, programming fault, dodgy contacts or unstable USB stick. I changed the USB stick and the next print run was faultless. But, my confidence was a little shaken and now feel I must monitor print runs periodically.
I am pleased to say there were no deformations!
I was really impressed with the quality of this model, especially due to its complexity.
The hand rails (photo below) prove that this technology is ideal to achieve fine details. They are only 0.5mm diameter with a 0.5mm gap to the girder.
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