Unknown Print Flash/Film

[Shogun]

Hey everyone,

I've been using the solus for a while now and have had incredible successes with it. Recently I've been experiencing a problem with my prints. At the same location and (I believe) height, there is a thin flash/film forming from my prints. Unfortunately I only snapped a picture of one of my recent prints, but the same phenomenon occurred with the previous two prints. The files and models were different in each print, but each one possessed this film in the same location. There is nothing stuck to the film in the vat, and as far as I can tell, nothing on the projector or printer that would cause this. I am using Solus Proto resin with the default settings btw.

On a side note, what is the best method to clean the underside of the quartz, and the mirror of dust particles? I try to keep my work space as clean as possible, but the dust particles have gathered over time nonetheless.

Thanks for any help!

[rkundla]

For such a small piece, I'd think it was an artifact of the slicer, but it is the same spot regardless of the type of model you are printing? That is quite strange.

[mongerdesigns]

Are you using the latest version of the software? What exposure time do you have (layer and bottom)? Reset your resin profile by clicking on the reset button.

[Shogun]

Yeah I'm using the latest software. And before starting a new print I reset the resin profile and the same phenomenon happened (I attached pictures of this print). And the exposure times are: 2.5 second layer and 5 second initial layer.

[mongerdesigns]

Please lower your bottom exposure to 4s and layer exposure to 2.1 and try the print again.

[rkundla]

Some other ideas could be some stuck pixels in the projector or possibly a stray reflection of light back into the vat causing partial exposure in that region?

[mongerdesigns]

I don't think that's it. Most likely the resin wasn't mixed well in the bottle, so the pigment amount is lowered. You need to mix the proto resin well in the bottle before pouring. I put some heavy nuts and bolts in side the bottle and shake it really well to agitate the pigment and mix it into the resin.

So there must be some reflection from the lens that is curing the resin, since the resin is very quick now because of not enough pigment.

Try mixing the resin in the bottle with a metal rod for a minute or so and then mix it well, and pour new resin into your tank. Try the print again.

[Jewelermdt]

Check you STL file. I sometimes get wacky ones when meshing and it puts a wild triangle face outside of my model.

[Shogun]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll be printing some models tomorrow and will go through each of your suggestions.

A few notes though, I have metal ball bearings in my resin bottles to mix them properly already, so I don't think that's the problem. Also, I don't think it's the STL file since I've printed these exact models (only resized in between prints) 5-10 times each in different resins (including proto) with no prior issues. I'll take another look since it can't hurt though. And it's certainly worth doing since I've had other models in the meantime print perfectly well with no random curing of resin on the model or on the film. I also mentioned in my original post that there's dust/particles collecting on the inside of the printer. I don't know if this is the issue, but if it is, how do I go about cleaning the mirror and underside of the quartz?

Thanks again.

[mongerdesigns]

You will need to open up the printer to clean under the quartz.