First Solus print with Emerald

[printcast]

Quick question. I did my first Solus print with Emerald which came out super smooth, very pleased with that. The print was the sample test ring supplied by Solus we are all familiar with at the 25XY 25Z.
A couple questions. I did notice some of the stone through holes have a very thin layer covering the inside of some holes. I don't use alcohol on my prints as that promotes the white residue sometimes seen. My process is ultrasonic in water for 8 mins (Process figured while printing with my B9) then UV in water for a minimum of 30 mins.
The other question, the film has turned what appears cloudy after just that one print. When using PDMS on the B9, that gets cloudy also but not near as bad as this film has or near as fast. Cloudy PDMS, in my mind diffuses light making prints soft.

Again, the print came out pretty much flawless and I'm very happy with that. Perhaps cloudy film is fine and the very thin layer on the back of the through holes could easily be pushed opened. Just want to see what you guys think about those tiny concerns.

Thank you
Jim

[mongerdesigns]

I have never ever seen this film cloud in any way. Even after months of use. Are you sure it's not just residue or settling from the resin? Use the silicon spatula on that area. You can also use pec pads to gently clean the inside of the film. If the residue is on the bottom from the outside of the tank, use pec pads and some alcohol to clean the film.

[printcast]

I will try that. The resin was going to sit for a couple days so I poured it back in the bottle that's when I noticed it. It has to be a "nothing" issue. Just being very new to the Solus, not sure what to expect. I'll take a pic and work on it.

Side note. There was a suggestion in this forum to use a magnetic stir with resin. I bought one from amazon, it works perfectly.

[Jewelermdt]

You should use a separate bottle to store resin from the vat. (Dark one that will hold up to resin) Mainly to not contaminate good fresh resin. Also strain it. I think the clouding your are seeing is from the resin on the inside of the vat.

[printcast]

Good idea on vat resin separate from fresh resin. I've got a few old B9 brown bottles that work great, much better than the new style containers.

Last night I did take a soft rubber spatula, ran it over the cloud looking area which appeared to have removed what ever it was. It may have just been crystal to film sealed contact for all I know. As said, it didn't seem like an issues just new to the Solus and not sure what to expect.

I did do a real job print last night, haven't taken if off the build table yet but looks perfect with a quick look. So far I am thrilled with the Solus results.

[GraysonC]

What's the reason for curing the emerald in water under the UV light?

[mongerdesigns]

Water (or pretty much any liquid) remove the oxygen from the equation. Oxygen inhibits curing, so without it the post curing happens much faster and harder.