Source
r/resinprinting•
stezer

Top up during larger prints question

Hi all, sorry if this has already been answered. I am going to be trying to print my first 250ml+ print tomorrow on my Photon Mono SE with the sovol vat only holding 250ml at just under max.

I have tried and failed top up on smaller prints with it shifting the print to the side in the past (started a print which at far more resin than I thought it would with the unhelpful 'max on the standard vat). Any tips of what works for you?

Last time I did it I just chucked it straight into the vat during curing which I think moved the resin as is was being cured. This time I was thinking of adding a bit at a time to the top of the build plate as it pulls up, during this time its moving resin any way and some drip and back and forth flow is part of it operating during this move?

Past experience greatly welcomed. Print is only 260ml but I want to keep the build plate as submuerged as I can throughout as I've had werid fails printing to close to 'capacity' I am avoiding going forward as you clearly need lots moving around and shouldn't try a 100ml print with just 100ml as that just what is 'uses up' not what it 'needs'.

Posted Jun 8, 2021, 7:08 PM UTC

110
JON-JON-METAL•

You could pause, some people claim it gives then layer lines, personally I just pour it onto the back top of the build plate, never had a problem.

2
stezerOP•

Every time I paused when I was first starting out (excited to see progress) it always caused the models to split

Every time I paused when I was first starting out (excited to see progress) it always caused the models to split. Do you wait until it rises or whilst its curing?

1
JON-JON-METAL•

It doesn't matter, all Chitu based printers complete the curing cycle they are on. The only issue with pausing is because the bed rises much farther they is more opportunity for the returning print to be miss aligned, in the x/y or even the z axis.

1
thumbSaver•

Pause the print, add more, mix of desired and then resume. Try to make sure what you add is the same temperature if you can.

Trying to to top up while the print is active is not worth it.

1
stezerOP•

Every time I paused when I was first starting out (excited to see progress) it always caused the models to split

1
thumbSaver•

Hmm. I'm not sure if the printer hardware introduces issues with pausing. It does work flawlessly on my Photon Mono. I do know the more you introduce while it's paused (e.g. top it up with resin of a different temp, let it cool down dramatically, etc) can introduce problems. That said, it's not been an issue for me.

You can definitely add more resin mid print. I've done it successfully by waiting until the build plate is going up. But keep in mind things like opening the cover (or in my case removing the trash-bucket style) is introducing more chances of print issues.

2
PCwhale:redditgold: SM4K, Mono X SLA Print Supplier :redditgold:•

Pausing prints is not too great depending on your settings, if you are anything like me who tries for fastest possible exposure lengths, the chances that a failure will occur are pretty high, the slightest variation in z axis from a accidental dink or misalignment lift can cause big failures so personally my best tactic has been this:

  1. Make sure bottle of resin is room temperature
  2. Shake well, open container and wait few minutes for bubbles to leave
  3. Without stopping the print, pour a very slow stream onto the top of your build plate, not in the VAT. Dumpping a massive amount of resin all at once will create vortex's in the VAT, which can disturb the layer being printed.

This method has so far worked great for me and my print store.

1
PCwhale:redditgold: SM4K, Mono X SLA Print Supplier :redditgold:•

Just to add to this, I don't print with a cover if I know I have to top up the printer, this way I don't need to worry about accidently dinking anything

1
AdonaelWintersmith•

There is only one thing which matters. Heat up the resin you're adding so that it is warmer than what is in the printer. You can do this by placing the bottom half of the bottle in some hot water for about 10 mins. Pour it in while curing a layer, or try your build plate method, if you pour it in while the print is being lifted it could move delicate supports which are only being held straight by gravity.

1
Atom_Alchemist_Real•

fun fact, once your build gets tall enough to where your build plate is no longer submerging in your vat..you can easily top up the vat even above it's maximum capacity.

1