Calibration issues with new printer

[Hydrolove]

Like the subject says, its a new printer that I'm calibrating. I have done the z-height and end stop adjustment no problem. I checked the Esteps and it was good also (100 mm request =100mm of filament extruded) I was doing the E steps fine tuning and that when it went bad. I was printing the Cube Stack test and following the instruction in the Triffid Hunter's Calibration Guide for the fine tuning and was sending the M92 E92.650 (for example) looking for the tiny gaps in the infill. I didn't see much change even as I got down to 89.000. Then I noticed the nozzle was starting to drag into the part which was odd as I have printed the PEEK fan shroud no problem. It was almost like the Z was not traveling up enough for the next layer, but I can confirm it was traveling up for each layer. This behavior happened with 2 prints of the same item and I did kill both prints before they finished. I was frustrated with it so I shut it down for the evening and will come back to to it later. Also when you send the M92 command during the print does this make changes to the EPROM or will the value not be stored? I didn't save any new number manually so are the numbers as they started or will I have to go in to reset them. I'm away from the machine now so I can't look at it. these are the prints that I got and you can see the mess the nozzle was making by dragging through the top. Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated.

Kris

[Hydrolove]

OK, here's an update. I re-ran the same procedure tonight and discovered it was massively over extruding and basically filling up the center and pushing around the excess. so I dropped the setting (M92 Ennn) to 60 from 92.650 (Default) and it cleared up once it got past the over extruded area. So why do I have to drop the Esteps down so low to get a good print? I did measure my filament (1.65) and entered that. So here are my questions:

1: What is the use of using a high (95%) infill? The stock setting is 20% (i think)?
2: What infill do people print at usually?
3: How does the flow rate setting in the manual control screen relate to E steps? Is it just an easy non permanent way to adjust the E steps, and what flowrate do people print at?

Thanks in advance
Kris

[Hydrolove]

Anybody have any input on infill/flow rates?

[DavidF]

no idea here. I usually just tune it until I get a nice even first layer and go from there...

[Hydrolove]

What are your current settings?

[Jimustanguitar]

Infill will vary depending on the part, there is no "right" setting, it's a preference and trial and error.

For flow rate, you should change your "steps per e" for the extruder in the firmware and leave the flow rate at 100% for calibration. There isn't much need to change this, it's mainly there as a convenience when you're switching between multiple filaments because it's easier than changing the firmware for each spool.

[Hydrolove]

Good info, thanks. I was using the flow rate to make quick changes during the initial infill calibration, after I got it to where I wanted it I converted the number and put it into the firmware. I think I have the machine 90% but as you know the last 10% can always be difficult but I'll keep working on it.