Manda’s (Amachan) 3D Printing Adventures

I did a lot of experiments last night trying to figure out how things worked and what settings work for me. I am using a water washable resin from eSUN as getting IPA at the moment is either difficult or expensive.

I figured out that the following cleaning and curing process works well for me. After the print I get the print off the bed and into some warm water, I agitate that around a bit and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. I then get the little basket out that I use for cleaning with the prints inside and change the water to clean cold water. I then put my UV lamp on top for roughly 10 more minutes and then let them dry in the air and they come out really clean and solid. As you can see on the hex bases for an upcoming project.

I will be printing my first miniatures today.

I got my test files from the link below. I used the “3D Printer Calibration Matrix from Thingiverse” and the “FormLab’s Formtest STL”.

My first print involved 3 models, because why not print 3 in the time of 1.

After soaking them in warm water I was able to remove most of the supports with ease. On the tall thin monster thing that is apparently called “Morning” it was a bit more of a struggle. I used the pre-supported print for that. The other two I build the supports myself and apart from the feet of the Mutunus Tutunus and the base of the Dryad everything came off really easy, I supported those bits quite heavy, a bit too heavy possibly.

I then cured them in cold water under a UV light and this is how they came out. Still wet from the water, but that won’t take too long to dry.

A couple more prints, 2 Bushwackers for Battletech, a T3-M4 from Star Wars and a couple of 28mm scaled rubber ducks. Unfortunately I oversupported the feet and some parts of the feet on the mechs broke off as I was trying to remove the supports. Trial & error, trial & error, I’ll get there.

I like to tell you something about the post-curing method I use. I have little tub with a basket in it. After I use it to clean the resin, I change the water to cold and clean water and put the miniatures with the basket in there. I then put my UV light on top and let it cure for a couple of minutes. I then take the basket out flip the models around and repeat once more. After that I just let them dry in the open air.

This video has taught me about water curing, what it is and why it works. I would recommend you have a look as well.

Another Bushwacker printed, this time at 20 microns (right) instead of 47 (left), makes a huge difference. I tried something different with the cleaning, getting better, but still some residue remains. Getting better at the supports though.

This time I added an additional stage to my cleaning. After soaking and agitating them in warm water and removing the supports, I cleaned the water and rubbed it in the water with a toothbrush to hopefully get a lot of this residue off. I cleaned the water again before curing.

I am using a water washable resin in case I didn’t mention that.

Printed the miniatures I printed earlier again, this time with different supports and at 20 microns. I am still having this residue, it’s annoying. Is it because of the impurities in the water? Does this resin just not clean properly in water? Can I clean this resin in IPA? So yes, COVID-19 can you piss off so I can get some IPA at non-extortionate prices?

More tests, from left to right:

Urbanmech, turpentine bath, warm water bath, remove supports, cold water with toothbrush, water curing.

Catapult, methylated spirit bath, warm water bath, remove supports, cold water with toothbrush, water curing.

Raven, warm water bath, remove supports, cold water bath, patting it dry, water curing.

Atlas, methylated spirit bath, remove supports, methylated spirit bath, air curing, making sure it had absolutely no contact with water until fully cured.

Clearly the first 2 are a no, third one is pretty good, little bit of residue left in the gaps. And the last one is the winner I believe.

My first failed print, I know why it failed don’t worry, but instead of just tossing away the model let’s put it to some use. So I cleaned it in methylated spirits and then just let it dry in the air. When dry I water cured it and look, no residue!