A couple questions regarding the Hatchbox Alpha, is there a way to set it up with Cura 2.1.3?

Also I am having a difficulty with my infill printing splotchy or incomplete. It seems from some web browsing my infill is under-extruding. I have lowered the infill speed to match that of the print speed. It is still printing incomplete inside. If there are any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you in advance,

I strongly prefer 15.04.6 if not using an Ultimaker. You shouldn’t have any problems with that iteration.

1 Like

Definitely use 15.04.6, I’ve tried editing the JSON to add the Alpha and it’s just not worth it. And for the possible under extrusion, PLA/ABS? What manufacturer of filament? What printing speed? and what temperature?

2 Likes

I am currently using Hatchbox white PLA. I have tried a mix of speeds and temperatures.

I print the outer at 50 mm/s. The infill was 80 mm/s, I had read that if the infill speed is too fast it cant push out enough filament so I slowed it down to 50 mm/s, but to no avail.

For temps, I have read PLA is generally printed at 190 C. It seemed to do alright but Cura 15.04.6 has a default of 210 C. I have tried a range inbetween. I think 210 C is a bit hot and I am getting some small burn marks as well as a bit more stringing so I was going to try a happy middle of 200 C.

Hopefully you have some suggestions. Thank you

I usually use 200-210 for hatchbox material. Maybe bring it up to 210 and/or taking up the flow 5-10%.

Sounds good I will try that and let you know. What temp do you usually use for the bed? And how do you usually prep your bed for pla?

My bed is usually somewhere between 60 and 80C, and I’ve tried quite a few ways for adhesion. First is just blue painters tape, which IMO is one of the best options, you dont have to replace it all the time and it works well. Second is a aftermarket bed made by a company called Geckotech. Works well, but not neccesary. Recently I’ve tried hairspray, which definetly seems to work the best. Blue painters tape with hairspray is what i use now. Also, if you ever get to trying ABS let me know how your bed does at 110C, mine will stop mid print from some auto-shutoff. Im thinking the max temp isnt set high enough in the firmware.

I use Hatchbox almost exclusively. 205C hotend and 50C bed on my Printrbot. Also try their PETG, PLA strength at ABS durability. I’m currently printing PETG at 250C-255C and experimenting with different bed temps but currently printing with my bed at 65C.

Buildtak. Been using the same sheet for almost a year now and I use it bare most of the time or clean it with alcohol and spray a little hairspray with thin artifacts. Don’t even bother with ABS, just use PETG. It has the strength of PLA and durability of ABS but with a higher melting temp. It’s literally better and you don’t need your bed that hot. If you need something with minimal elasticity like PLA but with more strength try Alloy 910 from Taulman3D.

I tries 15.04.6 but there is no option for a round print bed and when I sliced a geode and printed it it was painfully slow