I'm fairly sure this problem has been well discussed, but I'm failing to uncover the discussions using Google. I'm in the process of printing a set of RepRap (Mendel) parts using a borrowed RapMan, but I think my question is applicable to RepRaps too. I'm printing with PLA, and using Skeinforge 22 to generate the GCode. (I tried a later version, but it was generating positioning codes that the RapMan couldn't handle.)
My problem is that when the printer pauses between layers for a temperature change, the nozzle partially drains, so when the next layer starts printing it takes a while for new plastic to be extruded.
I remember when seeing Adrian Bowyer's Mendel in action, his print job included a small "sacrificial wall" that was the first part of each layer to be printed, serving (I presume) to both replenish and wipe the nozzle. I'm assuming there's a Skeinforge trick for including this in the print job, but I've signally failed to discover what that might be. (Or maybe it's not a Skeinforge thing?)
Can anyone point me at discussion or notes about how to make this happen?
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BTW, I recently updated to the latest RapMan firmware (4.10beta2) which has a fast move option, which accelerates and decelerates the head when moving between extruding runs. This one feature alone has dramatically improved the quality of print output by keeping the non-extruding time to a minimum and greatly reducing the consequent "stringing". When I get to that stage of my Mendel build, is there an equivalent option for the RepRap firmware?
