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How to make natural PLA print more clear?

Posted by unicoder 
How to make natural PLA print more clear?
May 07, 2012 01:59PM
I've noticed that when I print with the natural PLA, it's level of translucency changes throughout the print.
I have seen areas of nearly complete transparency and I would like to know how to replicate that.
From what I can tell it seems to depend on one or two factors:
1. The temperature of the print. I bet this is the strongest factor. As the temperature of the hotend fluctuates through the print, I can see stripes with different levels of translucency. The problem is, even if I find the ideal temperature, the nozzle will fluctuate wildly outside the narrow window required. Is there a way to maintain a more consistent temperature with a smaller range of variability?

2. I think that whether on not a fan is on the print may affect it, causing tiny bubbles in the plastic maybe?

Has anyone been able to consistently get mostly transparent prints? Have any tips?
Thanks,
Brad
Re: How to make natural PLA print more clear?
May 08, 2012 01:53AM
there is the pid setting in marlin, if you have that.
im not sure about the other programs
PID will make your hotend temp more consistant
i got this from james hardiman
he has some more written on it.
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