When I wrote part 3 of the pet feeder series, I did not expect the light transmission issues of this part. Now, I have two solutions with new revisions of the part.
Solution 1: Epoxy Filled Slots
This is the superior solution with the best results, but it requires you to fill four tiny slots in the print with coloured epoxy or any other food-safe opaque material.
The Print
This is a print with two materials. The first four layers are printed in transparent PLA and the rest is printed with opaque PLA, ideally black.
- File:
LR2051-407B.stl - Prusa Slicer File:
LR2051-407B.3mf - Materials:
- up to 0.8mm: PLA Transparent (Fillamentum PLA Crystal Clear)
- from 0.8mm: PLA Completely Opaque (Prusament Galaxy Black)
- Layer height: 0.2 mm
- Print bed: As smooth as possible.
- Supports: No supports required.
- Difficulty: Hard
- Filament: 108g
- Print Duration: ~8h
- Temperature:
- For the transparent layers, as high as possible. E.g. 230-240ºC
- Use the default temperature for the rest of the print.
- Use a smaller line width for the first layer, e.g. 0.3mm.
You find a slicer file for PrusaSlicer in the GitHub repository. Look in the new directory slicer-files. This file contains a filament change command at the correct height, has adjustments for the infill but contains no temperature adjustments. Best to use the tune menu on the printer and manually increase the temperature for the first layers.
Adding Epoxy to the Slots
After the print, use Kapton tape to cover the areas around the slots. The tape shall especially protect the areas of the sensors if you accidentally spill epoxy on the surface. You can use another type of tape, but make sure epoxy does not stick on it. Cover all other surfaces with plastic foil and e.g. painters tape.
Now, put the part on some kind of socket and level the surface as good as possible. Place it in a way you can keep the part in this position until the epoxy is cured.
Mix epoxy with a low viscosity and add black colour to it. I used resin L and hardener L from R&G which is food safe. Not all combinations of epoxy are suitable for very thin layers and may not cure completely. Make sure the type of epoxy you use will cure in thin layers!
Next, use a syringe with a thin needle to fill all slots until the surface of the epoxy is perfectly flush with the surface. You can watch the following video where you see the whole process.
All pauses are cut in the video. I wait a few minutes after adding the initial amount of epoxy, then check if I have to add more.
If you are happy with the results, let it cure. Make sure no dust will fall on the epoxy. Cover the part with cardboard or a foil, but make sure it does not touch the resin.
Wait at least the duration given by the manufacturer for complete curing before you even poke it! If you poke it too early, you will get a dent in the flat shiny surface. Keep some of the used epoxy in a separate cup and poke it there first. 😄 Curing epoxy completely, in small layers like this, can take days or even weeks. Some types of epoxy can be cured in a “hot-curing” process at 40-50ºC for a couple of hours to get better results. You can use the printer-bed of your 3d-printer for this task.
Solution 2: Infill Adjustments without Slots
This solution is a compromise and will give you passable sensor results. It requires a complex 3d-print preparation, but uses no slots and requires no epoxy.
The Print
This is a print with two materials. The first four layers are printed in transparent PLA and the rest is printed with opaque PLA, ideally black.
- File:
LR2051-407E.stl - Prusa Slicer File:
LR2051-407E.3mf - Materials:
- up to 0.8mm: PLA Transparent (Fillamentum PLA Crystal Clear)
- from 0.8mm: PLA Completely Opaque (Prusament Galaxy Black)
- Layer height: 0.2 mm
- Print bed: As smooth as possible.
- Supports: No supports required.
- Difficulty: Hard
- Filament: 108g
- Print Duration: ~8h
- Temperature:
- For the transparent layers, as high as possible. E.g. 230-240ºC
- Use the default temperature for the rest of the print.
- Use a smaller line width for the first layer, e.g. 0.3mm.
Using PrusaSlicer
You find a slicer file for PrusaSlicer in the GitHub repository. Look in the new directory slicer-files. This file contains a filament change command at the correct height, has adjustments for the infill but contains no temperature adjustments. Best to use the tune menu on the printer and manually increase the temperature for the first layers.
Using Another Slicer
If you can not use the prepared slicer file, you have to make sure the infill orientation is set correctly around the four sensor areas in the first four transparent layers.
Here you can see the round patches in the second layer where the infill is printed at a different angle.
- Compartment 1: 117º
- Compartment 2: 189º
- Compartment 3: 261º
- Compartment 4: 333º
- Position Sensor: 149º
In PrusaSlicer, I added four cylinders 40x40x0.8mm with the adjustments to the part. The important part is between the LED and phototransistor. The printed lines should be at a 45º angle to the line between these two elements.
Downloads
All required files are in the following GitHub repository:
Pet Feeder by Lucky Resistor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://luckyresistor.me.
Conclusion
Hopefully this post gave you enough information to successfully print the turntable platform. If you have any questions, missed information, or simply want to provide feedback, feel free to comment below. 😄
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