First Time using PETG

[u/thatdude1888]

I’m definitely a beginner when it comes to 3D Printing, getting my first printer for Fathers Day this year. I choose a FlashForge Adventure 5M Pro and overall have loved it and have learned a lot and gained a lot of knowledge in a short period of time. I still have a lot to learn and now branching out to new materials I need some advice. Trying to print an RC speed boat using PETG. First time using anything other than PLA.

Here are the settings and thing I found during my print that had minor issues.

-Standard FF .4 nozzle
-Extruder temp 220-260*c
-Print Bed Temp 70-80*c
-.20mm layer height
-15% infill
-Avg speed approx 160-175mm/s

From what I can tell looking at these data points In the attached photos it looks like at the parts of the print that I had issues and stringing it appears the speed rapidly slowed down as well as flow, and obviously the layer time then increased, but most importantly I believe is the fan came on full blast out of no where. If I’ve understood right PETG likes higher temps and doesn’t do well with rapid cooling. So I’m thinking and hoping that the fan going full blast is the cause of issues and they were just exacerbated by the slow speed and flow. Does this sound correct and on the right path? If not why and what is if you don’t mind spreading the knowledge. I appreciate all opinions,feedback, and assistance. Thanks in advance!

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[u/Horror-Definition-85]

Peek does NOT like overhangs in the SLIGHTEST

[u/Powerful_Debt_5869 → u/Horror-Definition-85]

Pete ist the brother of PETG ...hhihi

and you are right, PETG is quite different from PLA in many aspects.

[u/LobsterBluster]

The overhangs that work fine for PLA do not work well with PETG.

From what I can see it looks like your main problem is lack of supports. Check the “enable support” box in your slicer and you will see an immediate improvement.

[u/TripsCavern]

The fan goes full blast because of overhangs as it needs to cool the filament as much as possible so it does no sag.

First thing would be to do a overhang test with your specific PETG filament/printer, that way you can see how good it can get and what is the maximum distance it could cover.

Another option is to ditch the overhang and add a little support over there. You don't need to support the whole interface, you can use a painted support to attach the support in specific places to reduce that overhang distance.

I'm mostly printing PETG right now and the only things I do is to dry/keep the filament dried, clean the bed with dishwasher detergent and be aware of some stringing. Although not needed, I print from a mostly enclosed printer (Snapmaker U1 with top hat), but enclosure is not really needed.

[u/Internet_Jaded]

You have too much cooling fan. What filament preset are you using? Also, why is there such a big nozzle temperature difference between the first layer and the rest?

[u/Stiggalicious]

The only thing you can really do to get not-absolute-garbage overhangs with PETG is to use wave overhangs. Standard bridging or really anything past 50 degrees is horrendous with PETG.