YACHT (Yet Another Customizable Heat Tower)

thingiverse

<em>**Apologies for the ugly markdown look. Hopefully they will fix that bug. At least it didn't just remove all of it like I've seen on most pages!**</em> Ideally, the reason you print something like this is to check machine calibration and to tune your slicer profile. This video by <em>[Teaching Tech](https://youtu.be/3yIebnVjADM)</em> does a better job than I could explaining this. This is a <em>Remix</em> of [Customisable Heat Tower with Bridges](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3607378). I added some extra customization options to change the bulky 'foot' on the side of the model. Many of the <em>Heat Towers</em> out there assume you know what you're doing and tend to leave out information. I figured it wouldn't hurt to add a little more information to help anyone who might need it. This is a relatively straightforward process, and if I figured this out, anyone can! <br> <h2>SCAD Customization Options</h2> Use a program like OpenSCAD to make the changes in the SCAD file, then export the STL and load it in your slicer of choice. <em>NOTE: In OpenSCAD, just change the parameters in 'Customizer' window on the right side.</em> <h3>The temperature range is from top to bottom:</h3> <ul> <li>PLA <em>[Default]</em>: <code>label_list = "190,195,200,205,210,215,220"</code></li> <li>ABS: <code>label_list = "210,215,220,225,230,235,240,245"</code></li> <li>PETG: <code>label_list = "230,235,240,245,250,255,260"</code></li> </ul> <h3>There are four different 'foot' shapes:</h3> <ul> <li>For 'Half-sized' <em>[Default]</em>: <code>'f_shape = 1'</code></li> <li>For 'Rounded Half-sized': <code>'f_shape = 2'</code></li> <li>For 'Flat': <code>'f_shape = 3'</code></li> <li>For 'Original': <code>'f_shape = 4'</code></li> </ul> <h3>The text can be altered in a few ways:</h3> <ul> <li><code>'text_depth'</code> affects how far out the lettering will be from the model</li> <li><code>'text_size'</code> is probably best kept at the default</li> <li><code>'text_font'</code> allows you to change the font to Comic Sans!</li> </ul> <h3>Additional parameters:</h3> <ul> <li><code>'$fn='</code> changes the roundness of the optional cylinder.</li> <li><code>'rotation='</code> changes the angle of the model in the SCAD viewer</li> </ul> <br> <h2>Changing Temperature Per Layer</h2> You'll want to have your nozzle/hotend/extruder temperature change by 5° every 5mm. This will be different depending the layer height you're printing at. Using a 0.4mm nozzle, 0.2mm layer height, and a 100% initial layer height, decrease the hotend temperature by 5 degrees every 25 layers. (<em>Hint: Don't forget that the initial layer is usually Layer 1, so the first temp decrease would be at layer 26, the second at 51, etc</em>.) You may want to do the same with your fan speed. Depending on the range of temperatures you want to test, printing really shouldn't take much longer than ~30-40 minutes. <h3>Simplify3d Settings</h3> In your <em>Process Settings</em> under the <em>Temperature</em> tab, select the <em>Primary Extruder</em> and add the setpoints as needed. Under <em>Tools</em> use the <em>Variable Settings Wizard</em> to spit the part up as needed, and edit the settings per split. You can also go to the <em>Scripts</em> tab, and select <em>Layer Change Script</em>. <em>Example using IF statements</em> <code>{if z==0} M104 S220 ; Set Hotend Temperature M109 S220 ; Wait for Hotend Temperature {endif} {if z==5.200} M104 S215 M109 S215 {endif}</code> <br> <h3>Cura Settings</h3> Under <em>Extensions</em>, click <em>Post Processing</em>, and select <em>'Modify G-Code'</em>. The script you want is <em>ChageAtZ</em>, and you'll need to add one for each layer needed.