Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
My printer has been working fine until today, I have been printing for the last 3 months now without much issues with the prints. But now for some reason my prints get inconsistent layers and the surfaces are rigid feeling.
I'm not sure if this is related, but I know there was a Y-Axis calibration issue which I fixed, the cause was the bearing wasn't center and I had to re center it.
I don't know what to do now. Could this be an issue with the PEI sheet? Or the Z-Axis/Y-Axis, or something else?
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
I suspect that the grub screws holding the toother wheel on the motor spindle are loose. if the deviations are left and right, then check the X axis motor.
If the deviations are front to back check the Y motor...
If you find loose screws, make sure one screw is tightened against the centre of the flat on the motor shaft, then tighten the second grub screw against the curve of the shaft...
DO NOT use the ball end of the allen key, as this has a tendency to break the hexagonal cup, on the grub screw
Regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
I suspect that the grub screws holding the toother wheel on the motor spindle are loose. if the deviations are left and right, then check the X axis motor.
If the deviations are front to back check the Y motor...
If you find loose screws, make sure one screw is tightened against the centre of the flat on the motor shaft, then tighten the second grub screw against the curve of the shaft...
DO NOT use the ball end of the allen key, as this has a tendency to break the hexagonal cup, on the grub screw
Regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
I suspect that the grub screws holding the toother wheel on the motor spindle are loose. if the deviations are left and right, then check the X axis motor.
If the deviations are front to back check the Y motor...If you find loose screws, make sure one screw is tightened against the centre of the flat on the motor shaft, then tighten the second grub screw against the curve of the shaft...
DO NOT use the ball end of the allen key, as this has a tendency to break the hexagonal cup, on the grub screwRegards Joan
I use my Ifixit kit instead of the allen wrench since it's easier lol, but I'll try that. I was recommened by support to try a cold pull hopefully that fixes it though aand if not I'll try what you recommended 🙂
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
I did forget to ask in regards to your reply, if that's the case wouldn't it have affected the previous print?
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
when the grub screws are loose, the occurrence of inconsistencies are random, but the amount of movement is fairly constant
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE:
Does this look like an issue? I noticed the teeth were a little exposed
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
I made the grub screw adjustments but it's still doing the inconsistent layers
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
So possible good news, I adjusted the x-axis belt tension and it seems like the results are getting slightly better. Could belt tension even cause this issue?
RE:
Update:
Looking slightly better, I found a grub screw on the Y Axis pulley fell out so I put it in....still doesn't appear to be like my other prints though. Still having hit and miss spots even though it's less.
Could it be the file I'm using? Could it be the slicer? Or could it be another hardware related issue?
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
Most likely grub screws or loose belts or collapsed idler bearings
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
Most likely grub screws or loose belts or collapsed idler bearings
Once what I'm printing now is done I'll print the Prusa belt tensioner thing and reply with the results of the belt tension so I can make sure they are good.
And is there a way to check idler bearings?
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
Here is a screenshot of the gcode I'm trying to use, does this look corrupted? Could this be the issue?
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
That last message can be ignored apparently bgcode doesn't do plain text.
Anyway I readjusted my belts after printing the tension metere and tested out with the app and it says they are just right. However I noticed for the X axis beelt that on the left hadn side it's not parallell it's slightly angled upwards, could that be an issue?
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
Updaate 2: I took teh belt off and replaced it, it still goes crooked
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
is the belt touching the plastics of the X axis ends?
Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
Yep
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
Update 3: I think I finally found out the cause of everything I think it was the belt being crooked and I belive it was due to poor quality control from Prusa (I get that it happens). Where that yellow circle is there was a big glob of filament that I removed (you can still slightly see remnants of it) that was causing the belt to twist so it wasn't able to sit flat
After troubleshooting and having to get a new one printed I think I was able to get it working a lot better however still having some minor issues not as bad as before 
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
Hey didnt know if you were still out there. I have an MK4 and all the sudden my printer started doing the same thing. I checked the XY belts and replaced the Nozzle for a new .4 since I bought a spare.. SAME issue.. Where is that dirt that you found? within the belt guide??
Rich
RE: Inconsistent layer lines and rough surface
Hey didnt know if you were still out there. I have an MK4 and all the sudden my printer started doing the same thing. I checked the XY belts and replaced the Nozzle for a new .4 since I bought a spare.. SAME issue.. Where is that dirt that you found? within the belt guide??
Rich
Same issue here as well. Started a few weeks ago. Also getting head crashing on the X axis and failed prints to start. Looks like the printer is trying to home and slams on the left side a dozen or so times before it errors out.