Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini  

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

Just came on here to ask the same question.

The quality of the prints after the firmware upgrade has gone down.. same file printed with 4.0.5 and 4.1 and layer lines up the axis of the print that were not there before..

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

@stephensmith

Not to sound horrible but I'm glad to hear this as it may mean it's not just my printer developing another problem. Mine has a few hours left to finish the same print again now I've flashed the previous firmware back and then I'll post some pics. It does seem to be over extruding on certain layers.

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

Please post pics when your comparison is done.

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

It may be worth mentioning this issue in https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/general-discussion-announcements-and-releases/4-1-0-firmware-for-original-prusa-mini-2/ as there is some engagement with Jakub from Prusa.

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

would be great if you could post here a picture of the printed subject with 4.0.5 and 4.1.0 and attach the gcode. Then I would try to talk to firmware guys.

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

HI @robt, @stephensmith

can you share your print photos and g-codes?

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

@zoltan

Hi there,

Thanks but unfortunately it looks like it's just the usual clogging and underextrusion problem again. I though I had fixed it but no matter how many times I put new ptfe liner in and reseat the heatbreak etc within a few prints the problem comes back again. I've just installed the bondtech heatbreak and the same issue is happening after 4 prints. Underextruding after an hour and leaving big over-extruded lines after about an hour of printing almost like the pressure is building up randomly. This problem only happened since upgrading the firmware but the printer has so many other problems I can't confirm that the firmware has anything to do with it.

I just don't know what to do anymore really, I've got 2 more Minis on order and wanted to replace the printers in my farm with these but it's been such a bad experience and so unreliable that I just don't think they're a good enough printer. Really gutted 🙁

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

@stevensmith

Hiya, apologies for the delay. Been having such a nightmare with it and took a while waiting on a new Bondtech heatbreak to install which I did and now I'm still having problems. I thought it had solved it but after one day of printing it's back to the same under extrusion problems and random overextruded lines like pressure had built up or something. I think I've given up with this one at this point and am considering cancelling my 2 other minis on order and just chucking this one away. 

There are just too many things going wrong with it that I can't confirm the problem as being the firmware, sorry.

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

Have you done all the steps of the installation manual of the BT Heatbreak (and did not forget the apply the thermal paste)

Have you done a procedure to calibrate the Temperature (M303 C8 D S210) and apply the values in the GCODE start setion

Have you cleaned the filament extruder gear(s)

Have you checked that the brass ring on the PTFE tube has not been squished to an oval (both sides)

My experience went from an average rating to super quality after I installed the BD heatbreak (extrusion problems

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

@oxygen

Hi,

Applied plenty of thermal paste and cleaned the extruder gears.

Not sure about the brass ring thing though, can you clarify please? 

In regards to the PID tuning, I saw that a lot of people had done that bit and it isn't that important since it just helps with the nozzle temps a bit but if the nozzle temp is staying fine then surely there isn't a need for that? Please correct me if I'm wrong though.

Thanks

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

@robt

I am sorry you have those troubles, let us sort it out. My MINI is working marvelously, I was even able to print from flex material. So my MK3 is just standing on the table eager to print anything.

Regarding PID tunnig - you are correct at the moment you have stabile nonfluctuating temperatures no need for PID tunning. I would rather concentrate on the temperature and underextrusion.

I asume you have also other printes apart of MINIs so you are not a newcomer in htis area.

So now back to you issue summary

•  did the troubles start with 4.1.0 upgrade?
• what type of filament does not work?
• what are your print/filament profiles?
• layer heigth?
• 1-st layer calibration is ok?
• does downgrade to 4.0.5 resolve the issue?
• can you pls share .stl or .3mf  file?

Would be great if we will be able to identify the issue, which could be also a Firmware issue.

Thanks

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

Posted by: @zoltan

HI @robt, @stephensmith

can you share your print photos and g-codes?

I actually threw the print in the bin it was so bad.
It might have actually been the filament that was causing my issue.

But what I have done since then..
Rolled back to 4.0.5 and still had Z layer issues so I then swapped from the Prusament which gave me horrible prints and switched to another brand PLA and it was fine I have several rolls of Prusament so I am hoping it was just a poor roll that I have.
Upgraded to 4.1 and test printed PLA and was ok.. then printed with PETG and it was also very good.

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

@zoltan

Hi Zoltan,

Thanks for your message. I'm just testing the same Gcode on the previous firmware, so when that is done I'll get back to you on how it comes out and all the other bits you mentioned.

Many thanks

Rob

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

Posted by: @robt

[...]

Not sure about the brass ring thing though, can you clarify please? 

[...]

What I mean is that the brass nut on top of the PTFE 'coupler' when tightened more then 'finger force'

it can lead to a oval brass ring and squeezing the PTFE tube from a 2 mm opening to less then 1.75mm

I have included a photo since I can not find the Prusa Research terminology for the thing I am describing 🙂

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

@oxygen

Thanks, I see what you mean. My test print on the older firmware failed half way through so I just unloaded and checked the small ring and it all seems fine. I ran a small piece of filament back and forth through it by hand and there's no affect I can feel it having so think that's all good. I've just ordered some prusament so I can try printing with that as I think this has ruled out the firmware causing any problems. 

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

@zoltan

Hi again, 

Unfortunately my test print with the previous firmware failed half way through and stopped extruding and got clogged again so I think that verifies it's not the firmware that's caused any problems. I actually just spoke to Luke from Outofdarts and following on from what he mentioned to me I've just ordered some Prusament PLA to test.

I unloaded the jammed filament which seemed to come out nicely and loaded a different filament in and that extruded straight away and retrying the print. I figured I should try and rule out dodgy filaments also even if they print fine n other machines. I'll test with Prusament once it arrives and then report back how it goes.

Also in regards to your other points:

I was having problems prior to the firmware update although it seems to have got worse since but is now showing the same problems on old firmware as well as mentioned above

I'm using the standard prusa mini profile on Prusa Slicer, can't remember the name but it's for the better quality. I think the layer height was .2mm but I had 4 prints at .3mm layer height work yesterday.

The filament I'm using currently for this print is BQ Coal Black filament. It works fine on my other printers I've got, these are Sovol SV01, CR10, CR10S, Ender 3 pro. I have a few of each of these printers.

The file I'm printing has worked perfectly many times on the mini, it's just lately that things have got a lot worse so that's why i want to rule out the filament and try with prusament before taking nay nextsteps.

Thanks again for your help so far and will report back after I've tested with Prusament 🙂    

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

I'm having the same issue with horizontal lines recently even with prusament, I also have the bondtech heat break and extruder installed and followed the install process exactly, along with having the PID values in the gcode. 

The mini has just been one pain after the next for me, its too much like hard work trying to get it to print reliably.

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

Gentlemen,

any pictures before and after ? I can understand your frustration, but when you want a help, you need to talk in more details, unless your aim is just to complain. 🙂

I would ancourage you to read this article and come back soon.

Thanks 

Zoltan

RE: Very poor print quality after firmware 4.1.0 upgrade on Mini

@robt

keepimg my fingers crossed, and looking forward your response.