PLA Layers are not adhering together
My Prusa Mini has been having issues with inter-layer adhesion for the past few weeks that I cannot seem to figure out the root cause of. There had been some bed adhesion problems too, but with some glue/acetone that is mostly resolved. The main issue is that an entire layer does not bind to the one below it at times during the print.
Here is a list of what I have already checked / done in an effort to resolve the issue:
- Replace / Clean the nozzle
- Replace the thermal compound in the heatbreak
- Try out a different spool of PLA, same problems
- Tried drying out the PLA
- Adjusted the following printer settings:
- Fan speed from 100% to 95%
- Extruder multiplier from 1.00 to 1.05
- Make the fan not turn on for the first four layers
- Incrementally increase the first and subsequent layer temperatures from 215C by 5C up to 240C
I found that as the temperature went up the problem appeared to not be as bad as before, but given that the normal 215C settings were fine before, raising the temperature in such a way is just covering up the bigger issue. I already suspect there is a problem with heat somewhere but nothing online is helping me locate the core issue.
If it also helps, I managed to read the temperatures at the thermistor and the nozzle when heated up. When the temperature was set to 215C the thermistor did read close to 215C but not exactly but the nozzle read as 170C. Additionally, this is not a brand new purchased printer, it has been in use for about a year and a half without major issues.
Does anyone know what could be going on?
Best Answer by XFour96:
Found the core issue. We ordered PLA but were delivered ABS, which explains everything.
I would always begin with a cold-pull in case of a partial clog.
Cheerio,
RE: PLA Layers are not adhering together
Cold pulls were done before the nozzle replacement and there was no major clogging.
Which PLA are you using?
What is the manufacturer's suggested print temperature?
Cheerio,
RE: PLA Layers are not adhering together
I am using Sunlu PLA, they say to print around 210-220C with a bed temperature of 60C. I have been using this same type of PLA for over a year without issues.
Is the printer in a draft, could cold air be causing rapid warping?
A picture of a failed print might help.
Cheerio,
RE: PLA Layers are not adhering together
Here is an image of a failed print, this was supposed to be the Prusa logo. The layers did not adhere together. As for the draft part, no. The printer is in an office room with a consistent temperature of 22C.
Your first layer is rather low, a fraction too much squish ... but that's incidental.
Have you checked your bed temperature?
You say you have been using the printer for a year and a half, does this mean it's still within the two year warranty period?
Cheerio,
RE:
I set the bed to heat to 60C for these prints. I checked the temperature of the bed when I set it to 60C manually to see if it was actually getting up to temperature and it read as 60-61C consistently across the build plate. As for the warranty, that could be an option, but if the root cause of this issue is something relatively simple that I am just missing, that is the preferable option.
EDIT: The warranty for two years I checked online is for EU and certain other countries, but I am in North America, so just one year for me.
I've run out of easy to check options. You may be off warranty but luckily you can still use Prusa Support.
For support: Log into your Eshop account, navigate to Help and live chat is at bottom right in most browsers. If not you may need to disable your ad-blocker temporarily.
Let us know how you get on.
Cheerio,
RE: PLA Layers are not adhering together
Found the core issue. We ordered PLA but were delivered ABS, which explains everything.
RE: PLA Layers are not adhering together
Yeah, and then there's that...
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...