Extruder flow changes when shifting from x-axis movement to y-axis movement
If there is a better way to describe the problem please comment.
I've had my MK3S for a few years and initially it was operating fine. Print quality was good. I hadn't used the printer for several months and when bringing it back into service I updated the firmware, recalibrated the 1st layer and printed pieces are not smooth.
one particular problem I've noticed is when printing the calibration tower there seems to be a change in volume of filament extruded for the first few inches and shifting from x-axis printing to y-axis. This is particularly noticeable when printing the tower. I'm looking for a better way to describe the phenomena as well as suggestions on addressing the problem
The three common reasons for prints suddenly failing after a printer has been unused for a while:
A dirty print bed. Give it a really thorough clean and avoid touching the print area.
Damp filament. Look up threads here about drying filament especially if it has been left open.
General neglect, dust and cobwebs... Basic cleaning, lubrication and general maintenance have all been missed.
See: https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072
RE: Extruder flow changes when shifting from x-axis movement to y-axis movement
I was able to isolate the problem. The bed is racking a little bit which is causing the irregular extrusion marks. When printing the tower there are four sides. I'll refer to then as top (farthest away from me), bottom (nearest me) and left / right.
When printing across the top when the transition to printing the left occurs the bed has enough backlash as to not make a smooth transition. So the "blobbing" I saw was not a change in extrusion flow but really a settling of the bed as it printed the left side. No issues making the transition from left to the bottom and the same issue occurred at the transition from bottom to right side. Now to figure out why there is slop in the bed.
RE: Extruder flow changes when shifting from x-axis movement to y-axis movement
Thanks for this!
I was having a similar issue on my 3d printer with linear rails and it was doing my head in. As it turns out, the gears on the steppers were out of line causing it to bind a bit. your post while unrelated gave me the idea I needed to fix it.