Filament tic marks in print stream
Ok, so here is my dilima as a newbie..
I assembled the printer and in no time was getting some pretty awesome prints I thought but still wanted to see if I could get things better so of course I had to tinker with stuff and tighten the belts as I read to get even better prints than I was getting. After everything I started getting these tic marks in my print stream that wont go away no matter what pressure I have the idler on. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks to all in advance!
RE: Filament tic marks in print stream
Hi,
When you add a picture please make sure that the Link: to Media File option is set, then the picture will be clickable to see a larger image. as in the right hand version of the pictures in your post above.
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: Filament tic marks in print stream
I think you are showing pictures of filament extruded directly from nozzle and dropping straight down in the air, right? Not actually clarified in your message. It could also be pictures of filament printed and then torn off the print plate. In the absence of good description, I will assume this is filament extruding straight down into free air.
Kinks in free air mostly comes from two things.....
1. Dirty nozzle, either inside the nozzle orifice or sometimes even the outer surface of the tip.
Clean the nozzle gently with brass brush while at print temperature. Extrude a few feet of cleaning filament.
2. Wet filament creating random steam pops that deflect and deform the filament stream.
Dry the filament in a dehydrator. This is a basic capability you should obtain as a 3D printer owner.
RE: Filament tic marks in print stream
Hello Guy and thank you for the response.
Yes indeed this is the filament air dropping. I ran several feet trying to get the best tension on the idler.
I did do several cold pulls to clean the nozzle. I will try what you suggested.
I’m still using the original filament prusa sent me but ordered new filament. Thank you for your reply!
RE: Filament tic marks in print stream
Your photos are not helpful - they are small, out of focus, fuzzy and do show show anything that appears even remotely problematic. By your own admission, you tinkered enough to break something. I suggest you start undoing the things you did until you find whatever it was that caused the problem to start. Or, list EVERYTHING you've done so we might be able to point at something destructive.
As guy pointed out: filament extruded into free air needs one primary characteristic - even flow. "Air Bubbles", popping, sizzling, and steam are caused by moisture absorbed into the plastic as it sits out too long. Foaming is oil or other contaminants. Curls and wadding up at the nozzle is a damaged nozzle (or severe dirt on the nozzle). Intermittent flow - starts and stops, is a nozzle clog and requires a cold pull, at a minimum.
Anyway - flow from the nozzle must be consistent diameter and not sputter, vary large-small-large, etc. This image is of a pile of filament that was contaminated with finger prints (yes, touching anything like the bed print surface or the filament with bare fingers is bad):
RE: Filament tic marks in print stream
Thank you Tim, and I do really appreciate the impute.
The tinkering I had done was only to tighten up the X axis belt. To do so I had to remove the back plate to access the belt and trim a tiny bit off. So that is all good now.
So then this started to happen. I did a lot of first layer calibrations and just couldnt get it to work right when I discovered the stream was coming out clumpy. I puled off the idler and made sure that rotated and checked the alignment of the gear and thats all good.
I ended up pulling off the nozle and did a really good cleaning but still the same result. I ordered a new nozle and I have new filament coming to rule all that out.
RE: Filament tic marks in print stream
that looks like moist filament - read up on drying filament - either a dehydrator or electric oven on low
RE: Filament tic marks in print stream
Without anything as a scale reference, I can't tell if that is raw 1.75 mm filament or extruder 0.4 mm filament.
If it is extruded 0.4 mm filament, the David is probably correct - and your filament is very moisture laden. It isn't normal for new filament to be that wet, but funnier things have been know to happen.
By chance, did you add a filament oiler to help improve your prints?
RE: Filament tic marks in print stream
Problem solved!! And thank you all very much for your quick responces and input.
I simply ordered new filament and it worked so aparently the stock one shipped with the printer had become containamated somehow. My next purchase will be a de-humidifyer as it does get quite humid here in the summer living in Maine. Thank you again!!!