Printing Artifacts - Weird Layer Lines
I'm having issues with these layer lines popping up.
Unique context for this machine:
1. I did notice the issue appear after I had to rebuild my extruder head because I had a major print blob build up. It required a new heating element in the head since I couldn't salvage the parts.
2. I do have a quite a few hours on my machine at this point now. I have re-lubricated the rods, but that's about all the maintenance I've done.
Any ideas what might be causing this?
This machine used to print perfectly :). Just hoping to get back to where it was.
RE: Printing Artifacts - Weird Layer Lines
Check the usual suspects: belt tension and loose grub screws on the x and y motor shafts
With the power off, move both axes by hand; is it smooth? Does the resistance stay the same over the whole range?
Check the smooth rods are not damaged/scratched. Check the idler pulley is not clogged, out of line, or damaged (loosen the belt and try turning it with your fingertip, is it smooth?)
With the belt loose try turning the stepper motor by hand; is it smooth?
Retighten the belt until it just begins to make a low musical note when plucked...
Make your next print this:
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/46639-tension-meter-for-the-gt2-belts-of-i3-mk3s-or-prus
It MUST be printed in Prusament PETG or the spring tension will be wrong.
Let us know how you get on.
Cheerio,
RE: Printing Artifacts - Weird Layer Lines
Hi there. Thank you Diem & Fuchsr for the fast response! I really appreciate it!
TESTED:
Belt on the X axis was pretty loose dang loose (the one that moves the extruder). Good idea to check it. Not a single noise was made when "plucked", easy to push them together. Interestingly, before tightening, the Belt test said it was at 250 (some places online say it should be at 260 at its lowest so maybe something else going on.)
After tightening it to the right amount (a low bass note) the Belt Test now says that it is at 230 which is even worse.
Another item worth mentioning.
The Rod is smooth to the touch, no visible/ felt scratches. I also just re-lubricated as well just in case.
However... The X-axis is not consistently smooth in resistance. It gets slightly harder to push as it gets to the right side (away from the std Power supply location)
RESULTS:
Photos of a recent similar print before "Original Version" vs after doing maintenance "New Version".
Still not Great, I'd like to keep trouble shooting. I'll look into grub screws. At first I thought it fixed it, but then it still has issues about in the middle of the part. A pretty common height for the issue to pop up in.
Example of a print before having issues:
Almost perfect - and on Draft settings.
Any other thoughts?
RE:
Here is a better image of the after "New Version".
it's like it was going great, but then whatever issue it's having suddenly started again. 
RE: Printing Artifacts - Weird Layer Lines
The belt tension figure is a measure of the resistance felt by the stepper when moving the axis. On a correctly set up machine this does equate, roughly, to belt tension.
But other things can affect mechanical resistance. Print the tension meter to rule out inaccurate tensions.
If you have not done so it's always worth working through this: https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072
And check the drive grub screws are correctly aligned: See step 11 of https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/3-x-axis-assembly_167854
... and do the same for Y.
Then check the screws at step 66 of https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/5-e-axis-assembly_169235 have not been overtightened.
Cheerio,