Burns and Zits and Gaps on Prints (Mainly Along Seam)
Hi all, I've had my mk3s+ for a little over two years now and have largely had no issues, but recently I had a filament jam in my PTFE tubing and after disassembling the extruder, I am having some weird issues. I printed a test print with some Prusment (because it is consistent and has a good profile so I don't have to worry about potential issues there), and I noticed some issues right off the bat. All of a sudden most of my prints have these weird layer issues mostly along the seam of z lift (I know this because I changed my seam position to aligned). I am also getting zits and blobs along the same seam. I have been using Benchy's and a high poly vase for testing and after switching over to a new brighter filament I noticed the most upsetting issue with a red filament in vase mode, it seems some filament is burning when being layered. I am including photos here.
- Royal Blue Prusment PLA High Poly Vase
- Red Hatchbox PLA High Poly Vase
- Royal Blue Prusament PLA 3Dbenchy
I have a feeling this issue may have to do with the fact that my hotend is slightly crooked. It has been this way from day 1 when I built it, and it hasn't really caused issues before, but maybe I exacerbated it when taking apart the extruder. It is probably rotated 5 - 10 degrees clockwise, this would be difficult to fix as it seems to be an issue with the entire extruder body itself since the hotend just slips into the printed grooves.
Any help with this issue will be unbelievably appreciated, it's heartbreaking to have my mk3 be spitting out such ugly prints since it's been so reliable in the past.
**Edit**: I know for certain it is not humidity issues because I live in a virtual dessert and it just snowed heavily so humidity is near zero year round here
When you rebuilt the hotend/nozzle did you pay particular attention to the diagrams at the bottom of this page:
https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/changing-or-replacing-the-nozzle-mk2-5s-mk3s-mk3s_2069
Have you been printing different filaments; eg. PETG & PLA? When switching either way always load and purge at the higher temperature or semi-solid high temperature residues can cause partial clogs. A high temperature purge may fix it or a cold pull might be necessary.
it is not humidity issues because I live in a virtual dessert and it just snowed heavily
This might be true if you are in the central Atacama or the high Antarctic Plateau - but your finish may be improved by drying.
Cheerio,
RE: Burns and Zits and Gaps on Prints (Mainly Along Seam)
Just an update on the issue for anyone else struggling. The nozzle was not snug up against the heatsink and was leaking. I had to disassemble the hotend and clean off all melted filament. The printer is running great again.
Takeaway: FOLLOW THE E3D ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS TO A TEE