Issues with print quality + organic supports keep breaking
- Hello all! For the most part my Prusa XL prints alright, but the whatever filament is in the 4th extruder (yellow in this case) always comes out looking… like a half-baked mess. Not to mention, the supports for the tail always seem to break at some point during the print (which is a problem I never really had on my X1.) I’m not new to 3D-printing, but I am to Prusa… is there something I’m doing wrong or should be checking? This model prints beautifully on my X1 but I have not gotten a single good (or even completed) print of it using the XL. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
RE: Issues with print quality + organic supports keep breaking
It might be the docking of the extruder. The fluctuations between layer in yellow especially at the leg are conspicuous. Start with greasing the dock cones. When attached, compare that extruder with how the others feel. Does it wobble more? The two bolts of the tool changer board are spring loaded by rubber o-rings. Initially one of my Nextruders had problems with undocking. It was also no. 4 but that is a coincidence. The bolts were clamped. After disassembly and reassembly they work fine now.
RE:
How long have you had your machine? Self assembled or factory?
There's multiple potential problems there, but assuming there are no assembly issues(ie. - press fitting of the docks) I would start with basic calibrations.
Do a belt tuning first. https://help.prusa3d.com/article/adjusting-belt-tension-xl_401793 . Ideally using a belt tension device https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Tensiometer-Printers-Aluminum-Improves/dp/B0DCGC553B , not the app. You want very close belt tensions between left and right sides while having the CoreXY gantry tight without gaps on each side. Then check the result with the homing tower https://www.printables.com/model/542670-homing-tower . Do it until the tower is incredibly smooth. This is a helpful guide https://investegate.de/prusa-xl-belt-tension-alignment-calibration-guide/#/
Then run all the standard X,Y,Z, docking, and tool offset calibration. Use the tool calibration print to be sure https://help.prusa3d.com/article/multi-tool-manual-calibration-xl_470560
As mentioned in the other post, grease the dock cones https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/how-to-lubricate-the-coupler-pins-on-original-prusa-xl-multi-tool_636777#636977 and make sure there's no filament stuck anywhere around the rails.
Get all that right and she should print beautifully. If not, I would investigate assembly issues as mentioned.
Good luck