Uneven surface - visual Z-banding
Problem: uneven surface finish - Z-banding (see pictures below). Material - Prusament PLA Pristine White.
Printer: Core One from Kit, default 0.4mm HF nozzle
Model: Box, wall is made of 4 perimeters
Slicing options: Prusa Slicer, Balanced Profile 0.2mm + Gyroid Infill (no infill in walls)
I've tried to solve most of my issues by reading and experimenting myself, so this is not strictly 'first print troubleshooting' request, however I feel I'm still in the phase of debugging the printer. Longer story of my printer:
- I have already done quite a few prints, approximately 50-100 hours of printing, adjusting, troubleshooting. Generally OK!
- New belt tightening procedure is applied, however there wasn't much difference from the original 85Hz one.
- Tightened Z-rod holders as used to get bad layer shifts -> solved;
- Started to get Z-axis squeal -> applied lubricant -> now silent -> solved;
- Calibration cubes look quite nice, but their dimensions are small;
- Other prints also show some, although less VFAs and Z-banding, but this is my first time printing white, so perhaps orange and black PLA just hide these artifacts better.
From what I've seen on the internet (here we go haha), perhaps my printer is over-extruding a bit and so it squishes on the Z axis? My first layer is very dense.
Disclaimer: This is my first 3D printer so I'm simultaneously setting my expectations for what is a decent FDM print vs what is an issue.
RE: Uneven surface - visual Z-banding
Pretty much what you see is what you get. Nothing in those images looks out of place. In all cases, there are things you can do to improve an FDM print. Replace motors with finer step models; replace nozzle with finer to get smaller details, slow the printer down to improve extrusion starts and stops, calibrate the extrusion start and stops for your particular build (belt tensions, dryness of bearings, alignment of gears and pulleys, placement of heater and thermistor in heater block, torque of nozzle into block, etc.), so you'll probably get a lot of responses saying your printer wasn't built right or needs this or that. It looks as expected to me, similar enough to my factory assembled prints.
All FDM printers show layer lines as they print. You'll never avoid them. Direction of print movement, openings in the part, thickness of the part and other buildups at that particular printing level will affect that specific level of build up. So you will see streaks from those spots, like the ones at the bottom of that open U. 100% Normal.
Some prints will show what's known as VFA, or vertical artifacts - streaks running up the build. Also normal and expected. Though many complain and chase fixing them. Some claim to have printers that don't have VFAs; but they do, it's all a matter of degree. Shine a light on a print you will find defects. If I spent $500 to make my VFA's go away, I'd also probably say they are gone and begin ignoring the ones that remain. too.
Best suggestion: keep printing, learn what works, what doesn't. There is plenty to learn about printing, plastics, do's and don'ts. And have fun, don't sweat the small stuff.
RE:
IMO, black and white filament seems to show up imperfections worse than most colours. I nearly always print in matte or filled filaments these days, as they are excellent for hiding layer lines and most imperfections.
Also I never print with 100% Infill, the slight variations in filament diameter can result in excess filament with nowhere to go…if you want the strongest possible part print with 90-95% infill.
Also just accept 3d printing as imperfect, all the glamour shots you see on YouTube and Printables will use soft lighting and the uploaded will always use the most flattering shots, with light shining in a certain way, I think any print can be made to look amazing, or crappy, depending on the aim of the uploader.
RE: Uneven surface - visual Z-banding
Depending of the filament type, annealing can also remove/shrink layer lines. Not really recommended for PLA but other filaments (especially CF filled) it makes a big difference in layer adhesion.