3

Hi Matt,

It’s kind of hard to see what the problem is by the photos. Which one is the bottom? It looks like the print started too far from the build plate (z offset) and/or the part was knocked off the build plate.

Try printing a couple short cubes/rectangles to see how good your bed adhesion is. You might consider adding in a 5+mm “brim” to help keep the part stuck to the bed.

4

That has happened with my FF a couple of times. The culprit for it was two different things.

First time, I was using cheap filament that had a large bump in one section of it (was not uniform), and so it stuck for about a layer, because of this, the next layer didn’t stick, and it caused this problem.

The second time, there was build up on the extruder gears, and it did the same thing, slipped just long enough to print one “blank” layer, so the next layer didn’t stick correctly.

Hope this helps.

5

Hey,

Thank you for your response!

I used the filament that came with the machine - was the the same kind that gave you trouble? And, where do you recommend getting filament from so I don’t run into that issue?

Also, how do I prevent a buildup in the extruder gears? I’m very new to 3D printing - I know what the extruder is, obviously, but I’m not sure how to go about maintaining it.

Again, thank you for your help!

matt

6

Hey,

Thank you for your reply! I appreciate it.

The top of the model is the side with the crazy mess. As I said, the print got about 75-80% finished, then just went crazy and started printing all over the place.

The bottom started out a little suspect as well. The first few layers didn’t appear to be sticking to the bed, but I figured that was because I’d just configured all of the print settings differently, and it was normal.

What does the brim do, exactly? Sorry if that’s a dumb question, I’m relatively new to 3D printing.

Thanks again!

matt

7

Hey,

Thank you for your reply!

Since I’m relatively new to 3D printing, I’m unsure of what the z-screw is. Would you be able to explain that to me? I’ll give it a shot.

Also, is there a way to fix the belts without damaging them?

As I said, I’m new to this, so I apologize if these are dumb / annoying questions. I just don’t want to risk breaking something on the printer.

I appreciate your help.

matt

8

The filament that came with it is fine. The garbage filament that gave me trouble was SHAXON filament from FRYS (I would recommend NEVER using it).

No way to prevent buildup (though it has only happened twice for me, once right after I got the printer, and the other about 400 prints later). But to fix it, you can just take the screws out of the fan on the extruder, remove the heat sink, and use a pick to remove pla and abs gunk from the teeth on the gears.

9

I can also add that the printer was on a wooden table when this occurred. The table itself isn’t “wobbly” to the point that it’s in danger of falling over, or anything, but I have noticed it moving back and forth from time to time with the printer momentum. Would that be an issue? Should I move the printer to a concrete floor, or something more sturdy?

Thanks again for all your help!

matt

10

I haven’t used Slic3r in quite a while, but you should be able to preview the output after configuring a “brim”. It basically adds concentric, attached outline-rings to the very first layer of your print.

11

What did you prepare your print surface with? Did you use painters tape, gluestick? or just print straight on the clapton tape?

12

The z screw is the big screw running up the rear of the machine with a motor at the base. The set screws will be on either end of the belts and attached to the motors. I would just loosen and tighten those to make sure no slipping is occurring. What’s being Said isn’t the other post is that the feeder is grinding through filament creating a buildup on the gear hence creating under extrusion. But a single layer of under extrusion shouldn’t be doing this. I would try software like simplify 3D also if you can afford it. Works a charm on my flashforge and ultimakers

13

I just used the attached coating. I guess that’s the clapton tape?

I’ve read that you can use painters tape, brushed with a thin layer of acetone and dissolved filament. Ever heard of that? If not, what would you suggest? I never imagined “gluestick”. Won’t that ruin the surface?

Thanks!
matt

14

I’ll have to give that a try.

What does “preview the output” mean, exactly? Is that a digital preview of what the finished model will look like?

15

I know it may sound boring, but my advice would be for you to start simple. Try getting some 20x20x10 calibration cubes printing nicely before moving on to more complicated, longer-running prints…

As reported on the 3D Hubs weekly and other places, the troubleshooting guide recently published by Simplify3D is an awesome place to start:

https://www.simplify3d.com/support/print-quality-troubleshooting

16

It shouldn’t, but with the filament that came with the printer, it does happen. That filament is ok, but doesn’t bond well in the first place.

17

Alright, cool. I’ll give that a try.

This is the second print I’ve done so far - any idea how it would become clogged so quickly?

Thanks for your help!

18

Oh, wow…I didn’t know this type of guide even existed. That’s a huge help.

Are the 20 x 20 x 10 cubes the pre-loaded x3g files that come with the printer (along with the traffic cone)? If not, do I have to download them from somewhere?

Thanks again for the help.

19

Painters tape will do you good. without anything except maybe some glue stick.

I have a borosilicate glass plate on top of the print beds of all 3 of my FF printers, and use ONLY gluestick for my prints, with great results.

Before I got the glass plates, I used blue painters tape, and a thin layer of gluestick, with good results as well.

20

It can easily happen if your extruder temp is a little too low. In that case, the filament doesn’t melt fast enough, and the filament slips on the gears occasionally, shaving off a little bit of the filament each time.

21

The print moved. Bed adhesion can be a problem, but it could also be that the nozzle hit the print hard enough to move it. A couple of offsite readings for that: 1. Over extrusion due to filament diameter or flow adjustment. Or 2. Accumulated gap fill overextrusion. I’d have to look closer at the model and settings to tell. You can share all of your settings more easily using the export config menu.

22

Hey Mark,

Thanks for the reply. I’ve uploaded the .ini file of my configuration settings to this link (the forum won’t let me attach an ini file to this message).

https://app.box.com/s/5hofmgunnjftn0nap3dqzsa2ia9u5yqa

Are you able to make sense of them? I can also copy and paste them below - just didn’t want them to be too overwhelming.

Thanks again for the insight.

# generated by Slic3r 1.1.7 on Wed Nov 4 22:56:17 2015
avoid_crossing_perimeters = 0
bed_size = 228,150
bed_temperature = 110
bottom_solid_layers = 3
bridge_acceleration = 0
bridge_fan_speed = 100
bridge_flow_ratio = 1
bridge_speed = 60
brim_width = 5
complete_objects = 0
cooling = 1
default_acceleration = 0
disable_fan_first_layers = 1
dont_support_bridges = 1
duplicate_distance = 6
end_gcode = M73 P100 ; end build progress\nG162 X Y F2500; home X and Y axes\nM18; disable all stepper motors\nM109 S0 T0; set bed temperature to 0\nM104 S0 T1; set extruder temperature to 0\nM70 P5; Display “We <3 Making Things!” message\nM72 P1; Play Ta-Da song\n
external_perimeter_speed = 70%
external_perimeters_first = 0
extra_perimeters = 1
extruder_clearance_height = 20
extruder_clearance_radius = 20
extruder_offset = 0x0,0x0
extrusion_axis = E
extrusion_multiplier = 1,1
extrusion_width = 0
fan_always_on = 0
fan_below_layer_time = 60
filament_diameter = 1.8,1.8
fill_angle = 45
fill_density = 15%
fill_pattern = rectilinear
first_layer_acceleration = 0
first_layer_bed_temperature = 110
first_layer_extrusion_width = 200%
first_layer_height = 0.35
first_layer_speed = 30%
first_layer_temperature = 230,230
g0 = 0
gap_fill_speed = 20
gcode_arcs = 0
gcode_comments = 0
gcode_flavor = sailfish
infill_acceleration = 0
infill_every_layers = 1
infill_extruder = 1
infill_extrusion_width = 0
infill_first = 0
infill_only_where_needed = 0
infill_speed = 80
interface_shells = 0
layer_gcode =
layer_height = 0.2
max_fan_speed = 100
min_fan_speed = 35
min_print_speed = 10
min_skirt_length = 5
notes =
nozzle_diameter = 0.4,0.4
only_retract_when_crossing_perimeters = 1
ooze_prevention = 0
output_filename_format = [input_filename_base].gcode
overhangs = 1
perimeter_acceleration = 0
perimeter_extruder = 1
perimeter_extrusion_width = 0
perimeter_speed = 60
perimeters = 2
post_process = /Applications/GPX/gpx
print_center = 0,0
raft_layers = 0
resolution = 0
retract_before_travel = 2,2
retract_layer_change = 1,1
retract_length = 2,2
retract_length_toolchange = 10,10
retract_lift = 0,0
retract_restart_extra = 0,0
retract_restart_extra_toolchange = 0,0
retract_speed = 30,30
seam_position = aligned
skirt_distance = 6
skirt_height = 2
skirts = 5
slowdown_below_layer_time = 30
small_perimeter_speed = 30
solid_fill_pattern = rectilinear
solid_infill_below_area = 70
solid_infill_every_layers = 0
solid_infill_extrusion_width = 0
solid_infill_speed = 60
spiral_vase = 0
standby_temperature_delta = -5
start_gcode = ;\n;\n;SUMMARY\n;\n;first layer temperature = [first_layer_temperature_0]C\n;temperature = [temperature_0]C\n;first layer bed temperature = [first_layer_bed_temperature]C\n;bed temperature = [bed_temperature]C\n;\n;first layer height = [first_layer_height]mm\n;layer height = [layer_height]mm\n;z_offset = [z_offset]mm\n;perimeters = [perimeters]\n;fill density = [fill_density]\n;infill every n layers = [infill_every_layers]\n;skirts = [skirts]\n;brim width = [brim_width]mm\n;raft layers = [raft_layers]\n;support material = [support_material]\n;support material threshold = [support_material_threshold] degrees\n;support material enforced for first n layers = [support_material_enforce_layers]\n;support material extruder = [support_material_extruder]\n;\n;first layer speed = [first_layer_speed]\n;perimeter speed = [perimeter_speed]mm/s\n;small perimeter speed = [small_perimeter_speed]\n;external perimeter speed = [external_perimeter_speed]\n;infill speed = [infill_speed]mm/s\n;solid infill speed = [solid_infill_speed]\n;top solid infill speed = [top_solid_infill_speed]\n;support material speed = [support_material_speed]mm/s\n;gap fill speed = [gap_fill_speed]mm/s\n;travel speed = [travel_speed]mm/s\n;bridge speed = [bridge_speed]mm/s\n;bridge flow ratio = [bridge_flow_ratio]\n;slowdown if layer time is less than = [slowdown_below_layer_time]secs\n;minimum print speed = [min_print_speed]mm/s\n;\n;bottom solid layers = [bottom_solid_layers]\n;top solid layers = [top_solid_layers]\n;\n;\n;EXTRUSION\n;\n;filament diameter = [filament_diameter_0]mm\n;nozzle diameter = [nozzle_diameter_0]mm\n;bridge flow ratio = [bridge_flow_ratio]\n;extrusion axis = [extrusion_axis]\n;extrusion multiplier = [extrusion_multiplier_0]\n;extrusion width = [extrusion_width]mm\n;first layer extrusion width = [first_layer_extrusion_width]mm\n;perimeter extrusion width = [perimeter_extrusion_width]mm\n;infill extrusion width = [infill_extrusion_width]mm\n;solid infill extrusion width = [solid_infill_extrusion_width]mm\n;top infill extrusion width = [top_infill_extrusion_width]mm\n;support material extrusion width = [support_material_extrusion_width]mm\n;\n;\n;SUPPORT\n;\n;raft layers = [raft_layers]\n;brim width = [brim_width]mm\n;support material = [support_material]\n;support material threshold = [support_material_threshold] degrees\n;support material enforced for first n layers = [support_material_enforce_layers]\n;support material extruder = [support_material_extruder]\n;support material extrusion width = [support_material_extrusion_width]mm\n;support material interface layers = [support_material_interface_layers]\n;support material interface spacing = [support_material_interface_spacing]mm\n;support material pattern = [support_material_pattern]\n;support material angle = [support_material_angle] degrees\n;support material spacing = [support_material_spacing]mm\n;support material speed = [support_material_speed]mm/s\n;\n;\n;EVERYTHING ELSE\n;\n;complete objects = [complete_objects]\n;cooling enabled = [cooling]\n;default acceleration = [default_acceleration]mm/s/s\n;disable fan for first layers = [disable_fan_first_layers]\n;duplicate = [duplicate]\n;duplicate distance = [duplicate_distance]mm\n;duplicate grid = [duplicate_grid]\n;external perimeters first = [external_perimeters_first]\n;extra perimeters = [extra_perimeters]\n;extruder clearance height = [extruder_clearance_height]mm\n;extruder clearance radius = [extruder_clearance_radius]mm\n;extruder offset = [extruder_offset]mm\n;fan always on = [fan_always_on]\n;fan below layer time = [fan_below_layer_time]secs\n;fill angle = [fill_angle] degrees\n;fill pattern = [fill_pattern]\n;gcode arcs = [gcode_arcs]\n;gcode comments = [gcode_comments]\n;gcode flavor = [gcode_flavor]\n;infill acceleration = [infill_acceleration]mm/s/s\n;infill extruder = [infill_extruder]\n;infill first = [infill_first]\n;infill only where needed = [infill_only_where_needed]\n;minimum skirt length = [min_skirt_length]mm\n;only retract when crossing perimeters = [only_retract_when_crossing_perimeters]\n;perimeter acceleration = [perimeter_acceleration]mm/s/s\n;perimeter extruder = [perimeter_extruder]\n;randomize start = [randomize_start]\n;resolution = [resolution]mm\n;retract before travel = [retract_before_travel_0]\n;retract on layer change = [retract_layer_change_0]\n;retract length = [retract_length_0]mm\n;retract length on tool change = [retract_length_toolchange_0]mm\n;retract lift = [retract_lift_0]\n;retract extra distance on restart = [retract_restart_extra_0]mm\n;retract extra on tool change = [retract_restart_extra_toolchange_0]mm\n;retract speed = [retract_speed_0]mm/s\n;rotate = [rotate] degrees\n;scale = [scale]\n;skirt distance = [skirt_distance]mm\n;skirt height = [skirt_height]mm\n;solid fill pattern = [solid_fill_pattern]\n;solid infill below area = [solid_infill_below_area]mm (sq)\n;solid infill every n layers = [solid_infill_every_layers]\n;\n;\n;- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -\n;\n;\nT1; set primary extruder\nM73 P0; enable show build progress\nM109 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] T0; heat bed up to first layer temperature\nM104 S[first_layer_temperature_0] T1; set nozzle heater to first layer temperature\nM103; disable RPM\nG21; set units to mm\nG162 X Y F6000; home XY axes maximum\nG161 Z F9000; home Z axis minimum\nG92 Z0; set Z to 0\nM132 X Y Z A B; Recall stored home offsets\nG90; set positioning to absolute\nG1 Z30; move Z to waiting height\nG1 X-95 Y-73 Z30 F14000; move to waiting position (front left corner of print bed)\nG130 X0 Y0 A0 B0; set stepper motor vref to lower value while heating\nM6; wait for bed and extruder to heat up\nG130 X127 Y127 A127 B127; set stepper motor vref to defaults\nM108 T1 R3; set extruder speed\nG92 E0; set E to 0\nG90; use absolute coordinates\nM320; acceleration enabled for all commands that follow\nG1 Z[first_layer_height] F6000.000; move to first layer height\nG1 X100 Y-73 F14000.000; move to front right corner of bed\nG1 X-90 Y-73 E24 F2000.000; extrude a line of filament across the front edge of the bed\nG4 P2000; wait for ooze to slow\nG1 Z0 F6000.000; lower nozzle height to 0\nG1 X-95; wipe nozzle\nG1 Z[first_layer_height] F6000.000; set nozzle to first layer height\nG1 F12000; ensure fast travel to first print move\nG92 E0; set E to 0 again\nM73 P0; reset build progress to 0\n
support_material = 0
support_material_angle = 0
support_material_enforce_layers = 0
support_material_extruder = 1
support_material_extrusion_width = 0
support_material_interface_extruder = 1
support_material_interface_layers = 3
support_material_interface_spacing = 0
support_material_interface_speed = 100%
support_material_pattern = pillars
support_material_spacing = 2.5
support_material_speed = 60
support_material_threshold = 0
temperature = 230,230
thin_walls = 1
threads = 2
toolchange_gcode =
top_infill_extrusion_width = 0
top_solid_infill_speed = 50
top_solid_layers = 3
travel_speed = 130
use_firmware_retraction = 0
use_relative_e_distances = 0
vibration_limit = 0
wipe = 0,0
z_offset = 0