Topic outline
- General
General
Many companies use 3D printing, a form of additive manufacturing, for prototyping or turning out production parts. It is a computer-based process that lays down layer after layer of a product until it is complete. The process uses metal or plastics and starts with a 3D digital model of the final object.
The most fundamental and distinguishing concept behind 3D printing is that it's a method of additive manufacturing. And this really is the key, since 3D printing is a fundamentally different manufacturing process based on innovative technology that creates parts in layers additively. This is radically different from all other conventional manufacturing methods that already exist.
In this chapter we are going to look at common 3d printing issues that should be resolved in order to increase the print quality. Each issue has a clear high resolution photograph, a detailed explanation of the subject and a problem solving checklist for how to improve 3D print quality. This includes instructions for software settings and even best practices for specific prints and materials, where applicable.
First layer Issues
The most significant layer possibly is the first layer of your print. As a base for your entire print, the proper adhesion to the build plate is important. Many common issues with 3D printing originate from a weak first layer. There are a few things which can go wrong when you print the first layer.
If the nozzle is too close to the printing bed, there would be little space for the plastic to get out of the extruder. You can effectively obstruct the opening by making the nozzle too close to the surface of the print, so that no plastic can be extruded. You can quickly identify this problem when the first or two layers of plastic are not extruded by the printer. Use Live Change Z and First Layer Calibration options to tweak the nozzle height.
If the steps described above didn’t help, then try decreasing the printing speed. The easiest way to do it is by rotating the knob during the printing process. Anti-clockwise = decrease speed, Clockwise = increase speed. We suggest decreasing the speed to about 75% for the first three layers, then return it to normal. Make sure to use the recommended nozzle and heatbed temperatures – PrusaSlicer will configure them correctly based on the selected material, so you don’t need to adjust the temperatures manually on the printer itself. If you are experimenting with new materials that don’t adhere well, you can try to bump up the heatbed temperature by 5-10 °C. This way the plastic will stick a bit better.
Tips for getting print to stick:
For many 3D printers this is one of the most frequent problems. If your adhesion is missing, you can end up with twisted printing – or no printing at all besides a big mess of tangled filament on your bed. The following are the different reasons for failure of bed adhesion before or during a print.