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Partial Answer Layer lines on my prints are not even

Discussion in 'Troubleshooting' started by Domenic, Nov 22, 2018.

  1. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Worse on X than Y
    I just used this for X for belt tension adjustment. ZipTies ... gotta love 'em
    Needs tightening? Grab a pair of needle-nose pliers :)

    Belt Tensioner.jpg
     
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  2. Domenic

    Domenic Member

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    Wow that’s a nice little contraption lol. So I did that on my x axis and nothing really changed. I also changed my nozzle to a .25mm nozzle and the same thing happened.
     

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  3. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Have you calibrated the extruder to be sure it is not over extruding?
    It is either a loose drive component or too much plastic...

     
  4. Domenic

    Domenic Member

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    Yes I have calibrated it, but I guess it can’t hurt to do it again. What do you mean by loose drive component?
     
  5. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Belt, drive cog on motor shaft (what makes the belt move), pulley, you know ... that stuff :)
    Something loose there. The drive cog set screw is the most evil.
     
  6. Domenic

    Domenic Member

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    So I have done almost everything in the book. I would say the only thing left that I could try is replacing the smooth rods on the X and Y axes, and to replace the belts on the X and Y axes. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get replacement, and or better belts.
     
  7. Geof

    Geof Volunteer Moderator
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    Amazon is just fine IMO. With the rods, you will likely have to cut them to size.
     
  8. Domenic

    Domenic Member

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    Ok, do you know the specific type of belt I need to get? Or does it not matter
     
  9. Geof

    Geof Volunteer Moderator
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  10. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Or just get the 6 foot one and cut them to size :)

    Either way works fine. Pretty sure those are 8mm rods (the LM8uu bearings are the give-away). So get them cut to length or just get long ones and cut them yourself (that was what I did and I got them from Amazon as @Geof said).
     
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  11. Domenic

    Domenic Member

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    So replaced the belt on the X and the Y axes and there was no change. Prints still look the same. I'm pretty much out of ideas except the rods on the X and Y axes. Does anyone have any other ideas?
     
  12. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    You have checked to make sure the bases on the smooth rods are not cracked or broken?
    Maybe print these and replace them (these are sturdier/stiffer -- see attached -- quick enough print):

    (these are on thingiverse I htink, but done by another forum member)
     

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  13. izumi5188

    izumi5188 Member

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    So, I see you're still having issues. Are you printing PLA? How old is your filament? And how has it been stored? I've seen this inconsistency on old filament that needs a good drying, sometimes it just needs to be chucked. If you have another roll, give that a try.
     
  14. TheOneWhoWhelms

    TheOneWhoWhelms New Member

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    I'm having the same issue as well, printing with PLA. I've done the following:
    -Tried a belt tensioner, no change
    -Replaced the nozzle, no change
    -Confirmed that the linear bearings are fine
    -Tried several different filament spools, various brands, even a brand new one, no change. I store all of my filament in sealed, humidity-controlled boxes as well.
    -Calibrated the extruder several times

    Any other thoughts?
     
  15. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    (1) could maybe help. I'd also check the drive spockets on the stepper shafts since those can be loose and generate "wiggle" too.
    (2) would not really be a factor in layer lines unless you did something like use a 0.4 nozzle and tell the slicer it was 0.2 mm
    (3) would also help. Slop in the drive is slop in the drive no matter who causes it. Less likely on X axis, but Y is certainly susceptible
    (4) Not likely to be the issue, bad filament has gaps/bubbles stuff like that, not excess extrusion.
    (5) This is probably the best thing to do. Make sure it actually "took" and that after calibration the extruded amount is correct.
     
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  16. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
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  17. TheOneWhoWhelms

    TheOneWhoWhelms New Member

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