Sloppy Layering

#1
I've now got all my steppers calibrated and printing straight with no skips or offset, HOORAY!

Now I'm working on fine tuning my print to get the quality and detail to where it should be.

My print flow is coming out with a very beaded look. It's steady and consistent, but just "beaded". I'm not sure what to tweak to get the flow smooth and thin. I've been running the prints really slow with low acceleration to keep the print from shifting while I've been calibrating.

See attached images for the issue.

My slic3r settings are as follows:

bed_size = 410,400
bed_temperature = 0
bottom_solid_layers = 2
bridge_acceleration = 600
bridge_fan_speed = 100
bridge_flow_ratio = 1
bridge_speed = 40
brim_width = 0
complete_objects = 0
cooling = 1
default_acceleration = 600
disable_fan_first_layers = 1
duplicate = 1
duplicate_distance = 6
duplicate_grid = 1,1
end_gcode = M104 S0 ; turn off temperature\nG28 X0 ; home X axis\nM84 ; disable motors
external_perimeter_speed = 70%
external_perimeters_first = 0
extra_perimeters = 1
extruder_clearance_height = 20
extruder_clearance_radius = 20
extruder_offset = 0x0
extrusion_axis = E
extrusion_multiplier = 1
extrusion_width = 0
fan_always_on = 0
fan_below_layer_time = 60
filament_diameter = 1.75
fill_angle = 0
fill_density = .30
fill_pattern = rectilinear
first_layer_acceleration = 600
first_layer_bed_temperature = 0
first_layer_extrusion_width = 200%
first_layer_height = 0.35
first_layer_speed = 30%
first_layer_temperature = 198
g0 = 0
gap_fill_speed = 20
gcode_arcs = 0
gcode_comments = 0
gcode_flavor = reprap
infill_acceleration = 600
infill_every_layers = 1
infill_extruder = 1
infill_extrusion_width = 0
infill_first = 0
infill_only_where_needed = 1
infill_speed = 40
layer_gcode =
layer_height = 0.23
max_fan_speed = 100
min_fan_speed = 35
min_print_speed = 10
min_skirt_length = 0
notes =
nozzle_diameter = 0.46
only_retract_when_crossing_perimeters = 1
ooze_prevention = 0
output_filename_format = [input_filename_base].gcode
overhangs = 1
perimeter_acceleration = 600
perimeter_extruder = 1
perimeter_extrusion_width = 0
perimeter_speed = 40
perimeters = 2
post_process =
print_center = 205,200
raft_layers = 0
randomize_start = 0
resolution = 0
retract_before_travel = 2
retract_layer_change = 1
retract_length = 1
retract_length_toolchange = 10
retract_lift = 0
retract_restart_extra = 0
retract_restart_extra_toolchange = 0
retract_speed = 30
rotate = 0
scale = 1
skirt_distance = 6
skirt_height = 1
skirts = 1
slowdown_below_layer_time = 30
small_perimeter_speed = 40
solid_fill_pattern = rectilinear
solid_infill_below_area = 70
solid_infill_every_layers = 0
solid_infill_extrusion_width = 0
solid_infill_speed = 40
spiral_vase = 0
standby_temperature_delta = -5
start_gcode = G28 ; home all axes\nG1 Z5 F5000 ; lift nozzle
start_perimeters_at_concave_points = 0
start_perimeters_at_non_overhang = 0
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_pattern = honeycomb
support_material_spacing = 2.5
support_material_speed = 40
support_material_threshold = 0
temperature = 203
thin_walls = 1
threads = 2
toolchange_gcode =
top_infill_extrusion_width = 0
top_solid_infill_speed = 30
top_solid_layers = 2
travel_speed = 40
use_firmware_retraction = 0
use_relative_e_distances = 0
vibration_limit = 0
wipe = 0
z_offset = 0
 

Attachments

Rojo

New Member
#2
Hi, I had this problem early on as well, I eventually found that the printer was over extruding, I am finding that I am slowly dialling it out on the Slic3r settings. The 2 settings that I found that really changed the quality of the print with the extrusion as follows:

Filament Diameter: measure your filament with a digital calliper in several places, average it and input that measurement. For the colour fabb and some filament I got from RS here in the UK I have been using 1.77 instead of the default 1.75.

Extrusion Multipler: My last print I changed this to .89 and it came out brilliant, but have been doing successful prints at .9. Changing this measurement is a fix of sorts, but it really means that your extruder needs to be calibrated in the firmware on the printer board, you can find out how to do this on the web somewhere but I cant seem to find where I saw it originally!!! So far I have not yet been brave enough to play with the firmware.

Hope this helps.

Rowan.
 
#3
Rowan,

Thanks for the reply. I calibrated the extrusion end in the firmware already, and I lowered the extrusion multiplier and it helps a little. However, the problem is that that the flow is just not consistent. If you refer to the first picture I uploaded it seems that the flow is "jerky" / "beaded" / "wavy" almost like it's oscillating with the steps of the extruder motor / driver. I'm wondering what the stepping is on the drivers Gordon used? (1/8, 1/16, 1/32?)

Any thoughts?

Thanks.
 
#4
PROBLEM SOLVED!

The printer wasn't over extruding it was extruding uneven. The problem: The spring that connects the extruder drive feeder and the beaning together was putting to much pressure on the filament causing it to flow jerky (thus the stepping motion wave).

All i did was loosen the pressure from the spring and tighten down the hex bolt.

WORKS LIKE A CHARM!
 

GORDON.LAPLANTE

Administrator
Staff member
#5
Rojo said:
Hi, I had this problem early on as well, I eventually found that the printer was over extruding, I am finding that I am slowly dialling it out on the Slic3r settings. The 2 settings that I found that really changed the quality of the print with the extrusion as follows:

Filament Diameter: measure your filament with a digital calliper in several places, average it and input that measurement. For the colour fabb and some filament I got from RS here in the UK I have been using 1.77 instead of the default 1.75.

Extrusion Multipler: My last print I changed this to .89 and it came out brilliant, but have been doing successful prints at .9. Changing this measurement is a fix of sorts, but it really means that your extruder needs to be calibrated in the firmware on the printer board, you can find out how to do this on the web somewhere but I cant seem to find where I saw it originally!!! So far I have not yet been brave enough to play with the firmware.

Hope this helps.

Rowan.
You are correct regarding the firmware. The new version on the download site has a higher extrusion multiplier to get the slic3r multiplier back to 1.0 but this means all the old gcode files you may have are useless so its your call if you want to upgrade. The multiplier settings are found in the 'configuration.h' file. I changed these lines

#define DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT {80, 80, 2025, 96} // New (Fixed extrusion multiplier) G-Max values with stepstruder, alum timing belt pulleys, mk7 hob gear

//#define DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT {80, 80, 2025, 126} // OLD (75% extrusion miscalculation) G-Max values with stepstruder, alum timing belt pulleys, mk7 hob gear
 

GORDON.LAPLANTE

Administrator
Staff member
#6
mvanderploeg said:
PROBLEM SOLVED!

The printer wasn't over extruding it was extruding uneven. The problem: The spring that connects the extruder drive feeder and the beaning together was putting to much pressure on the filament causing it to flow jerky (thus the stepping motion wave).

All i did was loosen the pressure from the spring and tighten down the hex bolt.

WORKS LIKE A CHARM!
That's great it worked. If you get a minute can you post an image of the new print to compare? We have also slightly changed the extruder filament arm hardware. Originally the small bearing (putting pressure on the filament) has a 4-40x1/2" screw which is too small a diameter for the bearing allowing the bearing to shift around. We have since upgraded to using m4x12mm bolts with m4 low profile nuts on the back side and now the bearing sits very tight. The original configuration also leads to thin extrusion after you have printed for a while and requires loosening of the bolt for adjustment.

Before:

After:
 

Attachments