Inconsistent prints

theone8181 · 7 Nov 2023 at 06:59

Hi guys I recently changed my print head and for a while my prints were fine. Just recently however, larger prints have started coming out like the attached pic. Any ideas? I did recently format my pc so it's possible some of my settings are no longer correct, for reference I'm using a qidi xmax and it's PLA. I did bake/dehumidifying yesterday, but that didn't solve it. At one point the first few layers were going down OK then just the vertical bit were an issue. This is a hot wheels track BTW.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

wafflecart · 7 Nov 2023 at 10:43

Is your temps correct for pla? Also do you have the door closed on the printer and have it being actively heated don’t think that’s needed for PLA, try with door open.

theone8181 · 7 Nov 2023 at 12:18

Off the top of my head, I'm not sure on colling. The door is always closed, the case fans might have been on, can't remember. It's just odd it was fine, and seems to be OK for smaller prints, although the heat is going to be far lower for that.

ElliorR · 7 Nov 2023 at 13:29

Try that same print with the door open and the lid off when using PLA. PLA does not like to be printed in an enclosure and the larger the part the longer the print time allowing the chamber temperature to get higher.

If you’ve got any ABS, and if it is just the fact you printed that PLA model enclosed, then ABS should print fine with the door shut and the lid on.

theone8181 · 7 Nov 2023 at 13:39

OK cheers, I maybe made a rid for my own back by putting a lid on my printer (which does make it a bit more tolerable when sat next to it).

VeNT · 7 Nov 2023 at 22:31

could be under extrusion, blockage or something else.
try a different filament, eliminate that.
replace the nozzle?

theone8181 · 8 Nov 2023 at 07:06

I tried with no lid on and quite pleased with the results. As an aside I was trying to finish off this PLA as I've got some TPU I want to print with, think I timed it quite well :cry:

.

ElliorR · 8 Nov 2023 at 13:41

Hot air rises unless blocked

If you're going to have an issue the best ones are the easy to fix ones.

theone8181 · 9 Nov 2023 at 07:05

ElliorR said:
Hot air rises unless blocked If you're going to have an issue the best ones are the easy to fix ones.

Yea it's just weird that it was fine with this exact setup a couple of weeks ago. Anyway I started with my TPU last night and thats not too bad (although a little stringy).

wafflecart · 13 Nov 2023 at 04:58

Glad that sorted it! That’s a close call on the filament running out

theone8181 · 13 Nov 2023 at 07:24

I like to live dangerously :cry:

.