Did your print shift layers?

Did your print shift layers?

When the layers of your print do not align on top of one another, then there must have been something gone wrong during the printing process. It could be that the printer nudged hard while it was printing or there could have been misplaced internal parts.

Solutions:

Placing your printer on top of a sturdy surface with minimal interference from outside forces can easily solve your problem. If not, you should inspect the rods or nozzle to see if everything’s fine.

  • Place the printer atop a sturdy surface: Prevent unnecessary jolts and bumps by placing your printer on a stable base to keep it steady and immovable. It could also help to prevent your pets or children from playing near it to prevent mishaps.
  • Secure the print base: Some printers have a detachable print base that could move during printing. Make sure that your print base is attached to the printer to prevent it from moving around.
  • Ensure that everything’s going well with the rods: Misshapen or bent rods can affect the printing. Check by moving the print head through the X- and Y-axis while the printer is unplugged. If you feel resistance, then there could be a deformity in the rod. Remove the rods and roll them on a flat surface to make them straight again. You should also oil them so that the print head could run unobstructedly through the rods.
  • Reduce the fan speed: The upper layers warp if they are cooled too fast. And when they warp, they tend to push upwards and obstruct the movement of the nozzle. Reducing the speed of the fan will prevent warping.
  • Lower the print speed: Printing too fast can prevent the filament from flowing properly. If you could hear clicking sounds during printing, you may be going too fast. You can adjust the speed in the slicing software program.
  • Tighten the belts: Loose belts can also cause your print layers to be misaligned. Check if your belts are in an okay position by making sure that the tension is even all throughout. If there’s a looser part, adjust it to distribute the tightness.
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