Missing layers I think?

[3doftom 61]

Hi everyone,

Had a failed print last night. not sure what happened because I wasn't watching it.

Had this on normal quick print settings with supports everywhere and a 12% infill.

It looks like it stopped printing several layers but then picked back up again.

I was hearing a clicking sound every once and a while printing another model before this one.

I'm not sure where the sound was coming from, but that print finished successfully (12+ hour print).

gr5 suggested this:

 

That's common with "bad" models. Look at your model in cura layer view and see if it also skips those layers there. In fact NEVER print anything before spending a full minute looking it over in layer view.

 

but I don't think that is the case, looking at the file right now, the layers look ok in Cura.

I think maybe this looks like the same issue, but not sure, and I don't know if they settled on any one thing:

http://ultimaker.com/en/community/view/11123-z-axis-layer-error

What do ya'll think?

Thanks!

[cloakfiend 996]

It looks like a jammed feeder or bad model, eitherway easily sorted, i posted a link to the bad model issue on your other thread from this (now below), and the way to solve bad filament spool jams is printing like this with the right amount of filament measured.

Bad model possibility,

but if others have printed this with no issues, then its more likely a spool jam. BTW when printing circular things, dont bother with infill, just make the walls slightly thicker. Saves time and money!

Edited June 23, 2015 by Guest

[3doftom 61]

It looks like a jammed feeder or bad model...

but if others have printed this with no issues, then its more likely a spool jam. BTW when printing circular things, dont bother with infill, just make the walls slightly thicker. Saves time and money!

 

Excellent! thanks for the suggestions! I really appreciate it.

[cloakfiend 996]

You may want to do an atomic pull before each print to be sure your nozzle isnt blocked. Cant hurt. anything to avoid the clicking is ok in my book.

[3doftom 61]

You may want to do an atomic pull before each print to be sure your nozzle isnt blocked. Cant hurt. anything to avoid the clicking is ok in my book.

 

Thanks cloakfiend! I'll keep everyone updated.

[gr5 2,235]

It could have been tangled filament. I often print with my printer sideways so the spool isn't hidden. Also I usually put the filament on the floor as that helps the entry direction into the feeder.

[valcrow 145]

Agree with Gr5. I've had this exact issue and symptom and it turned out to be tangled or snagged filament that corrected itself after a few layers.

[cloakfiend 996]

 

@GR5 can you post a pic of your printer sideways, as the spool jam issue, tangled filament, or whatever you want to call it, is my main issue with the printer, but all these type of printers will have this issue apart form the cartridge ones that control how much filament comes out and have it enclosed. I have no idea other than cutting off measured filament (as i posted in the pic above) of preventing tangled filament. It used to happen to me every now and then, but now it NEVER happens since switching to this method. Is there another method (that is as effective as this one) other than cutting it off the roll to prevent tangles as i would love to know it, but i just cant think of anything as good?

[gr5 2,235]

When you open the filament spool the first time it's easy for the end to get under a loop. Once this happens this "knot" or "tangle" can haunt you for the entire spool until you remove it. Whenever I remove a spool from the printer I am careful to never let go of the end. I tuck that end into one of the holes and then throw away or break off the extra bit of filament. This seems wasteful but it is worth it to not have tangles.

Here is my "floor" method which is irrelevant from tangles other than when you do get them you can see the entire spool lifting off the floor towards the printer:

[cloakfiend 996]

Thanks for the pic, but unfortunately my printer is in an office so i cant put the filament on the floor for health and safety reasons, and im contantly being told to keep the area tidy which is a bit of a pain but hey ho, rules are rules. I guess ill just carry on cutting the filament off the roll then.

[3doftom 61]

Great tips guys!

Printed the part last night with no problem! It looks to be as simple as the spool getting tangled up with that last one. I really appreciate your feedback!

Printed the bottom part of the globe last night with 0% infill on normal quick print settings. Turned out pretty nice.

[3doftom 61]

How do I mark this question as resolved?

If I try to select a "best answer" then I just get re-directed to a 403 forbidden page.

I'm guessing that issue has already been addressed on the forums and someone is already working on a solution.