Top 10 most common 3D printing mistakes and how to avoid them
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If your parts are flawed, do not adhere to the bed or come out deformed, you are probably making one of these 3D printing mistakes.
It can be frustrating when things don't go as expected. Here's how to fix them.
1. Poor adhesion to the printing bed
If the first layer does not stick well, everything else will fail.
Solution:
- Level the bed correctly. Use a sheet of paper or calibrate with automatic sensors.
- Clean the surface well. Remains of grease or dust can ruin the adhesion. Use isopropyl alcohol.
- Adjusts the temperature. Raise the bed temperature (e.g. PLA to 60°C, ABS to 100°C).
- Use adhesives if necessary. Lacquer, glue stick or painter's tape can help.
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2. Printing with warping (corner detachment)
Warping occurs when the corners of the part are lifted and deformed.
Solution:
- Use a warm bed. For ABS and other sensitive materials, a constant temperature is key.
- Apply a border or skirt. This improves adhesion and reduces thermal stress.
- Controls the ambient temperature. Avoid drafts and use a closed box if printing with ABS.
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3. Under-extrusion (lack of material in the impression)
If the layers look thin or there are gaps in the part, the extruder is not pulling enough material.
Solution:
- Calibrate the extrusion flow. Adjust the value in the software so that the filament flows correctly.
- Check the nozzle. Puede estar obstruida, límpiala con una aguja o usa un «cold pull».
- Make sure that the filament moves freely. A filament stuck in the spool can cause this problem.
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4. Overextrusion (too much material)
If the layers look flattened or there is excess material in the parts, the printer is extruding more than necessary.
Solution:
- Reduces the flow in the software. A setting between 90-95% usually corrects the problem.
- Calibrate the extruder. It measures whether the extruder actually pushes the correct amount of filament.
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5. Stringing (filament strands between parts)
If you see fine threads between parts of your print, this is due to inefficient retraction.
Solution:
- Activates and adjusts the retraction in the cutting software. Increasing the distance and speed can improve the result.
- Reduces the hotend temperature. At lower temperatures, the filament drips less.
- Habilita la opción «Combing». This causes the nozzle to move inside the part instead of through the air.
- Remember to dry your strands: Moisture in the filaments can generate stringing or threads in your prints.
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6. Printing with layer shifting
If the layers do not match and the print appears skewed, there is a mechanical problem.
Solution:
- Check that the straps are not loose. If they are loose, tighten them.
- Make sure that the shafts are well lubricated. Use grease or oil on guides and rods.
- Check that the motor bolts are securely fastened. A loose motor causes displacements.
7. Efecto «Ghosting» o vibraciones en la impresión
If you notice shadows or vibrations on the surfaces of your print, it is likely that there are resonances in the structure of the printer.
Solution:
- Reduces printing speed and acceleration. Less vibration means better quality.
- Ensure that the printer is on a stable surface. A vibrating table can affect the result.
- Verify that the screws and mechanical parts are properly tightened. Games in the structure generate instability.
8. Problems with the extruder that stops pushing filament.
Another of the most common errors in 3D printing is when the printer stops extruding in the middle of the print, the filament is stuck or the motor cannot push it.
Solution:
- Check if the nozzle is clogged. Usa la técnica del «cold pull» para limpiarla.
- Make sure that the filament is not stuck. Check the Bowden tube and the extruder.
- Increases the extruder temperature. A poorly melted filament does not flow well.
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9. Elephant foot
Si la base de tu impresión se ensancha y parece aplastada, tienes el famoso «pie de elefante». Esto ocurre cuando la primera capa se expande más de lo debido, afectando la precisión de la pieza.
Solution:
- Reduces the temperature of the bed. If it is too hot, the plastic softens and expands.
- Adjusts the height of the nozzle. If it is too low, the first layer will be crushed more than necessary.
- Habilita la «Compensación para pie de elefante» en el software de corte. Some slicers allow correcting this problem by slightly reducing the size of the first layers (see horizontal expansion of the initial layer).
- Use a skirt or a border. This can minimize the impact of the elephant foot without affecting the main part.
10. Gaps between walls (walls that do not stick together).
If you notice gaps between the walls of your print, as if the layers are not joining properly, the problem is usually in the wall thickness setting or in the amount of extruded material.
Solution:
- Increases wall thickness. Make sure the thickness is at least 1.2 times the diameter of the nozzle.
- Adjusts the extrusion flow. A low flow rate can generate voids, try raising it slightly in the cutting software.
- Verify the overlapping of the printing lines. En algunos slicers, puedes aumentar la «superposición de paredes» para mejorar la adhesión entre líneas.
- Check the nozzle and extruder. A partially clogged nozzle or a slipping extruder can lead to a lack of material in the print.
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Conclusion
These 3D printing mistakes are common, but easy to fix with the right adjustments. Have you had any of these problems? Leave us your experience in the comments and tell us what tricks you use to improve your prints, we'll read you!
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