Cura seam problems....
Hello, I think this is q quite common issue, but I don't know the word for it, so it is very hard for me to google a solution. So I am asking here, hoping that someone with more experience can help me.
We have a Prusa i3 mk3 and I am pretty happy with the comfort it offers, although the print quality with non-flexible filament is still worse than my personal and optimized Creality Ender2.
One issue that bothers me is the Z-Seam. There always is under extrusion after a layer change (happens with all sorts of non-flexible filaments). Is there a standard cure to this...? Thanks!
Cura 4.0 settings:
PK ! Ñ–˜X X 2 original_prusa_i3_mk3_greentec_pro_gleichrichter_1[general]
version = 4
name = Greentec Pro Gleichrichter 1
definition = fdmprinter
[metadata]
type = quality_changes
quality_type = fast
setting_version = 6
[values]
acceleration_enabled = False
adhesion_type = brim
default_material_bed_temperature = 70
layer_height = 0.1
layer_height_0 = 0.1
retraction_combing = all
support_enable = False
PK ! †zí0 @ original_prusa_i3_mk3_extruder_0_#2_greentec_pro_gleichrichter_1[general]
version = 4
name = Greentec Pro Gleichrichter 1
definition = fdmprinter
[metadata]
type = quality_changes
quality_type = fast
setting_version = 6
position = 0
[values]
acceleration_infill = 1500
acceleration_layer_0 = 1000
acceleration_wall = 800
alternate_extra_perimeter = True
bottom_layers = 4
default_material_print_temperature = 240
infill_before_walls = False
infill_pattern = gyroid
infill_sparse_density = 33
initial_layer_line_width_factor = 100
magic_fuzzy_skin_enabled = False
material_diameter = 1.75
material_final_print_temperature = =max(-273.15, material_print_temperature - 15)
material_flow = 100
material_flow_layer_0 = 110
material_initial_print_temperature = =max(-273.15, material_print_temperature - 10)
material_print_temperature = =default_material_print_temperature
material_print_temperature_layer_0 = =material_print_temperature
meshfix_maximum_resolution = 0.005
retract_at_layer_change = True
retraction_amount = 2
retraction_extra_prime_amount = 0.2
retraction_hop = 0.5
retraction_hop_enabled = True
skin_overlap = 7.5
skirt_brim_speed = 20
speed_equalize_flow_enabled = True
speed_infill = 170
speed_layer_0 = 30
speed_print = 45
speed_print_layer_0 = 20
speed_topbottom = 35
speed_travel = 180
speed_travel_layer_0 = 80
speed_wall_0 = 27
support_bottom_density = 60
support_interface_enable = True
support_interface_pattern = zigzag
support_line_width = 0.35
support_roof_density = 60
support_roof_enable = True
support_z_distance = 0.4
top_layers = 4
wall_line_count = 2
xy_offset_layer_0 = 0
z_seam_type = random
PK ! Ñ–˜X X 2 original_prusa_i3_mk3_greentec_pro_gleichrichter_1PK ! †zí0 @ ¨ original_prusa_i3_mk3_extruder_0_#2_greentec_pro_gleichrichter_1PK Î !
Re: Cura seam problems....
Are you using Linear Advance? Have you calibrated Linear Advance for that filament? (Not sure what speed_equalize_flow_enabled = True does in Cura. There's a LA plugin for Cura.)
I generated a LA test tower showing the effect LA has on the z-seam, starting at 0 on the left (base) and working up in increments of 5 to 80 on the right (top). You can see the seam transitioning from "underbite" to "overbite" with successively higher settings:
Of course, LA won't eliminate the seam, but they are much smoother to the touch at the optimized setting.
It's also worth checking your acceleration and jerk and using appropriate values for the Prusa Mk3. It will make a big difference on print quality, and also make your Cura time estimates more accurate. It does look like you've got some settings in your config.
We have a Prusa i3 mk3 and I am pretty happy with the comfort it offers, although the print quality with non-flexible filament is still worse than my personal and optimized Creality Ender2.
I'd be curious to see side-by-side comparisons.
Re: Cura seam problems....
I haven't used cura on my MK3. But that looks just like what my Anet was printing like, when slicing with cura 3.4, until I turned combing off.
Re: Cura seam problems....
What does the print look like from the inside? Does it look like there are weird movements of the head? I had some weird issues like this that I could not explain at the time. They were more prominent in Cura than SlicerPE. As it turned out my workflow generated a large STL file. The large STL file resulted in a large g-code file. The MK3 could not keep up with the large g-code file and would periodically "drop g-code" resulting in random movements of the head from time to time.
SlicerPE and the MK3 firmware does not tell you when the printer cannot keep up and drops g-code. So, you have no way of knowing this happened except by the print result or watching the entire print. Try reducing the size of your STL and see if that reduces the problem.
Re: Cura seam problems....
Hi, thanks for your suggestions!
The print looks fine except for the seem. It clearly seems like there is not enough flow just after a layer change. I will try to reduce the retract value, maybe that helps... I will also try the effect of combing,and have a look at linear advance.
And I'll also add a comparison pic of the Ender 2 vs. the i3mk3 when there is time!