Dropping Top Infill

Vertex 3D Printer Vertex - Issues while printing
1

Hello,

I tried printing an object after having my printer unused for a month or so and I experienced an issue with one of my print heads where the top infill drooped down resulting in a poor finish. This is how it should look (printed using the left nozzle):
imgur.com/Eii9Syz
This is how it looks (printed from the right nozzle with the same settings):
imgur.com/Wd6a9ZY
I am unsure whether this is due to too much or too little plastic coming out, but either way it is probably due to the nozzle rather than anything else. Please can someone suggest what I should do to fix the issue?

Thanks!

2

It kind of looks like the nozzle might be running a little hot.
Check the thermistor for placement and the screws that hold the wires are tight.

Just a guess but hope it helps.

3

This could be the case as I’ve noticed the print heads have been struggling to maintain temperature with the fan on full.

4

Are you printing with PLA or ABS?
I print PLA = 190C
ABS (I don’t print with) but I have read 220C

5

I am using PLA at 210°C as this provides the best results for me under normal conditions.

6

If the room the printer in cool or cold?

7

I just switched the printer on to check the idle (room) temperature of the print heads and it says the room is at 23°C which strikes me as a reasonable temperature, but that would not explain the difference in the print from the left and right nozzles.

8

210° is usually too much for PLA. 190° is enough. The thermistor is not in contact with the heater block and is cooled by the fan. So it shows a rather correct room temperature but an highly underestimated heater temperature.

9

I’ll have a look at replacing the thermistor, but it’s worth noting the cooling effect occurred for both heads so I don’t think it would be an issue with thermistor placement.

I will also see if I can reduce the temperature a little, but for the most part I find 210°C to work pretty well.

I printed some tests and the drooping was consistent through 190, 200 and 210°C.

Thanks for the suggestions.