Gaps in Outside Perimeter Between Layers

[JustinDS89]

I recently switched to a .3mm nozzle so I could print a small gear out better.

I noticed when printing a simple cube I am getting gaps between the layers of the perimeter. Not sure what's causing this as the first part of the cube turned out great.

I have attached a picture better showing the problem I am having.

Any help is appreciated!

[JustinDS89]

It looks like it may be just skipping parts of the layer.

[JustinDS89]

I tried swapping the nozzle with a known good .4mm nozzle and it did the same thing once it was about half way done with the model.

Any help would be appreciated.

[dkightley]

Why not attach a factory file for what you're printing. That way, others can see what your settings are....and may be able to suggest what you can do.

[JustinDS89]

Why not attach a factory file for what you're printing. That way, others can see what your settings are....and may be able to suggest what you can do.

Hello again! I suppose I probably should post the factory file, but didn't think about it with my initial post.

Attached is the factory file.

Thanks for the help!

[JustinDS89]

I have done some further testing. I can print out of the other side of my printer perfectly with same filament, settings & temps. So this would indicate to me that it has to be something wrong with the right side. I then proceeded to change tip to a brand new tip to make sure it wasn't the problem. I also changed the stepper motors around as I was thinking it could be a problem with that, but still have the same results on the same side.

I feel I have eliminated just about everything being the problem other than the driver/main board of my printer. Do you think this could be the problem?

[dkightley]

Interesting.....

Firstly, I do not think you have a problem with either your stepper motors or your board. Things going wrong there usually show as interrupted printing...and I mean big time interruptions!...and unexplained movement or lack of movement. I had an issue about a week or so ago whereby the print head on one of my printers very occasionally started running back-to front when it shouldn't have done! I traced this to metal fatigue in the ribbon cable supplying the y axis stepper motor. Four and a half years of back and forth movement finally had an effect!! Nothing that a new cable wouldn't cure!!

With you being able to print a model on one side of the bed and not the other, I'm wondering if you might be having some issues with the filament not feeding correctly. Is the side you can print okay put more or less sideways strain on the filament feed tube?? If so, I'd check there is sufficient tension on the filament clamp on the stepper motor pinion.....there may be some slippage when the feed puts strain in one direction.

You've not said what your printer is....but I'm guessing from the settings that its a Makerbot or similar and you're printing PLA. Does your extruder have a PTFE lined tube? If so, try fitting a new liner. They can stick when the running temperature fluctuates on a print run. Other than this, a few things to try that don't involve spending money!! Try printing a few degrees hotter or cooler, or raising and lowering the print speed...both to see what the effect is. And an obvious one, have you changed filament recently? You may have a roll that needs slightly different settings.