Still fighting one issue

So I am still fighting one issue with my prints.

As you can see from the images one side (front) looks good but the back side always has some issues. I have tried many things to fix this but still can't understand why it's on one side. The problem improves slightly with lower printing temperatures but never goes away. The backside is where the heater block is so I bought a piece of heat shield (white ceramic cloth) and press fit it just over my nozzle so it's got a slight air gap between it and the heater block and it's blocking the heater block from the printed item and it made no difference at all.

Now, I have had this printer (AirWolf based on Prusa Air) for 2.5 years and it's only done this for the past 45 days or so. I even bought new filament (ABS) tried several colors, tried different temperatures of both heated bed and hotend, tried different speeds.... It use to print just fine at 235c (oh and I tested my temps with a Fluke digital thermometer). As mentioned I can get some improvement by lowering the temp down to 220 but it's still not perfect and the layer adhesion is then weak.

I've not only replaces my nozzle but my entire hotend (Budaschnozzle from Lulzbot) trying to cure this. Really nothing else has changed between when it printed good and now. I am at a loss.

Any ideas?

Hey buddy not that I am any expert or anything im new to this like a couple of month lol, but id say ya printing too fast or try printing something else could be the g code or ya maybe extruding too much, just a thought hope it helps mate let me know

You need to print small/thin parts slow, doesn't matter how cold your extruder is, unless you're pushing through near solid plastic it is going to need to cool. Enable cooling in your slicer. I typically have it set to slow below 15 seconds and run at a minimum 25% speed. For some things I need to go even slower.

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Realizer- One who realizes dreams by making them a reality either by possibility or by completion. Also creating or renewing hopes of dreams.
"keep in mind, even the best printer can not print with the best filament if the user is the problem." -Ohmarinus

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sloppyprinter
Hey buddy not that I am any expert or anything im new to this like a couple of month lol, but id say ya printing too fast or try printing something else could be the g code or ya maybe extruding too much, just a thought hope it helps mate let me know

Hah, second time today I've typed something out and someone else got there first while I was typing.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/2014 02:53PM by MrDoctorDIV.

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Realizer- One who realizes dreams by making them a reality either by possibility or by completion. Also creating or renewing hopes of dreams.
"keep in mind, even the best printer can not print with the best filament if the user is the problem." -Ohmarinus

Cooling is on and it prints these fingers slow. I've also tried slower speed anyway.

Also I use to print these gopro mounts the same way before. In fact I tried an old gcode that I printed before and it does not print correctly now.

Here is an example print from around a year ago using the same basic settings. It's not the exact same file but with the same top design

Have you rechecked your E-steps? Filament diameter?
Are you using a newer version of/different slicer?

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Realizer- One who realizes dreams by making them a reality either by possibility or by completion. Also creating or renewing hopes of dreams.
"keep in mind, even the best printer can not print with the best filament if the user is the problem." -Ohmarinus

All calibration was rechecked.
Same diameter filament (my new roll is 0.04 bigger but that's only one roll and I set it correctly in Slic3r).
Yes, I am using the latest slic3r but also tried with 9.10b (my old faithful) and old Cgode did it as well.

How is that peice oriented on the bed when printed? If you've checked, rechecked, and repaced all of the " non moving" parts, then maybe we need to look at the moving parts. If it just started, and nothing else changed, then perhaps a bearing,bushing, support, etc.. has become worn.

The bad part of the item was pointed straight back. BTW it's not just this file, it just shows up very well on items like this, it is a bit less noticeable but still visible on most prints. The thinner the item the more it shows up.

I also replaced the smooth rods (they were heavily grooved so I thought that was it) and the bearings at the same time.


I appreciate all the input.

Thanks!

Have you checked for belt slop?

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Waitaki 3D Printer

What is the orientation of the bad side with respect to the fan, if any, you have blowing on the object. I know the quality of my small PLA objects increased when I added a second fan to the opposite side of the carriage. I now routinely use on both the front and back of the carriage. I balanced out the cooling. Prior to doing this, I occasionally saw results similar to yours on the side that was away from the fan.

Belts seem nice and tight.

No fan (ABS).