Problem |
Description |
Troubleshooting Steps |
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Missing Material: |
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Missing Jets: Missing material in part (left to right) |
Part has groove(s) of material missing often in the in the shape of a line from the left to right direction. If the part is across multiple lanes (front to back) missing material will occur across each lane in the same relative location and width. |
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Dragging: Missing material in part (left to right) |
Part and verification wall look as if something has been dragged across the surface of the part. There may be missing material in the part and/or extra material dragged or smudged outside the part in the areas of missing material. |
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Horizontal line or appearance of missing layer |
The printed part has a horizontal line through the entire part or appears to have a missing layer of material. |
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Gap in material |
The printed part has a gap in the material 1/3 and/or 2/3 of the way across the part (front to back when standing in front of the printer). |
The printer is out of calibration, contact your certified partner for service. |
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Extra Material: |
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Smearing: Support material extends beyond part or is present on surfaces of part after post processing |
Parts have observable support material extended beyond where the part should be in the left to right direction. Extra material described as "flames" or "spurs" of material. |
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Dripping |
Material has dripped on the part or in the build chamber area. |
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Snow: Snow like material in the build chamber |
The development of "snow" within the build chamber is normal. |
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Bump |
The part has a bump or a ridge of extra material 1/3 and way 2/3 of the across print platform (orientation front to back). |
Contact your certified partner for service. |
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Discoloration: |
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Blotches: Clear or white material has yellow discoloration areas or spots |
Clear material appears to have yellow spots. |
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Color mixing |
The printed material appears to have small areas of lighter or darker color. |
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Printed part changes shade |
The top portion of the part does not have the same shade as the bottom portion of the part. |
Part material has a small amount of lot to lot variation. Prior to printing, confirm that all part material needed for the job has the same lot code. |
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Part color fades |
The printed part fades from clear to yellow (when printing with clear material or black to gray) when printing with black material. |
Parts can fade or change color over time. To reduce the change in color, limit part exposure to light and heat sources. |
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Permanent marks on part after post processing |
The finished part has an outline and discoloration in the shape of another post processed part. |
Avoid stacking or overlapping parts when post processing. |
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Surface Finish: |
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Top surface shine and matte |
The top horizontal surface of the printed part has some areas that are shiny (glossy appearance) and some areas that have a matte finish. |
In 3DSPRINT, position the part at a slight right angle to the horizontal surface prior to sending to the printer. |
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Side surface vs. top/bottom surface |
The top/bottom surfaces appears smooth while the side surfaces appear to be rough or have steps of material. |
The printer encapsulates support (wax) material when printing which will cause the sides to have a matte finish. Horizontal surfaces may have a glossy appearance due to the print process. To eliminate gloss, position the part in 3DSPRINT so that horizontal surfaces are minimized. |
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Degraded fine details | The surfaces appear degraded and fine details are either missing or not completed as designed. |
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Surface mottle, visual non-uniformity or too hot. |
The surface of parts appears spotty or mottle in texture. Sharp corners may be rounded - especially the upward facing features. |
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Part Distortion: |
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Upward part curl on flat surfaces relative to the build plate. |
Part is bowed or curled and surface is no longer flat. Curling occurs in the z-axis (vertical direction) from the print platform. The curls occurs prior to post processing the part. |
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General part distortion during or after post processing |
Part is bowed, curled or warped and/or surface is no longer flat after post processing the part. |
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Dimensional accuracy |
The completed part does not match the size desired. |
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Other: |
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Part won't adhere to the print platform |
The printed part is not building correctly on the print platform, the support (wax) material won't adhere to the print platform. |
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Verification wall tipped/broken near base |
The verification wall has tipped/broken off near the base and fallen onto the printed part. Sprayed material appears on the right side of the build chamber. A pause in the print job may result in the verification wall cooling and becoming brittle. Upon resuming the print job, the planarizer contact may cause the verification wall to fall over onto the print job. |
To avoid, do not allow pauses in the print job such as waste bag replacements or empty material cartridges. |
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Tall and thin part(s) fall over during printing | Very tall and /or thin parts placed vertical in the z-direction appear to have been partially printed and then broke off the build plate. Debris from the printhead may be seen in the build area or on the verification wall from the part material being jetted into the build area instead of onto the broken part. |
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The printer has a limitation when printing up facing engraved text or lines. | All edges are not sharp but beveled when the fine features are printed upward facing. |
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