8 3D Printing Mistakes You Should Avoid to Get a Better Print

If you're 3D printing for the first time, simple mistakes can result in poor prints. Here's how to avoid those mistakes.

Most traditional manufacturing processes such as machining, casting, and joining are being replaced by 3D printing. The manufacturing costs are pretty low, so one can design and cheaply manufacture complex models with 3D printers. No material loss saves us a great deal of money.

Learning how to 3D print may take some time, however. It is not only necessary to learn how to use CAD and simulation software for 3D printing, but also how to run the 3D printer itself.

The following article discusses eight mistakes most beginners make when they first start using 3D printing.

1. Incorrect Bed Level Height

A 3D print's first layer is crucial to the rest of the printing process. If you have set the nozzle too far, too close, or not leveled it correctly, you will not get a fine print. In addition to material loss, you can easily lose hours of 3D printing time.

In 3D printing machines with manual leveling systems, it is difficult to adjust the bed level. The bed of these machines has four springs at each corner. You have to level the bed yourself by adjusting the springs.

Beginners who rush into 3D printing tend to focus more on the printing process than setting up the 3D printer. If you don't want your 3D prints to fail after spending hours in processing, you should spend some time leveling up your printer.

Reading your 3D printer's manual will help you properly level the bed of your machine.

2. Incorrect Slicer Settings

Using the wrong material settings in slicers is the second biggest mistake newbies make. Be sure to slice the file properly before sending it to your 3D printer. The print will not be successful if the model isn't properly sliced with the wrong slicer settings.

Keep a close eye on the slicer settings if you plan to use more than one material with your 3D printer. While some materials require high temperatures to print, others can print well at low temperatures. Therefore, these settings are very important.

Check the layer temperatures of a particular material through its manual instead of selecting a random value if you are unfamiliar with them.

Getting a good print from your machine requires a bit of extra time and effort during the slicing stage. Therefore, before you send the G-code to your printer, make sure that your slicer settings are correct.

Related: Beginners Guide to 3D Printing

3. Tangled Filament

When filament gets tangled, people often blame the manufacturer, which is wrong. Except for rare instances, when the filament is spooled down on rolls, there is very little chance of it tangling. If this is the case, you'll be able to see the tangled filament immediately after opening the box.

One end of the filament is inserted into a hole on the spool. Usually, people leave the free end hanging in the air and it gets tangled with any of the other layers. Once it has rolled out of the spool, you may not be able to roll it back again correctly. Even if it seems fine, the layers may become tangled.

When you feed the tangled filament into a printer, it may catch, or you may not even notice a catch, but your printer may still struggle. The spool may get jammed if it becomes too tangled, or the extruder may pull the whole spool towards it.

In any of the scenarios above, the filament stops extruding, resulting in the failure of your print. When you notice even a slight entanglement, roll it down until it reaches the tangled length, and then roll it back carefully.

4. Not Using the Support Materials

Some models may require support materials during printing. Later on, you can remove the support materials from your final printed model.

While it is unnecessary to use support materials, checking the G-code preview in your slicer helps you decide whether you need any. The support material may consume extra material, but it can prevent your print from failing.

5. Wrong Orientation

A few 3D printing models must be printed in a different orientation than the actual 3D design. It may be beneficial to print the model upside down if the head in your design is too large compared to the lower part of the model. Printing such a model without changing orientation may lead to failure.

Therefore, change the alignment of your printed model depending on its design. But, it's something you'll learn with time.

6. Unnecessary Printer Upgrades

If you customize the 3D printer without knowing the essential design elements, your print quality may suffer.

Too many fans can affect the bed level, and too many loads on your 3D printer can create vibrations and stress that may drastically reduce your print quality. Always keep it simple and upgrade only when necessary. You should avoid making frequent updates.

7. Poor Filament Quality

The fact that certain models printed fine with one filament but failed with another may have caught your attention earlier. It is crucial to decide which type of filament to use when printing any model.

Related: Learn How to Recycle Failed 3D Prints

Do some research and use your expertise when choosing the filament before proceeding to the printing process. Trial and error will be your best friend to avoid this mistake, so don't get frustrated if your print fails for no apparent reason and try a different material.

8. Not Monitoring the Printing Process

3D printing takes time, and not everyone is patient enough to monitor the process that can take many hours.

Since most prints fail during the initial five to ten minutes, you should monitor it for the first few minutes, and then check it every 15 minutes to ensure there is no problem.

Monitoring the printing process after regular intervals prevent losing the printing material, avoids serious harm to the printer itself, and saves your time.

Avoid 3D Printing Mistakes to Have a Better Print

Knowing these printing mistakes will help you avoid making the same mistakes in the future. If you're just getting started, you might make some or all of these errors. Knowing them, however, will help you recognize the problem quickly.

Always seek technical help from an experienced professional if you don’t sort out the problem yourself.

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