Strange extrusion

[jondubinsac]

This isn't really my "first" blob but what I am getting now is very "blobby". My printer - Printrbot Plus V2.1 was working great until my PC died. After getting my new PC (HP Spectre 360 convertible laptop, windows 10, 16g ram, Intel i7) and installing Repetier, the machine will only print a strange overextruded, wide globby - can't even describe...see photo.

We have reviewed all the settings and everything looks reasonable.

Any thoughts on what is going on here would be greatly appreciated.

[RetireeJay]

If the printer didn't change, then it really must be in your settings somewhere.

Are you using the embedded Slic3r or Cura Engine in Repetier, or are you slicing separately? If you are using Slic3r, you can find text files with all of your settings under C:/Users/[yourname]/AppData/Roaming/Slic3r. There are three subdirectories there for Print, Filament, and Printer. Each subdirectory may have several files of settings. Find the files you are actually using (they will be identified in Repetier if you are using it to call Slic3r), open them in notepad, and copy-and-paste the contents into a post here. Preferably, use the "Code" button above the forum's editing box to "contain" each of these files (separately). Then we can examine your settings and see if something looks way off.

[jondubinsac]

Thanks Jay...What I forgot to mention is that the filament is being fed into the extruder extremely fast. You would think that is a simple parameter to fix.

Using Slicer3 within Repetier...

Here are my settings:

Print settings:

# generated by Slic3r 1.2.9 on Fri Jul 8 16:49:58 2016
avoid_crossing_perimeters = 0
bottom_solid_layers = 3
bridge_acceleration = 0
bridge_flow_ratio = 1
bridge_speed = 60
brim_width = 0
complete_objects = 0
default_acceleration = 0
dont_support_bridges = 1
external_fill_pattern = rectilinear
external_perimeter_extrusion_width = 0
external_perimeter_speed = 50%
external_perimeters_first = 0
extra_perimeters = 1
extruder_clearance_height = 20
extruder_clearance_radius = 20
extrusion_width = 0
fill_angle = 45
fill_density = 20%
fill_pattern = honeycomb
first_layer_acceleration = 0
first_layer_extrusion_width = 200%
first_layer_height = 1.75
first_layer_speed = 30
gap_fill_speed = 20
gcode_comments = 0
infill_acceleration = 0
infill_every_layers = 1
infill_extruder = 1
infill_extrusion_width = 0
infill_first = 0
infill_only_where_needed = 0
infill_overlap = 15%
infill_speed = 80
interface_shells = 0
layer_height = 1.65
max_print_speed = 80
max_volumetric_speed = 0
min_skirt_length = 0
notes =
only_retract_when_crossing_perimeters = 1
ooze_prevention = 0
output_filename_format = [input_filename_base].gcode
overhangs = 1
perimeter_acceleration = 0
perimeter_extruder = 1
perimeter_extrusion_width = 0
perimeter_speed = 60
perimeters = 3
post_process =
raft_layers = 0
resolution = 0
seam_position = aligned
skirt_distance = 6
skirt_height = 1
skirts = 1
small_perimeter_speed = 15
solid_infill_below_area = 70
solid_infill_every_layers = 0
solid_infill_extruder = 1
solid_infill_extrusion_width = 0
solid_infill_speed = 20
spiral_vase = 0
standby_temperature_delta = -5
support_material = 0
support_material_angle = 0
support_material_contact_distance = 0.2
support_material_enforce_layers = 0
support_material_extruder = 1
support_material_extrusion_width = 0
support_material_interface_extruder = 1
support_material_interface_layers = 3
support_material_interface_spacing = 0
support_material_interface_speed = 100%
support_material_pattern = pillars
support_material_spacing = 2.5
support_material_speed = 60
support_material_threshold = 0
thin_walls = 1
threads = 2
top_infill_extrusion_width = 0
top_solid_infill_speed = 15
top_solid_layers = 3
travel_speed = 130
xy_size_compensation = 0


Filament:

# generated by Slic3r 1.2.9 on Fri Jul 8 16:49:31 2016
bed_temperature = 70
bridge_fan_speed = 100
cooling = 1
disable_fan_first_layers = 3
extrusion_multiplier = 1
fan_always_on = 0
fan_below_layer_time = 60
filament_colour = #FFFFFF
filament_diameter = 1.7
first_layer_bed_temperature = 75
first_layer_temperature = 201
max_fan_speed = 100
min_fan_speed = 35
min_print_speed = 10
slowdown_below_layer_time = 5
temperature = 196

Printer:

# generated by Slic3r 1.2.9 on Sat Jul 2 12:47:23 2016
bed_shape = 0x0,200x0,200x200,0x200
before_layer_gcode =
end_gcode = M104 S0 ; turn off temperature\nG28 X0 ; home X axis\nM84 ; disable motors\n
extruder_offset = 0x0
gcode_flavor = reprap
layer_gcode =
nozzle_diameter = 1.75
octoprint_apikey =
octoprint_host =
pressure_advance = 0
retract_before_travel = 2
retract_layer_change = 0
retract_length = 2
retract_length_toolchange = 10
retract_lift = 0
retract_restart_extra = 0
retract_restart_extra_toolchange = 0
retract_speed = 40
start_gcode = G28 ; home all axes\nG1 Z5 F5000 ; lift nozzle\n
toolchange_gcode =
use_firmware_retraction = 0
use_relative_e_distances = 0
use_volumetric_e = 0
vibration_limit = 0
wipe = 0
z_offset = 0

[RetireeJay]

It looks like your nozzle diameter and layer height are off. The stock nozzle is 0.4mm, not 1.75mm, and the layer height should normally be in the range of 0.2 to 0.8 times the nozzle diameter (typical "easy" setting is close to 0.5 - 0.6 times nozzle diameter). If you have the stock nozzle, try a layer height of 0.2mm.

The "extremely fast" feed rate is probably due to the unrealistic nozzle diameter and layer height. Although it wouldn't hurt for you to check your E steps per mm calibration (search the forum for Extruder calibration - there are plenty of posts about it).

[jondubinsac]

Jay,

I made the adjustments you suggested but it did not help. I kept going through the parameters and everything looked right but was still getting horrible prints.

Finally, in frustration, I uninstalled the latest version of Repetier from my brand new HP laptop. I then booted Repetier from an old backup I had. The parameters all look the same but "voila" - my printer is working again! I am printing, right now, what looks to be the most beautiful print I have ever done! It is running off Repetier V1.0.6. Repetier 1.6.2 is the current version.

I have had to do this with several applications since I bought my new Win 10 PC.

Go figure!

Jonathan

PS Thanks for your help.

[RetireeJay]

Wow, that's really weird! One more reason not to "upgrade" to W-10.

[Mooselake]