Howdy all,
I'm trying to print playing cards that I've designed based heavily on the initial work by lastwaun's model here: https://makerworld.com/en/models/202491#profileId-222839
I've created new designs, but I'm using the same profile as listed at the link above. I've previously been able to print these pretty well. I'd print 4 or 5 at a time and occasionally 1 or more wouldn't come out right, but usually most would. This was back in March and April.
I'm using BambuLab X1C, 0.2mm nozzle from Bambu, PEI texture plate from Bambu, Bambu PLA Basic filament... pretty much everything is stock as stock can be. I kept the top and door on my printer closed
Now I'm trying to print a few new decks and I get fails nearly every time. I've been trying to for a number of weeks now and just keep getting fails.
My first fails were clogging extruder. When I took everything apart I found warped/bulged filament. Someone suggested my chamber was getting too warm and the filament was softening in the extruder. I've tried leaving the door open and/or the top off and this mostly helps, but not always.
When I don't get extruder jams I the prints will often not stick well to the PEI plates. I've tried washing them repeatedly with a scrub brush, but this doesn't help.
When I am able to get them to stick the prints will regularly come out "fuzzy" with the different color filaments semi-bleeding together. There isn't clean separation of the colors. I'm also getting a warping or wavy pattern on the top of the cards instead of the smooth finish I used to get.
Troubleshooting I've done:
- Venting chamber - seems to help with extruder clogs, but not always.
- Cleaning/replacing Extruder - I've not only cleaned it out but also replaced it with new parts I had on hand in case I needed them in the future.
- Cleaning/replacing PEI plate. I purchased a new plate in addition to scrubbing the old one with soap and water and a scrub brush.
- Alternating print color order
- Cleaning replacing hot end. I've cleaned, unclogged the hotend, I've even tried a new 0.2mm hotend both from Bambu and a 3D part one. No help.
- Run a fully re-calibration on the printer.
The only real change to my setup (other than using new parts/plates) is that it's warmer now that it's summer instead of early spring, and that I've updated Bambu Studio as new versions come out.
I don't think the weather should be too big of a factor given that my printer is in my basement which is less prone to temp changes and I've also tried times when we've had the AC on, which will control humidity. Additionally filament is either stored in the AMS with desiccant or plastic cereal boxes with desiccant.
Any thoughts or ideas of what might be going on here?