Five 3D Printing Fails and How to Avoid Them

When Good Prints Go Bad

Let’s face it. Nothing crushes your designer spirit faster than watching your 3D print turn into a spaghetti monster halfway through. Whether you’re printing a prototype, a bracket, or a custom part, 3D printing fails are frustrating, time-consuming, and sometimes downright hilarious (in a cry-a-little kind of way). But most fails aren’t random. They’re avoidable with the right setup, materials, and a little know-how.

Bed Adhesion: The Foundation of Success

One of the most common culprits is poor bed adhesion. If your print peels up at the edges or decides to take a walk mid-job, your bed wasn’t level or clean enough. Think of it like trying to build a house on a trampoline. It’s just not going to end well. Use a properly leveled bed, clean it with isopropyl alcohol, and consider adhesives like glue sticks or specialized bed sprays. Bonus dad tip: Don’t use your kid’s glue stick unless you want to explain to their teacher why homework smells like ABS.

Temperature Settings Matter

Another cause of fails is incorrect temperature settings. Each filament has its own melting personality. Some are chill like PLA, while others, like ABS, are basically drama queens that warp at the first sign of a draft. Print too cold and your layers won’t stick. Too hot and you’ll get blobs, stringing, or worse, a nozzle clog that turns your printer into a very expensive desk ornament. Always check manufacturer recommendations and run a quick temperature tower test when using new materials.

Surface Texture and Speed

Rough or uneven texture on the surface of a 3D print is usually the result of printing too fast, which doesn’t give the filament enough time to cool and settle between layers. When the extruder moves quickly, it can cause vibrations or slight inaccuracies in layer placement, leading to a bumpy or fuzzy finish. Other culprits include inconsistent filament flow, excessive extrusion, or poor cooling. If you're seeing rough surfaces, try slowing down your print speed, checking for proper filament diameter settings, and ensuring your cooling fan is running efficiently. Smooth prints are a game of patience and precision.

Slicer Settings Gone Wrong

Next up is bad slicer settings. Your slicer software is the translator between your 3D model and the printer’s actual movements. Mess with your layer height, infill, or wall settings too much and suddenly your sturdy part prints like a noodle. When in doubt, stick with proven presets and only tweak one setting at a time. It's like seasoning chili. Add everything at once and you might win awards or start a fire. Print responsibly.

Keep Your Hardware Happy

Don’t overlook hardware issues either. A loose belt, a wobbly frame, or even a clogged nozzle can cause print shifts, skipped layers, or surface blobs. Regular maintenance is key. Tighten your belts, check your screws, and clean your nozzle. If your printer sounds like it’s tap dancing during a job, take that as a sign it needs more than just emotional support.

How We Print with Confidence

At Vision Tech, we don’t just use 3D printing to make cool stuff. We make sure it works. Whether we’re prototyping a complex part or integrating printed elements into larger metal assemblies, we’ve learned how to dodge the classic fails and build parts that perform.

Got a part that keeps failing? Bring it to us. We’ll troubleshoot it with precision.

www.vision-tech.us

CONTACT VISION TECH