Filament Issue ?

[Nifty]

I started having a weird problem with my prints. It was like enough filament wasn't being extruded and/or layers weren't adhering properly. Here's a sample print:

I've tried different files and different settings. I figured something's either wrong with the filament or the printer.

Suggestions were:

1. Make sure filament diameter was set properly (it is 1.75)
2. Check for nozzle clog (did cold pull / atomic pull and all seemed fine)
3. Swap out / test a different filament.

Here's a video showing the filament extruding... seems like there isn't a clog or any weird humidity bubbling, etc.

Well, after swapping out the filament (Zyltech white PLA) for another brand, the problem went away.

I'm not sure if I got a bad roll or if it somehow "went bad".

So, the good news is that it isn't a printer, head, etc. problem. The bad news is that I have an almost completely full roll of Zyltech filament that I guess I have to trash

Even worse... I have like 10 other rolls from the same order, so I'm hoping I just left this one exposed to the elements too long and the other rolls are fine.

 

[stratman]

On the chance that the filament has sucked up too much humidity, is it possible to dry out the roll, like put in a zip lock back with desiccants or rice?

The video of your sample print reminds me of a wafer cookie my mother used to buy.

 

[Nifty]

is it possible to dry out the roll, like put in a zip lock back with desiccants or rice?

I don't think either would pull enough moisture, but some people are suggesting putting it in the oven at a low temp or even using a food dehydrator (which I think I might have somewhere).

I guess I could try it, but I'm not 100% convinced that's the problem. I emailed Zyltech to see if they have any ideas / suggestions. I'm tempted to open up another roll to give it a test.

 

[Redbrickman]

I've read in several groups that filament has cuased a few problems but I have never used it.

 

[The Hat]

I got the same or similar problem when using ABS, but that was caused by moisture in the filament I’m reliably told, I also get it using PLA when I ran the extruder to slowly at 95%.

But once I increased the extruder speed and lowered the print speed it cleared up that issue for me, and if it ain’t broke then don’t fiddle with it, but unfortunately, I’m a slow learner...

P.S. I got 2 rolls of filament that I now keep in the house and when the air gets a bit drier I will try using it again... (ABS and PETG)

 

[Nifty]

I have a food dehydrator that I could use to test the humidity theory... but I'm just not convinced that's the problem, especially since there are not "pops and hisses" coming from the filament as it comes out the nozzle.

Also, I wonder how reliable the dehydrator process is with fixing humidity in filament. I guess I could start a test and post results here.

 

[Nifty]

Ok guys, I think it's totally a moisture problem!

I took a small empty spool, loaded it with some filament. Put it in my modified filament dehydrator, with a container of desiccant, and let it cook for about 2 hours at 115 F. I pulled it out once all the desiccant had color-changed.

I loaded it back into my printer and ran a print of this toothpaste squeezer: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:867811

Left is the white that wasn't working. Middle is black that worked great. Right is dried version of the white.

It looks like it's still not 100%, but maybe longer drying will do the trick!

 

[Redbrickman]

I'm pretty sure it's a bad batch of filament....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRh-cTCDOWA&feature=youtu.be

 

[Nifty]

I was concerned about that too, but since it started out fine when I first used it a month ago, and got bad, then got better after drying, I don't think it's necessarily a problem with the filament out of the bag... but I'm still doing some testing.

 

[Redbrickman]

Probably been humidity then. I have seen a lot of posts on FB though about the same filament, so maybe whatever their magic mix is perhaps it is more prone to absorption of moisture than some other PLA.