Layer Separation (Page 1 of 2)

What color filament?

Do you mean the first layer isn't sticking?

Do you have an enclosure?  Layer separation can be caused by the ambient temp. being too low.

If you could post some pictures of what the problem looks like it would help immensely for troubleshooting and guiding you to the correct settings

You may actually be running it too hot. With the Solidoodle I've found best layer adhesion with most ABS filaments I've tried to be at about 200 - 205C

The image button allows photos hosted elsewhere to be displayed, or you can attach a file. I think you need to have a higher post count first.

NOw I'm getting some temp error saying to use M999 to restart. What the heck does that mean?

M999 means it has lost communication with the the thermistor.   Maybe a bad connector or a broken wire.

That's the issue 99.9% of the time.

So it prints at 210 without errors but the layers still don't seem to be melting together well.

Back off on the temps; a LOT.  You're never going to see the outside of the extruder reach the reported temps; because the OUTSIDE doesn't ever get that hot.  Additionally; where the solidoodle's thermistor is located; actually reports temps 15-30 degree's (c) cooler than actual.  By trying to ramp up to 245 you were actually (trying) to reach 260-275 which is well outside the safe zone for this hotend.

EDIT:  The above is kind of confusing, let me try again.....

Because of the extruder temp sensor's location, setting it to 200 degree's C, actually means you are melting the filament at ~215-230 C.  If you set it to 245, then you are actually (trying) to get it to 260-275, which is above the failure zone of the extruder.  I can't find a source at the moment but I seem to recall hearing that the stock extruder will begin to fail at ~255-260 C; so it's possible that damage has already been done.

(End edit)

When you see suggested temps on other sites (or from the manufacturer you got the filament from); take off 30 degrees and use that as a starting point.  I do my ABS printing at ~195 (glass bed @ 95; full enclosure).  Last night I did a 9 hour print at those settings without a problem.

Go through the following links for how to properly calibrate your machine.  Some of them repeat information; but you should read them all as there is a lot of information that will help you understand what causes problems and how to fix them.  Without knowing how well your machine is currently calibrated; and without pictures; it could be your extruder steps, your z-steps, extrusion multiplier, filament settings in slic3r (or whatever slicing program you use); or any other of a half dozen things.

http://blog.mcmelectronics.com/post/3D- … e_Sj5vD-Uk
http://wiki.solidoodle.com/solidoodle-1
http://reprap.org/wiki/Calibration
http://www.soliwiki.com/Main_Page#Calibrations

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