1 Topic by jack.kleinman

  • jack.kleinman
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Topic: Filament coming out blotchy

I am having issues all of a sudden. I had to calibrate my printer when I first got it, then everything was printing fine (See: vase or stormtrooper helmet images). Then after my 4th 6 hour print, everything was coming out blotchy. I re-calibrated and re-calibrated my printer and after each successful calibration I would print something and it wouldn't come out looking anywhere near as good as before. The first layer always looks good, it's not until layers 2+ that the filament isn't of a consistent thickness (You can see how the filament is coming out in the Sample support image).

I have cleaned the extruder, the gears and the bed. I am using the default xyz printer software, have tried different setting each time and still nothing.

Has anyone had this issue, or any ideas?

Thanks

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Stormtrooper helmet prints.jpg
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2 Reply by jack.kleinman (edited by jack.kleinman 2014-09-08 05:26:51)

  • jack.kleinman
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Re: Filament coming out blotchy

Well i think I fixed it for anyone else having this issue.

I'm using a re-setter for the filament and was using version 1.1.J for the firmware. I downgraded the firmware to 1.1.G then after one calibration I had it up and printing again. Still not sure what the issue was, I read that version 1.1.J was causing the filament to come out slower which seemed to be the case, and J was a bitch to calibrate (40+ times) vs G only needing one to pass successfully.

Anyone wanting to revert to older firmware, here is all the versions:
voltivo.com/forum/davinci-software/28-xyz-software-repository

3 Reply by corycroteau350

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Re: Filament coming out blotchy

How did u reset the firmware?

4 Reply by jack.kleinman

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Re: Filament coming out blotchy

voltivo.com/forum/davinci-software/28-xyz-software-repository is a page with all the firmware versions.

1.) After you have the file of the firmware version you want, disconnect from the internet and open the xyz software.

2.) Click the about button (I think) to pull up a popup that lets you click Update Firmware.

3.) After you click Update Firmware it will try to connect to the online site, but since you aren't connected it will bring up a window to let you select a file from your local machine.

4.) Then select the firmware file you downloaded and click open. Make sure the printer is on before you start.

5 Reply by Double A

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Re: Filament coming out blotchy

I am having almost the identical problem; blotchy prints, especially on the first 2 layers.
Im using XYZ green filament and when loading, the extruded bit has some bubbles come out every so often.
When the first layer is printing, it is blotchy and intermittent, and seems to be pushing out too much filament.  Excess tends to build on the nozzle or get pushed by it to the edge of the print.

I upgraded from G to J when I got the printer and the white starter material worked fine.  Im also recently using a resetter, which I love so far.  Think its the resetter and version J clashing?  Ill have to try printing with my other filaments to compare before downgrading the firmware.

6 Reply by crocky

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Re: Filament coming out blotchy

I don't think it works with a mac, you have to be using windows to get that prompt... Don't ask how I know!

And I am running G now and the resetter is happy again smile

Bob

7 Reply by Double A

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Re: Filament coming out blotchy

Im trying to downgrade now.  I was able to download version G easily enough and disabled the internet, but when I hit Upgrade Firmware, I get "Oops!  Online service not available.  Please try again later."  No other options, the only thing to hit is 'ok'.  Enabling the internet and hitting Upgade, it says Im up to date.  Ive looked through the XYZware program for some other options and didnt see much.
I am running Windows 7 64bit.
Ill do some looking around to see if there are other ways of upgrading/downgrading firmware.

8 Reply by crocky

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Re: Filament coming out blotchy

Are you using a mac?

If not, with the internet disconnected it should come up with the prompt that will let you enter the path... Might need few tries...

Bob

9 Reply by Double A

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Re: Filament coming out blotchy

crocky wrote:

Are you using a mac?

If not, with the internet disconnected it should come up with the prompt that will let you enter the path... Might need few tries...


Nope, Im on a Windows 7 64bit PC.  I tried a bunch of times, even booting the printer, closing the program, etc.
Perhaps an older version of the software will help, if I can find it.  My current version of XYZware is v.1.1.31.7.

Until then Im going to try a print with a raft (yet to try it) and see if that helps with the print quality, especially getting past the first couple layers.

10 Reply by Double A

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Re: Filament coming out blotchy

I calibrated and did a print on a raft, the results were good.
The calibration must have fixed the squishing of the first 2 layers, but there is still some noticeable air bubbles, not so much blotching.  Worst comes to worst Ill continue to use the raft.