3D Printer Blobs: a mysterious problem you won't guess how to fix 🤔

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Have you ever experienced the frustrating issue of blobs appearing on your 3D prints? Well, it turns out that this mysterious problem can be caused by a few different factors. One culprit is the Power Loss Recovery feature, which can cause pauses in the printing process and result in low-quality prints. Another potential cause is wet filament or random seam positioning. The good news is that there are solutions to fix these issues, such as disabling Power Loss Recovery or making hardware modifications. Additionally, using Class 10 SD cards and high-quality USB cables can help mitigate the problem. So, if you’re tired of dealing with these pesky blobs on your prints, read on to learn more about how to fix them.

Imagine printing two identical objects with the same settings, only to find that one is covered in unsightly blobs. This is a common problem faced by many 3D printer enthusiasts, and the cause may not be what you expect. It turns out that the Power Loss Recovery feature, which is meant to be helpful, can actually lead to low-quality prints and blobs. This occurs because the feature constantly writes data to the SD card, causing pauses in the printing process. Additionally, wet filament and randomized seam positioning can also contribute to the issue. However, there are ways to fix these problems, including disabling Power Loss Recovery and investing in Class 10 SD cards and high-quality USB cables. So, if you’re tired of battling blobs on your prints, keep reading to discover the solutions that can help you achieve better quality results.

Table of Contents

The Problem of 3D Printer Blobs

If you’ve ever experienced blobs on your 3D prints, you may have wondered what causes them and how to fix the issue. Blobs can greatly affect the surface quality of your prints and can be frustrating to deal with. In this article, we will explore the specific problem of blobs caused by power loss recovery and delve into other potential causes such as wet filament and randomized seam positioning. We will also discuss various ways to fix the issue and provide resources where you can find help and support for troubleshooting.

Power Loss Recovery and Low-Quality Prints

One of the common culprits of blobs on 3D prints is power loss recovery. Power loss recovery is a feature found in most new 3D printers that allows the printer to resume the print job in the event of a power outage. While this feature can be convenient, it can also lead to low-quality prints and the appearance of blobs.

The issue arises from the way power loss recovery constantly writes data to the SD card during the printing process. Depending on the complexity of the model being printed, this constant writing of data can cause sudden stops in the printing process, resulting in blobs on the print. The pauses in the printing process due to power loss recovery can interrupt the smooth movements of the printer, leading to inconsistencies in the print quality.

The Specific Issue with Power Loss Recovery and Blobs

To better understand the specific issue with power loss recovery and blobs, it’s helpful to visualize the printing process. Imagine a printer printing in vase mode, where the nozzle should move in a continuous spiral without any stops or seams. However, if you observe the printing process closely, you may notice that the nozzle sometimes stops briefly and continues, leaving behind blobs of excess plastic.

These pauses in the printing process are caused by the printer reading commands from the SD card and getting coordinates to move the motors and print. The printer maintains a queue of movements to ensure a steady flow of instructions. However, when power loss recovery is enabled, the printer periodically saves the print job state to the SD card, creating checkpoints. While these checkpoints are essential for recovering from a power outage, they also cause interruptions in the printing process.

When the printer is busy writing a checkpoint to the SD card, the queue of movements doesn’t receive new instructions, leading to pauses in the printing process. During these pauses, the nozzle continues to ooze extra plastic, resulting in blobs on the print. This issue becomes more prominent when printing high-quality models with a higher number of movements, as the queue of movements is quickly exhausted.

Other Causes of Blobs: Wet Filament and Randomized Seam Positioning

While power loss recovery is a significant contributor to blobs on prints, it’s essential to consider other potential causes as well. Wet filament and randomized seam positioning can also lead to the appearance of blobs on 3D prints.

Wet filament refers to filament that has absorbed moisture from the environment. When such filament is used for printing, the moisture inside the filament can vaporize and cause bubbles in the nozzle, leading to imperfections on the print’s surface. However, blobs caused by wet filament typically appear randomly and not in a specific pattern.

Randomized seam positioning is a technique used to make the seams, or the points where each layer starts and ends, less noticeable on the print’s surface. By randomizing the seam’s position in every layer, the imperfections caused by seams are distributed more evenly throughout the print. However, this technique can also contribute to blobs, especially if there is a specific pattern of blobs present on the print.

Fixing the Issue

Now that we understand the various causes of blobs on 3D prints, let’s explore some methods to fix the issue.

Disabling Power Loss Recovery

One straightforward solution to address the problem of blobs caused by power loss recovery is to disable the feature altogether. By disabling power loss recovery, you eliminate the interruptions in the printing process caused by checkpoints being written to the SD card. This can result in smoother movements and fewer blobs on your prints.

The process of disabling power loss recovery varies depending on the make and model of your 3D printer. It may involve modifying the printer’s firmware settings or using specific GCODE commands to disable the feature. Refer to your printer’s documentation or seek online tutorials for step-by-step instructions on how to disable power loss recovery for your specific printer.

Hardware Modifications to Address the Problem

If you are comfortable making hardware modifications to your 3D printer, there are options available to mitigate the issue of blobs caused by power loss recovery while still retaining the feature. These modifications usually involve adding additional hardware, such as a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) battery backup, to provide a stable power source to the printer during power outages.

By connecting a UPS battery backup to your printer, you can ensure that the printer receives a continuous power supply even if there is a power outage. This eliminates the need for power loss recovery to kick in and potentially cause pauses in the printing process. Keep in mind that implementing hardware modifications may require advanced technical skills and can void warranties, so proceed with caution and seek assistance if needed.

Additional Causes of Blobs

While power loss recovery is a significant cause of blobs on prints, it’s worth mentioning two additional factors that can contribute to the issue: SD cards and OctoPrint.

SD Cards and OctoPrint

Using low-quality or unreliable SD cards can introduce inconsistencies and random blobs on your prints. If the SD card fails to read or write data correctly, it can disrupt the printing process and result in unexpected pauses or inconsistencies in the movements of the printer.

Similarly, using OctoPrint, a popular open-source software for controlling and monitoring 3D printers via a Raspberry Pi, can also lead to blobs on prints if not set up properly. If you experience blobs when using OctoPrint, the culprit could be a long or low-quality USB cable connecting the Raspberry Pi to your printer.

Mitigating Issues with Class 10 SD Cards and High-Quality USB Cables

To mitigate potential issues with SD cards, it is recommended to use Class 10 SD cards from reliable brands. Class 10 SD cards have faster read and write speeds, reducing the chances of data transfer errors and ensuring a smoother printing process. Investing in a high-quality USB cable with sufficient length to connect your Raspberry Pi to the printer can also help minimize interruptions and prevent blobs caused by OctoPrint.

Finding Help and Resources

If you encounter any issues with blobs on your 3D prints or need further assistance with troubleshooting, there are several resources available to help you.

How-To and Tutorial Videos for 3D Printing

Video platforms such as YouTube are rich sources of how-to and tutorial videos related to 3D printing. Many experienced 3D printing enthusiasts and experts share their knowledge and techniques through video tutorials, covering topics ranging from basic troubleshooting to advanced printing tips. By searching for keywords related to your specific issue, you can find videos that address the problem of blobs on prints and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix them.

Online Communities and Forums for Troubleshooting

Online communities and forums dedicated to 3D printing are excellent places to seek help and advice from fellow enthusiasts and experts. These platforms allow you to describe your specific issue, share pictures or videos of the problem, and receive guidance from experienced community members. By participating in these communities, you can tap into a wealth of knowledge and get personalized assistance for fixing the problem of blobs on your prints.

Conclusion

Blobs on 3D prints can be a frustrating issue to deal with, affecting the overall surface quality and aesthetics of your prints. Understanding the various causes of blobs, such as power loss recovery, wet filament, randomized seam positioning, and SD cards/OctoPrint, is crucial in troubleshooting and finding appropriate solutions.

By disabling power loss recovery, making hardware modifications, using high-quality SD cards, and ensuring proper setup of OctoPrint, you can minimize the occurrence of blobs on your prints. Additionally, relying on how-to videos and online communities for help and resources can further assist you in resolving any issues you encounter.

Remember, 3D printing is a continuous learning process, and with patience and persistence, you can overcome challenges and create high-quality prints that showcase your creativity and skill.

Did you know that your 3D Printer could be producing low-quality prints due to a feature called “Power Loss Recovery”? It may sound surprising, but this feature, which constantly writes data to the SD-Card to resume printing after a power outage, can actually cause sudden stops and affect the smooth movements needed for good surface quality. So, how can you fix this issue?

The solution is simple: you just need to disable or enable the “Power Loss Recovery” feature on your printer. To help you with this, I’ve provided instructions and GCODE files for download on this page: Click here to access the instructions and files.

If you prefer a quick overview, you can also check out this short clip on YouTube: Click here to watch the clip.

Feel free to share this information with others who might be experiencing the same problem.

Also, if you’d like more detailed videos on related topics, I recommend checking out the following channels:

CNC Kitchen – They have a video titled “(How) I finally got rid of these blobs!”
Chris’s Basement – They discuss the topic of “Power Loss Recovery” and the BTT UPS Module.

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