A1 mini extrusion inconsistency - hardware defect or wrong slicing?

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  • Detailed description of the problem
  • Printer model used
  • Slicer settings used
  • Type of filament used
  • Photos that clearly show the problem
  • .3mf file (if the file can be shared)
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The problem is a high inconsistency of the top layer of any print with any filament on my A1 mini.

Attached the photo of a simple flat heart printed using the same eSUN PLA+ Red filament on A1 mini and on X1C. The filament is dry (SUNLU S2 Dryer shows 20%), so the quality of print on X1C is good (right heart). The left heart is printed on A1 mini with top surface pattern Hilbert Curve, as it better shows the inconsistency on the photo.

Print settings - 0.16mm Optimal, Print speed internal/top 100-150/30-50, top acceleration 300-500, filament parameters (flow ratio, temperatures etc. ) are the same (no way to calibrate on A1M with this quality of printing).

It looks like the extrusion on A1 mini is highly inconsistent. Is it a hardware or slicer issue and how to fix it? The warranty for A1M is over, not sure what kind of support could be provided by BambuLab… Please help!

is the exact same spool on the A1 mini from the X1C?

Yes, exactly the same spool. Printed a number of samples with different flow ratio on A1M, got the one which has more clear photo of the defect then printed the same model with the same filament settings on X1С. The spool is dry, 20% on SUNLU S2. Exactly the same issue with any other PLA (eSUN, BambuLab, Polymaker etc.), just this Red sample shows the defect much clear (then White/Black/Gray/etc.)