I encountered an first layer trouble when printing another multiboard tile using a new roll of filament (Bambu PETG HF). Printing on my P1S, on the default textured print bed. I’ve done quite a few tiles already without issue. I used a nearly identical model to the previous prints, I used the same slicer settings, and I cleaned the print bed with IPA. The only thing different is that I switched to a new roll of filament.
When I started the print, I noticed that some parts of layer 1 clumped up. I cancelled the print, cleaned the print bed with warm water and dish soap, then tried again. Same issue: layer 1 clumped up at a few points, leading to increasing problems until I cancelled the print at layer 3. These images are attached.
My best guess is first layer adhesion issues, or moisture content in the filament. The weird thing is that I cleaned the plate and opened a brand new roll of filament, so both factors shouldn’t be the issue…right?
Any help would be great! This is the first issue I’ve had since I got the printer 10 days ago (and have since kept busy 24/7 )
I just assumed that filament delivered straight from the factory would be properly dried. I’ll guess I’ll wait to use the filament until my filament dryer is delivered later this week.
Do you think that the issues seen above are the result of moisture content? or something else?
Unless it was from exactly the same manufactured batch that you used previously,it’s conceivable there might be just enough of a difference in the ingredients or ratios of ingredients, or even unintended contaminants. The people manufacturing filament on the night shift are far from being Rhodes Scholars, so that can be yet another source of noise in the filament you receive.
While you wait for your filament dryer to arrive, you could try increasing your print temperature and heated bed temperature to improve the print adhesion. You don’t need perfection. Just barely good enough is good enough.
If you look into how filament is made you will see that generally it is pulled through a water bath after being extruded to cool it so it can be spooled. I haven’t heard of any manufacturing that claims to dry filament after extruding and before packaging.
Poor adhesion in only small areas of the plate is often caused by fingerprints. IPA dissolves oils from fingerprints, but they can be re-deposited on the plate when the alcohol evaporates. Dish detergent is a more effective cleaner as it surrounds the oil molecules so they can be easily rinsed away with water. For a textured plate a small nylon brush (old toothbrush or vegetable brush) or a clean terrycloth washcloth will help clean out the crevices. Dry using a clean towel without fabric softener.
FWIW, I’ve noticed that “high speed” and “high flow” filament formulations are more hygroscopic than their pure-play unmodified versions. So, for instance, ordinary PLA isn’t all that hygroscopic, but all the high speed versions that I’ve tried definitely are. And, as Ikraus just mentioned, the same for HS and HF PETG. Maybe there are exceptions, but I’ve not run across any.
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