Not constant top layer

Bambu Lab A1 Series Troubleshooting
1

I have a problem with my Bambu A1.
The top layer is partially matt which is unexpected - it should be shiny.
My printer settings:

  • Slicer: OrcaSlicer
  • Filament: DevilDesign PLA Black
  • Speed: perimeters and top layer 75mm/s
  • Temp: 230-235degree, I tried 245degree but the layer was not too much better
  • Flow rate: 0.98
  • Extrusion width: top layer and external perimeter 0.42
  • Flow rate for the top layer: 0.9
  • Infill overlap: 5%
  • PA calibration: Auto - turned on before each print
  • Top layers: 4

I noticed improvement after decreasing the top layer flow rate to 0.9 and infill overlap to 5%. I don’t think so the top layer flow rate can be that low like 0.9. In the beginning, the whole layer was matt after changes it was partially matt.
Can somebody help what’s wrong with my printer/settings?
I checked on the 'Preview" tab the layer time, speed, flow rate etc. and each thing is constant
As I understood if with a flow rate 0.98 two perimeters has 0.87mm there top layer should come out perfect without any decreasing the top layer flow rate but it’s not perfect in my case.
Perimeters with the same speed are shiny but solid infill not

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2

Hi,

if you change Top layer to 5, is it better ?

3

I tried with 5 top layers and not better. Still is matt I tried different flows for the top layer:

  • Flow rate for the top layer: 1.0

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Not too much difference

4

I assume that on the other side, you have an inlay. The slicer tries to put the number of layers above the inlay. So you either reduce the depth of the inlay, or reduce the number of top layers … or a mix of the 2. Increasing the number of top layers is not the solution in your case, unless you increase the thickness of your part.

5

Here is my project file from OrcaSlicer. I’m using almost default Bambu A1 settings. I have a problem with the top layer from the beginning of my survey with Bambulab A1.
It’s weird the perimeters are glossy despite they are printing at the same speed and temperature as the top infill.

6

Nobody has an idea what’s wrong?

7

It seems that upper layers are missing. In the slicer, do you see every layer ?

8

Yes I see the top layer and each of 5 top layers (I changed the slicer to BambuStudio because support is not able to help me with OrcaSlicer)

layers
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I restored default settings in BambuStudio to “0.20mm Standard @BBL A1” and “Filament: Generic PLA”. Only what I changes in this settings is:

9

I had to decrease the flow rate to 0.925 to get a shiny top layer. Im wondering if its something wrong with my extruder because I tested on two colors and both need the same flow rate to get the acceptable top layer, I measured the filament diameter in few places and got 1,75-1,77mm but mainly 1.75mm.

With that flow rate, there are a lot of small holes in the place where the infill is connected with perimeters. So let’s start resolving another problem with the printer for 500€ -.-

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10

I printed the test cube with this flow rate(0,925 - the top layer with this flow rate looks almost good) in spiral vase mode and measured the perimeter thickness
should be 0,42mm I got 0,38mm
I printed the test cube with this flow rate(0,925 - the top layer with this flow rate looks almost good) with two perimeters and measured
should be 0,87mm(internal perimeter 0,45mm, external perimeter 0,42mm) I got 0,76mm.

The flow rate to get a shiny top wall without artifacts 0.925 is ok (each higher value gives me artifacts or a matte surface) but then the perimeter thickness is a horribly inaccurate