I have an X1-C and I’m unable to move forward with my current project because there are random seams appearing in very conspicuous locations on nearly every print. I don’t mean random like the “random” setting. They are neatly lined up, but they aren’t the seams that show in the slicer preview, which are tucked neatly into the corner. In fact, they do not show up at all in the preview.
If I do three identical models on the same plate, usually one of them will be good and the other two will have a seam appear, both in different locations. If I delete those two and clone the good one (even though they are all clones to begin with) the seams will show up again, but in different locations.
The only thing I can think of that may be useful to mention at this point is that all of my lower layers and infill are monotonic lines/grid, but the top layers are concentric. I don’t know why this would create any problems, but I’m putting it out there anyway.
This is my own design, created in Bambu Studio. It’s just a primitive cube that’s been stretched, flattened and has beveled edges.
4 wall loops, 3 top surface layers, mostly .2ish height, .42 width, silk PLA (but it happens with any filament). Again, the problem is on the top layers only. The bottom surface is perfectly clean.
Thanks for reading and for any insights you may have.
(This is my first post here… I hope I haven’t made any glaring mistakes.)
A picture doesn’t really helps us help you. There isn’t a lot to go buy here. This could be caused by many factors and without access to the actual model, it is very hard to diagnose. If you care to upload a copy of the offending 3MF, it will help us help you. Outside of that is pure guesswork.
So while we’re “guessing”. If you could show a screengrab of what the model looks like in the sliced window, that will say a lot about the design intent.
Some possible random thing that can be tried:
Simplify the model using the right-click simplify command and reduce the number of vertices. If the seam changes then that’s an indication that there model geometry may be facing a Moiré pattern born out of coincidental mathematical aberrations from the slicing algorithm.
Try changing the layer height. Again, to see if it has an affect.
Change the seam position under the quality menu.
Try out scarf joints although I highly doubt it will do anything it will rule out a geometry issue.
Experiment with change the wall layers, top surface and bottom surface.
Again, this is all random thrashing without a good working theory and without seeing how the model sliced or how the model was intended to look, it’s hard to help you. Also, silk is the worst filament to photograph to see what is happening. Have you tried to use a monochromatic color? That will show where the flaws are much more readily with less guesswork.
I’ve tried the simplify function, (as well as “fix”) but increased rather than decreased. I’ll try that next. Otherwise, have played with layer height, wall loops and various surface layer amounts…
OK. This is helpful. I am going to do a first print test with whatever I have in my P1 and see if I can reproduce the same results using your settings.
What I might suggest is to take any of the offending models and print it on its own plate at a 30 Degree angle. If the line changes then there may be a mechanical calibration on the belts that may require investigation.
These were all printed on PLA Cool Plate.
Coincidentally, just before checking back in here I started a print at a 45 degree angle. When finished, I’ll try 30 & let you know.
I appreciate your time in testing and responding. This is helpful.
Can you confirm which model was at fault or better yet. Upload and isolated model 3MF with a single plate. If we are to help you, its important to have a test file that reproduces exactly what you saw. Remember rule #1 of troubleshooting: Change only one variable at a time.
That’s what makes the problem so “random”. The results are never the same. If you look at the pic in my first post all three models have a line, but it’s in a different location on one of them. On plates containing multiple models, 2 of them may have the line appearing in a different spot on each and then no line at all on the third.
Sorry – I thought the 3MF file I sent was just one plate… didn’t realize there were multiples.
I did try everything you suggested, with seemingly unaffected results… until the most recent one, which is the first time the line made no appearance whatsoever. The only variable changed (yes, I remember, make one adjustment at a time (I realize the model itself is a variation, but up to this point it had been behaving exactly the same as all others)) was the rotation, which was 6°. No reason for choosing that number, other than it being the maximum permitted to remain within the boundaries of printable area. Is this enough to warrant further investigation of your possible belt adjustment theory?
EDIT: Never mind… it didn’t work with the original model.
This is an old thread but I have the same problem and I know what to call it: Top layer seam. I don’t know how to fix it. It’s the seam of the lines making up the concentric top surface pattern. UNFORTUNATELY seams on the top layer are not affected by the “Seam position” setting, nor by painted seam placement. I haven’t found a way to reliably control it.
This seems like a missing setting. It would really only apply to Concentric and Spiral, and other loop-based fill patterns. But it would make a big difference to the top finish on those, so I think the setting should be added.
Right, but it didn’t happen all the time & it was the randomness that was frustrating. Knowing that the desired results are possible, but not being able to achieve them reliably was wasting too much time and materials. Also, the fact that there were plenty of places where the seam could be totally hidden, but instead, it is placed right in a central & prominent location made it a totally absurd “WTF?” moment with no sign of an answer in sight. I had to move on at that point.
It’ been a while, but I seem to recall that an object would print fine initially with the seam hidden, but as soon as it was cloned to produce duplicates on one plate the seam position would change. This applied to clones that were used as the foundation for other, non-duplicate objects as well.
Sorry I can’t be of more help to you. I was finding other quirky, inconvenient little behavioral tendencies which seem like someone should have noticed and eliminated by now. I ordered a QIDI Max4 which I’m about to set up now. Hoping for more of a seamless experience this time around. LOL
