Too many times when printing, something will go wrong. Errors arise from all sorts of things from mechanical hiccups in the printer to mistakes in the slicing process. Determining where the problem occurs is the key to solving it and moving forward with your print. While trying to isolate the problem, be sure to well document your progress — on paper or in your head — so you can both learn from the situation and save time if you end up asking for help. 

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To begin let's looks at the first step: Determining if your problem falls into one of the following two groups

 

FILE      or      MECHANICAL

 

Almost every single problem that can occur during the 3D printing process will fall under these two groupings. Mechanical errors are the more frustrating of the two, as they typically require work to be done on the printer. Luckily, assuming proper care is given to the printers, mechanical errors do not arise that often. 

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The other category is file related errors, which most often take place during the slicing procedure. These are by far the most common issue faced and the easiest to overlook. This is why it is always a good idea to have someone else take a look at your slicing settings before you go to print, just like proofreading an English paper.

 

Another helpful tip is to remember that most issues can be fixed by slowing down the print speed. 30 m/s should suffice in most scenarios, but if the print still is not working, it is recommended to drop the speed all the way down to 15 m/s (remember this will significantly increase the time it will take for your print to complete).

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Remember to only change one variable at a time when trying to isolate the problem, and use these tips to make your life easier. Don't be afraid to ask for help and know that printing is one of the most finicky processes and that everyone has issues. 

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