Frequently Asked Questions

However, because the 3D printer does not provide any feedback
about how much filament actually leaves the nozzle, it’s possible
that there may be less filament exiting the nozzle than what the
software expects (otherwise known as under-extrusion). If this
happens, you may start to notice gaps between adjacent extrusions
of each layer. The most reliable way to test whether or not your
printer is extruding enough filament is to print a simple 20mm tall
cube with at least 3 perimeter outlines. At the top of the cube,
check to see if the 3 perimeters are strongly bonded together or not.
If there are gaps between the 3 perimeters, then you are under-
extruding. If the 3 perimeters are touching and do not have any
gaps, then you are likely encountering a different issue. If you
determine that you are under-extruding, there are several possible
causes for this, which we have summarized below.
(1) Incorrect filament diameters
The first thing you want to verify is that the software knows
the filament diameter that you are using. You can find this setting
by clicking “Edit Process Settings” and going to the Other tab.
Check to make sure that this value matches the filament that you
purchased. You may even want to measure your filament
yourselves using a pair of calipers to make sure that you truly have
the correct diameter specified in the software. The most common
values for the filament diameter are 1.75mm and 2.85mm. Many
spools of filament also include the correct diameter on the
packaging.
(2) Increase the extrusion multiplier
If your filament diameter is correct, but you are still seeing