Frequently Asked Questions

frequently cyclical, meaning that the temperature will vary with a
sine wave pattern. As the temperature gets hotter, the plastic may
flow differently than when it is cooler. This will cause the layers
of the print to extrude differently, creating visible ridges on the
sides of your print. A properly tuned printer should be able to
maintain the extruder temperature within +/-2 degrees. During
your print, you can use Simplify3D’s machine control panel to
monitor the temperature of your extruder. If it is varying by more
than 2 degrees, you may need to recalibrate your PID controller.
Please consult your printer manufacturer for exact instructions on
how to do this.
(3) Mechanical issues
If you know that inconsistent extrusion and temperature
variation are not to blame, then there may be a mechanical issue
that is causing lines and ridges on the sides of your print. For
example, if the print bed wobbles or vibrates while printing, this
can cause the nozzle position to vary. This means that some layers
may be slightly thicker than others. These thicker layers will
produce ridges on the sides of your print. Another common issue
is a Z-axis threaded rod that is not being positioned properly. For
example, due to backlash issues or poor motor controller micro-
stepping settings. Even a small change in the bed position can
have a major impact on the quality of each layer that is printed.