Good Practices
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Luckily as 3D printers have advanced over the past few years, the amount of work required on your end has decreased drastically. That said – there are still a few good practices that you can perform periodically to make sure you are continually having consistent, clean prints.
Advancements in 3D printing have reduced the amount of manual intervention required, but maintaining a clean workspace remains essential for consistent and high-quality results. A cluttered area can quickly spiral into a disorganized mess, complicating the printing process and potentially damaging equipment.
Loose filament strands and scattered debris can interfere with printer mechanics or be blown onto active prints by cooling fans. Regularly disposing of excess materials and keeping the build area tidy helps prevent print failures and hardware malfunctions.
The build plate should also be maintained regularly. While it may not need cleaning after every print, the optimal frequency depends on the type of build plate and the adhesion method being used. Cleaning the plate every few prints can help ensure consistent first-layer adhesion. Tools like air compressors are useful for removing dust and debris without disassembling components.
While modern printers often have readily available replacement components, especially from manufacturers like Bambu Lab, users of custom-built machines like Vorons or printers with 3D-printed parts should still prepare by printing spares ahead of time. This is especially critical when relying on a single machine.
Replacement part files are often provided by manufacturers or found on community repositories like Thingiverse or Printables. Keeping extras on hand prevents downtime and frustration if a structural or functional component fails unexpectedly.
Even for proprietary systems, some replacement and upgrade parts (e.g., feet, covers, AMS components) are often available through communities like MakerWorld.com.
Modern printers are designed for speed, but reducing print speed can help solve a variety of issues. Slower speeds reduce stress on mechanical components, improve print consistency, and help identify other potential issues during troubleshooting.
Material properties and hotend capabilities play a major role in determining appropriate print speeds. Achieving proper material viscosity is essential for clean extrusion. Faster printing often requires higher temperatures to maintain proper flow, particularly with machines capable of high-speed output.
High-flow hotends, such as those from E3D, Slice Engineering, Phaetus, or others improve printing speed by increasing volumetric flow. Certain materials, like are also optimized for high-speed extrusion.
Attempting to print demanding materials like TPU at high flow rates on a stock printer is unlikely to succeed without proper calibration. Slower speeds make diagnosis easier and reduce the likelihood of under-extrusion and layer misalignment.
Modern slicers often include max volumetric speed settings to help regulate these parameters. Adjusting these values can be key when troubleshooting inconsistent results.
This is not as important anymore with slicers that save in the 3MF format, but you will still want to save slicer profiles whenever you make tweaks that you think you will need to reference again in a future print. The same is true when you save G-code or 3MF files. While you can often just send a print directly to the printer via WiFi – it would still be smart to save a copy to your computer hard drive in case you need to reference it in the future.
The naming you give to these files and profiles is very important – you need to follow the same formatting so that you can easily reference past files. Don’t call your sliced file “Print_5” or “Final_02”, you will have no ability to reference them later.
It's wise to save profiles so you can revisit ones that have proven successful in the past. This practice can save significant time when printing a new material you've previously succeeded with. Additionally, it aids in identifying whether an issue is related to slicing, mechanics, or materials, as your prior settings have been effective.
Luckily with 3MF files you actually can reference the profile by opening said 3MF file, so it is nice to have this added option today. Just make sure your naming is in a manner you know what you are looking at.
Despite improvements in slicer software and the widespread use of 3MF files, saving slicer profiles and G-code revisions is still highly recommended. Archiving specific settings allows for quick reference in future projects or troubleshooting.
Well-labeled files allow users to easily identify configurations that worked well in the past, helping determine whether issues stem from slicing, hardware, or materials.
3MF files include embedded slicer settings, offering another layer of reference when diagnosing problems or replicating successful prints.
Filament, particularly hygroscopic materials like nylon or PVA, must be stored correctly to prevent moisture absorption. Even mildly damp filament can cause extrusion issues, affecting print quality.
Filament should be kept in a low-humidity, dark, temperature-stable environment. In humid climates, moisture protection becomes even more critical, especially when ambient humidity exceeds 70%.
One surefire way to tell if your filament has absorbed too much moisture is if you ever hear any "popping" or "cracking" noises while extruding.
Generally speaking, materials like PLA are far less suceptible to being too wet - but technically speaking any material can absorb too much moisture if left out in a humid climate for too long.
Although modern printers now feature excellent Z-height calibration and auto-leveling, verifying the first layer before leaving a print unattended remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent failure.
A poorly adhered first layer is still the most common reason for failed prints. If the nozzle is too close to the bed, it may cause damage; too far, and the print may not adhere properly, leading to wasted time and materials.
Even with accurate calibration systems, no printer is infallible. Observing the first few layers ensures the print is on track and avoids the frustration of coming back to a failed print several hours later.
Many print issues can be traced back to worn or damaged nozzles. Brass nozzles, in particular, degrade quickly and should not be used with abrasive materials.
Upgrading to a hardened steel nozzle significantly increases lifespan and expands material compatibility. Options like E3D’s ObXidian™ HotEnd, designed for Bambu Lab machines, offer both high flow and wear resistance.
Only buy nozzles from trusted manufacturers, as poorly machined nozzles with loose tolerances can negatively affect print quality. Brands such as E3D, Slice Engineering, and MicroSwiss maintain high manufacturing standards.
If issues persist despite checking all other variables, nozzle wear is a likely cause and should be addressed before further troubleshooting.
3D printing can be a rewarding but occasionally frustrating endeavor. Calibration and print failures—especially with long or intricate jobs—are common, particularly when using new machines or materials.
Persistence and methodical troubleshooting are key. Most problems have identifiable causes and solutions. Maintaining a calm, step-by-step approach will help reduce frustration and improve long-term success.
Vacuum-sealed storage with desiccants is the minimum requirement. More advanced solutions, such as the system from Polymaker, combine drying and storage in a single unit. DIY alternatives can be just as effective if airtight containers and silica packets are used.