anet a8 problems.

[blinkybill]

hello everyone, a 3d noob here.

i got a new anet a8 and trying to print i got a very bad result.

i used cura with 0.1 mm layer height. and reprap as gcode flavor. everything else i left as default.

you can see in the image the results are very bad, but only on the Z axis.

the x and y axis are pretty good.

[3DFlip]

Hi, Maybe you have some wobble at z axis. Try to stabilize the z steppers by printing some guides for the metal bars (wich turns when stepping).

[gikam]

the image is not clear enough.

what material do you use?

[Mavyre]

Hello there, my first print with the Anet A8 was just perfect. For your problem, I think we will need some more details. What material are you using? The last time I had such a problem was the filament diameter not correctly setup in Cura.

[Nekronomekron]

Hi,

This could be because of several reasons. I would do the following checklist:

Check that the Z rods are fixed in the holes in the top of the Anet, but should not lie on the stepper driver axis. The couplers of the Z rod should flex a bit if you press the on the stepper motors.

Check all belts if they are really tight. They must be REALLY thight so there is no play.

Check your temperatures. I print PLA with 195-200 degree and PETG with 220-230 degree (depending on brand and color).

Check print speed. Start a little slower, you can always increase the speed in later prints. Start with 20mm/s.

And also, here is a very helpful troubleshooting guide for all mistakes everybody will do at some day ;)…

https://all3dp.com/1/common-3d-printing-problems-troubleshooting-3d-printer-issues/

I hope this will improve your prints.

[Nekronomekron]

Here is another link for the correct Z coupler installation: https://3dprint.wiki/reprap/anet/a8/coupler

[Mavyre]

And turn down speed can help a lot too.

[blinkybill]

thank you for the reply

i left the default 60/120 speed.

what speed should i try?

[blinkybill]

PLA at 200 degree

[blinkybill]

thank you i will try these and report back.

i also had a problem that the extruder would stop heating mid print.

but i fixed that by crimping the coupling realy hard.

i think that was also part of the problem.

[Nekronomekron]

Unfortunately the stock Anet needs several improvements. Hint: also check the heatbed connector, this will also break at some time.

About your speed question: Start printing with 20mm/s for perimeter, walls and infill. The stock Anet is defintely NOT an high speed printer. 20mm/s is really slow, but this way you can prove that speed is not the problem and eliminate all other problems. After that you can increase speed by 5mm/s for infill for example and experiment with different speeds. I added a bowden system to my Anet to be able to print reliable (!) at higher speeds.

[gikam]

try 40 mm/s

also check the diameter setting

[Mavyre]

I only had to reduce the first layer speed. Everything else at 60mm/s is very good on Stock Anet. It seems to depend many non-understandable factors! I need to reduce the speed if I want really really good and precise prints.

[swak]

+1 to the link, I had to use that when I first got my A8. The coupler’s came screwed already in the wrong spot so I had to unscrew and fix.

[blinkybill]

thank you everyone for the great help.

i got some improvement from your suggestions.

but i went through all the filament i had. and now im waiting for the filament i ordered from gearbest to arrive.

then i will do some more experiments and report back.

many thanks again. i see this forum has a very helpful community and im sure to stick around.

[blinkybill]

i got some abs today.

this one was printed on 230c, bed was 90c.

layer height was 0.2mm, 10% infill.

wall thickness 0.8

print speed 40, travel speed 60.

flow 90%, fan 50%

overall im happy with it considering it’s abs, but i did have some under extrusion on the walls

not sure why.