I have a problem with my support structures not holding up. The plastic keeps bunching up on the nozzle head. What are the couple of ways to fix this? thank you!
Can you add a picture? It’ll make it much easier to diagnose
if the plastic is curling upwards when coming out of the nozzle it is probably too hot
One thing might be that it doesn’t have enough time to cool down between layers. How much time does it take to print per layer. If one layer is too hot when the next layer gets laid then it will all just ball up into a amorphous mess.
You need better adhesion to the bed. If printing PLA use a glue stick or painters tape,if ABS use ABS glue.
Well, first off I don’t use Cura so if anyone else knows the specifics of this, could you add info to this post? However this is a settings problem more than likely. In your support settings you should have a way of adjusting the properties of your support structures. Such as, the percentage of the density that you are laying it down, where you are laying it down can also produce these results you are seeing. You could try adding several models to your bed, and then select each model and give it different settings to see which one sticks the best.
It might be helpful to us to be more specific as to where in your print that this is occurring, because the problem would then have differing causes. For example if it’s occurring in the first layer then it could be a first layer height issue, or a combination of this with the density that you selected. If it is occurring in the upper layers then it could be just a density issue. Just keep in mind that the smaller you make your support structures the slower you might have to slow your print head down to accommodate it. Make it larger and it will have more material to help it cling to your bed and or model. Start with this and if it is still occurring then come back with more specifics.
I would check your support setting under advanced, expert settings. If you have your support structure settings too far, most likely in the Z direction, your support has nothing to grab when it leaves the nozzle and can clump. I run mine around .1mm in the Z with 1mm in X&Y with lines support around 15% and it works out almost perfect every time.
Well Tony I have a Robo R1 and I can tell you its nearly impossible to get the supports to print on the glass plate itself. So your best bet is to print a raft any time you have supports so that they have something to grab onto. In the settings panel experiment with the support distance. I have mine set to 3mm and I believe it was originally set to 6mm, which was a little too far apart. Also, depending on what you print, PLA, ABS, or whatever, the adhesion is largely related to temperature issues. Also, if your nozzle head is bunching up, you may want to inspect the underside of the heating element. Over time, the vaporized particles of plastic stick to the underside and cause a slow steady buildup. This can drip, which tugs at the newest layers coming out of the nozzle. Then you have the supports, which are by their nature very thin, sticking to the drip drop. Check also to see that your nozzle head is completely snug, or you will have oozing out of the sides of the joints. This causes dripping, and then those characteristic blob clogs that follow your print around the bed. Hope this helps.
