Top Layers of 3D Prints Missing

aidanofjayus · 2016-07-18T23:20:40.000Z

Hi.

I’ve recently been having an issue with my Flashforge Creator Pro. I am using Replicator G to process my STL’s to GCode, just in case that might be related.

What is happening is the top few layers are now being printed completely, resulting in the middle part of the print exposed. There are some strings on the top, as if it was able to print small bits of the top layers. However, for the most part, the square pattern which fills the print is exposed, and the top layers aren’t there. This has been happening for all prints ever since the issue started.

I have a picture attached to this thread of one of the prints with this problem (if the picture doesn’t work, it can be found online here: http://imgur.com/GWKMNTP)

Does anyone know why this is happening, and how to fix it?

Thanks in advance,

Aidan

3dprintpic.png1080×720 225 KB

Falco3d · 2016-07-19T07:06:07.000Z

I think it’s not related to the printer but to the slicer software. Did you check if your slicer software is up-to-date or try using different slicer software to see if this fixes your problem.

Andyjones99 · 2016-07-19T07:22:12.000Z

Use flashprint, its flash forge’s own slicer and works brilliantly for me- its free too http://www.ishare3d.com/3dapp/public/FlashPrint-ii/ The latest version is 3.10.0

Sergio3d · 2016-07-19T07:29:08.000Z

REPLICATOR in G can set different layer thicknesses may be that they are defined with too low thicknesses to be Printed…

Good luck

Serge

cobnut · 2016-07-19T07:30:56.000Z

Hi Aidan, are you getting any buildup of filament around the nozzle/print? In other words, does it look like the filament that should have been there for the top layers IS getting extruded, but not laying properly (i.e. potentially an adhesion problem), or is it entirely missing (i.e. potentially a feed problem)?

Jon

aidanofjayus · 2016-07-19T12:24:33.000Z

Alright, I’ll try this. Thanks

aidanofjayus · 2016-07-19T12:24:53.000Z

I’ll try FlashPrint.

crprinting · 2016-07-19T13:08:46.000Z

I use simplify3d with 4-5 top layers which works awesome!

Falco3d · 2016-07-19T14:09:03.000Z

Hope this will fix the problem, let us know if it’s fixed.

Perry_1 · 2016-07-19T14:59:49.000Z

Try printing more than 1 top layer. Also, make sure your top layer is printed at the correct extrusion.

Experiment with top layer speed. Up/down.

Finally, use different slicing software. There are so many options beside replicator G, which was abandoned years ago.

Flashforge recently published flashprint, which will work great with your printer.

Simplify3d is the gold standard, and will make your day!

aidanofjayus · 2016-07-19T21:43:12.000Z

Now something far worse is happening, and this is something completely unrelated to the slicer. The extruder is not extruding the filament at a constant rate. When I try to load the extruder, barely any filament comes out, but when it does it is slow and not constant. Sometimes it will stop and then randomly spurt out a little. When I try to print now, this happens:

What’s going on? I need this fixed as soon as possible!

Thanks,

Aidan

Photo on 7-19-16 at 5.40 PM.jpg1080×720 50.4 KB

Perry_1 · 2016-07-19T21:54:05.000Z

OK, when you are LOADING filament, it is spurting and clogging, then spurting.

This is almost always one of two things:

Your temperature is set too low - using your front panel, set your temperature to 230.

OR

Your extruder wheel is slipping. The wheel that grabs your filament …

aidanofjayus · 2016-07-19T22:29:02.000Z

My temperature is already at 230, so how do I fix the wheel from slipping?

rossiam · 2016-07-20T16:54:16.000Z

Have you tried cleaning the gear that grips the filament? There’s a really good YouTube video for the Creator Pro that shows how to do this.