Snapmaker 2 A350 unusable bad printquality

Posted by

u/Few-Celery1222

A350

16 hours ago

Snapmaker 2 A350 unusable bad printquality

Hi everyone,

at work, we have a Snapmaker 2, for about 1.5 years by now. At first, the printquality was pretty good (not perfect). Somehow it seems like the quality overall decreased to a level where the prints are not useable anymore, and we have no idea why, which is why I’d really appreciate some help if any of you guys can help me.

I’m first gonna list the problems (I also attach some photos), and then all I’ve tried so far.

-overall quality. There are always a lot of blobs on a print, and also some deformation (as seen on the benchys, hull and top)-collision with object when printing. I’m not sure if the z-axis is somehow not calibrated, but at some prints (temp tower and top of benchy) the nozzle is actually in the already printed part and extrudes. When the nozzle goes somewhere else then, the plastic stands up. The red lines on the pictures show the highest layer the nozzle was actually on, and you clearly see that the print is higher then that, which should not be possible. I first thought maybe it’s overextruding, but I do not think that’s the problem, keep reading to see why-bad first layer. It adheres good to the bed, but the lines from the nozzle are clearly visible, sometimes even with a gap. We have that problem even with a PEI buildplate. I’d expect the first layer to be properly melted together, so the lines are not visible, especially with the PEI plate (at least it is like that with the Creality-printer I have at home). This sounds like underextrusion to me.

This are the things I tried:

-Leveling the bed multiple times, manually and automatically, to solve the last listed problem. Does not seem to have an effect. With the PEI-plate it got better.-played around with temperature as well as printing speed. Neither increasing or decreasing helped with any problem-Increasing and decreasing flow, for problem 2 and 3. Nothing changed-tried different filaments (different brands, brand new one, dried the ones we have, etc.). Especially because of the new filament and drying I’m sure it’s nothing with to wet filament.-updated the firmware, and downgraded it to an older version as upgrading did not help. Neither did downgrading-changed to Cura-Slicer, as it’s better to adjust printsettings. Looked just the same as sliced with Cura-calibrated e-steps. When I told the printer to extrude 100mm, it only extruded 86mm, so I adjusted the e-steps accordingly. Did not solve any of my problems. I also decreased the e-steps (lower then original) just to see what happens, and still no dramatic change.-it also seems that the part-cooling is not good. I checked that the cooling-fan for the part is at 100% all the time, so I’m sure that’s good-changed the nozzle. Just to be sure, nothing changed-took the whole extruder apart. I hoped to find some dirt, or something that seems wrong. But everything looked good. The fans had a little dust on them, but not that it would block the airflow. I cleaned the extruder-gear as there were little plastic-parts stuck to it. So I cleaned everything as good as I could. Did not change anything.

I really appreciate any help, as I’m out of ideas and do not know what to change





How many prints would you say you’ve done on this machine? Any filaments such as glow-in-the-dark, carbon fiber, wood, glitter, etc? ie, not a straight boring PLA single color?

Where I’m heading with those questions is I’m wondering if your nozzle has just worn down. You do need to replace the nozzles on 3D Printers over time - but I didn’t see this as something you have tried?

EDIT: Ignore me… I missed those three key words that said you did change the nozzle! Proceed to trying the great suggestions below by @Skreelink

@CandleFX They did state they changed the nozzle.

@cj93 What I’m seeing is really bad curling. While you double-checked the settings, you should check if the fan is actually running. You can connect with Luban and send M106 S255 in the console to turn the fan on max speed and go see if you feel airflow from the vent.

Another thing I see in the first layer image is it looks fine on the left down to squished on the right. Your X axis might be skewed. Turn the machine off and set two items the exact same height (maybe cans of veggies) under the front of the X axis ends infront of the Z axis leadscrews. Very carefully push them down until they both rest on the cans to ensure they’re level, turn on the machine, and recalibrate.

Also if you have the enclosure, try printing with it open and maybe place a fan pointed at it to see if that helps, if it does, it’s definitely a cooling issue.

EDIT: @CandleFX We can’t ignore you, you’re invested now! :upside_down_face:

1 Like

I guess your print is printed too hot and your part cooling is not strong enough yet.
Maybe your filament is wet.

Are you sure your extruder is well calibrated now? +16% is more difference than normal on the single extruder (mine was “only” 10% different).

May share your print settings for further insight?
Material, print temp, bed temp, enclosure?, speeds, infill,…
Did you try other filament (brand, color, dry)?

Maybe here some reading:

What @xchrisd said; we are going to need quite a bit more information to really help you.

In addition, you may want to check the backlash and bearing slop of the linear modules. Over time with the machine use, the backlash prevention nut and the linear rail bearings inside the modules can wear out, causing all sorts of problems that are easily misdiagnosed.