Retraction involves pulling back the filament in the nozzle when the extruder finishes printing a section of the model. Then, when printing resumes, the filament is pushed back into the nozzle and extruded from the top. This process helps prevent excess filament from oozing out and causing strings or hanging parts in the print.

Build Platform is Not Level: If your printer has an adjustable bed and you’re having trouble with the first layer sticking, check if the bed is flat and level. An uneven bed can cause adhesion problems.

Nozzle Starts Too Far from the Bed: Even after leveling the bed, you need to ensure the nozzle is at the correct height from the build platform. The nozzle should be close enough to the bed to allow proper adhesion but not so close that it clogs or damages the bed.

First Layer is Printing Too Fast: Printing the first layer too quickly can prevent the plastic from properly bonding to the surface. Slow down the printing speed for the first layer to give the plastic time to adhere to the bed.

Use of Build Bed Adhesive: Applying an adhesive to the build bed can improve print adhesion. Ordinary hairspray works well. Spray a few layers onto the build bed before starting your print to help the plastic stick better.

Warping is less common with modern 3D printers that have heated beds, but it can still occur due to poor adhesion and thermal contraction.

A lack of adhesion often results from incorrect nozzle height or an uneven bed. If the nozzle is too high or the bed isn’t level, the first layer may not stick properly. Using adhesives like standard aerosol hairspray on glass beds can improve adhesion.

Thermal contraction of the upper layers can also cause warping. As these layers cool and shrink, they pull on the lower layers, which can even break the print surface. This issue is more common with materials like ABS or Nylon, and less so with PLA.

To prevent warping, ensure proper bed leveling, correct nozzle height, and use suitable adhesives. Understanding the thermal properties of your printing material is also crucial.

Cracking or delamination happens when the layers of a 3D print do not adhere well, causing them to separate. This can be due to poor adhesion between layers or thermal shrinkage.

When poor adhesion is the issue, the layers fail to bond properly. To improve adhesion, try increasing the print temperature and reducing the speed of the layer fan, as excessive cooling can negatively impact layer bonding. Materials like ABS are more prone to cracking and can be challenging to manage, while PLA is generally easier to print without cracking.

Thermal shrinkage occurs when different sections of the print cool at varying rates, causing deformation and layer separation. Managing thermal contraction requires creating a warmer printing environment. Covering the printer or moving it to a warmer location can help maintain a consistent temperature and reduce the risk of cracking.

Cracking or delamination happens when the layers of a 3D print do not adhere well, causing them to separate. This can be due to poor adhesion between layers or thermal shrinkage.

When poor adhesion is the issue, the layers fail to bond properly. To improve adhesion, try increasing the print temperature and reducing the speed of the layer fan, as excessive cooling can negatively impact layer bonding. Materials like ABS are more prone to cracking and can be challenging to manage, while PLA is generally easier to print without cracking.

Thermal shrinkage occurs when different sections of the print cool at varying rates, causing deformation and layer separation. Managing thermal contraction requires creating a warmer printing environment. Covering the printer or moving it to a warmer location can help maintain a consistent temperature and reduce the risk of cracking.