3D print problems and how to fix them: find your defect by symptom
Search by name or symptom and see the cause and the fix, plus, for 242 records, two illustrations: the defect and the fix as applied. It covers 29 technologies, from FDM and resin to powder processes.
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- 277 defectsin 11 categories
- 29 technologiesfrom FDM to bioprinting
- 242 illustration pairsdefect and applied fix
- 13 recordschecked against EDi Brain rules
What 3D printing defects are
3D printing defects and solutions is a free online reference from EduFacturing that gathers 277 defects from 29 additive manufacturing technologies and shows the symptom, the likely cause and the fix for each. The records sit in 11 categories.
242 records carry a pair of illustrations, the defect as it shows up and the fix as applied, one (filament grinding) only the defect illustration, and 34 are text only. The illustrations are drawings. When the EDi Brain rules check is switched on, those rules appear for 13 records too, but only on an exact match of defect and technology, never by similarity of name.
Search, filtering and comparison run in the browser.
What it does: cause and fix with illustrations
Finds the defect by name or symptom
The box searches the symbol, the name, the subtitle, the tags and all three fields of a record. Type “strands”, “stringing” or “belt” and only the matches stay, and a category narrows the list further.
Gives symptom, cause and fix with illustrations
Every record has three fields, a description and tags. 242 records also have a pair of illustrations, and 15 link to 3D printing materials and to the 3D printing design rules.
Compares up to four defects
In Compare mode you get a table: the columns are the records, the rows are the symptom, the cause and the fix.
Checks 13 records against EDi Brain rules
When the check is switched on, the cited rules appear with their id, rationale and citation in English, as they are in the rules, followed by the question of whether the fix helped.
When you need it: stringing, warping, layer separation
First work out what the defect is, then change one setting, not three.
FDM printer operator: strands and lifted corners
Strands between features or lifted corners: search “strands” or “warping”, compare the illustration with the part and try the fix, for example more retraction and a nozzle 5 to 10 °C cooler for stringing.
Resin, powder or metal defects
Defects in SLA, DLP, SLS, MJF or DMLS are different, so search in the family of your technology: 50 records for photopolymer and 74 for powder processes.
Teacher and student
The teacher shows the pair of illustrations and students compare up to four defects in a table. There is also a learning section with five topics.
Hardware or slicer, in a workshop or service bureau
Repeat the print twice with no change: a defect in a different place is hardware, a defect in the same place comes from the slicer or the material.
How a defect is found
The reference does not calculate a number. It searches, filters and links records by clear rules.
Search and category
The text is searched in the symbol, name, subtitle, tags and fields, with upper and lower case treated the same. A category narrows the same list, and the counter shows how many of the 277 records are left.
Rules check
When the check is switched on, for a linked record the tool asks the EDi Brain rules about the defect and its technology and shows the cited rules. The link is by the pair of record and technology, never by name alone.
| Applies to | Formula | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| List | shown = category AND search | both filters apply at once; the counter reads “N of 277” |
| Compare | up to 4 records; columns = records, rows = fields | a missing value shows as a dash; a fifth record is not accepted |
| Rules check | (record, technology) → defect in the rules | 13 records link to 10 defects; without an exact match there is no citation |
Not only FDM: resin, powder and metal
Not only for FDM
234 of the 277 records are in five technology families: photopolymer, powder, directed energy deposition, sheet and specialised. They cover 28 technologies beyond desktop FDM.
A citation is a citation, not a likeness
A link to the rules exists only on an exact match. Three defects are left unlinked on purpose: the match was only on the surface, and the cause, the fix or the mechanism differs.
“Not sure” is an answer
The question of whether the fix helped has three choices: yes, no and not sure.
The tool does not recognise a photo of your part: there is no file upload. You compare the part with the illustrations yourself.
Causes and fixes are general for the symptom: the tool does not read your machine settings, so it gives likely causes, not a diagnosis. 13 of the 277 records have a cited rule, and the rest have none, which does not mean they are wrong. If the check is not switched on, or the rules do not answer, the reference works without them and says the check is not available.
Questions about stringing and print defects
What causes stringing in 3D printing?
Too little retraction, a nozzle that is too hot and slow retraction moves. Stringing shows as thin strands between parts of the print.
How to fix stringing in 3D printing?
More retraction, a temperature 5 to 10 °C lower, “wipe nozzle” and a check of the travel speed. Change one setting at a time and print again.
How to fix 3D print defects?
Find the defect by name or symptom, compare your part with the illustrations and change one setting, not three. Cannot tell hardware from slicer? Repeat the print twice with no change: a defect in a different place is hardware, in the same place it comes from the slicer or the material.
What are common 3D printing defects?
The reference groups 277 defects in 11 categories: six general ones (adhesion, extrusion, surface, accuracy, mechanical, resin) and five technology families. Warping, stringing and Z-banding are among them.
How many technologies does the reference cover?
29: FDM, 6 photopolymer (SLA, DLP, LCD, CLIP, NPJ, PolyJet), 9 powder (SLS, MJF, DMLS, SLM, EBM, BJ, MBJ, MMBJ, FCBJ), 4 directed energy deposition (EBAM, LENS, WAAM, DMD), 4 sheet (LOM, C-LOM, UM-LOM, SDL) and 5 specialised (bioprinting, DIW, PELLET, CONTOUR, DOD).
Can I upload a photo of my defect?
No. There is no file upload, so you compare your part with the illustrations yourself. Only the defect, its technology and, if you answer, your verdict go to the rules check, never a photo or a file.
Do I need an account to look up a defect?
Without an account the tool opens 3 times a day. With a free account there is no limit. Pro is not needed.
The 3D printing defect reference is free. Pro opens the rest
Pro costs 15 EUR a month and opens 45 Pro tools.
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Find your defect
Opens without an account 3 times a day. A free account removes the limit.