Nozzle oozing is caused by several factors, such as incorrect temperature settings, retraction settings, printing speed, and filament type. By understanding these factors and how they affect your print quality, you can adjust your settings and optimize your printing process. You can also use some simple techniques and tools to remove the oozing filament from your nozzle and your print.
- Check your temperature settings. The most common cause of nozzle oozing is having a too high temperature for your filament. This makes the filament melt faster than it can be extruded, resulting in excess material that drips from the nozzle. To fix this, lower your nozzle temperature by 5-10 degrees Celsius and see if the oozing stops. You can also use a temperature tower to find the optimal temperature range for your filament.
- Check your retraction settings. Retraction prevents the filament from leaking out of the nozzle during travel moves. To fix nozzle oozing, you need to make sure your retraction settings are correct for your printer and filament. The main settings to adjust are retraction distance and retraction speed. The retraction distance is how far the filament is pulled back into the extruder, and the retraction speed is how fast it is pulled back. The optimal values depend on your printer model, extruder type, and filament type, but a good starting point is 2-5 mm for retraction distance and 40-60 mm/s for retraction speed. You can also use a retraction test to fine-tune your settings.
- Check your printing speed. Another factor that can cause nozzle oozing is having a too high printing speed for your filament. This makes the extruder push more filament than the nozzle can handle, resulting in excess material that oozes out of the nozzle. To fix this, lower your printing speed by 10-20% and see if the oozing stops. You can also use a speed tower to find the optimal speed range for your filament.
- Check your filament type. Different types of filament have different properties and behaviors when heated and extruded. Some filaments are more prone to oozing than others, such as flexible filaments or filaments with additives or fillers. To fix nozzle oozing, you need to choose a filament type that is suitable for your printer and model. You can also use a filament guide to learn more about the characteristics and best practices of different filaments.
- Remove the oozing filament from your nozzle and print. If you have already printed a part with horizontal lines or blobs due to nozzle oozing, you can try to remove them using some simple techniques and tools. One technique is to use a heat gun or a hair dryer to heat up the oozing filament and then peel it off with tweezers or a scraper. Another technique is to use sandpaper or a file to smooth out the surface of your print. You can also use acetone or alcohol to dissolve or wipe off the oozing filament from your nozzle and print.