I am so lost and can not figure this out! This is how my cutters are printing, I have these large gaps in the base and the wall. I am not sure where the problem is, I have leveled my bed and my test prints are coming out perfect. Its when I start up a cutter that the problems happen. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have an Ender 3 and use Cura for the slicing. Thanks!!
Are both fans working well? Sometimes when one or both fans aren’t working the pla is not getting out all the time and skip those spaces. Hope this can help.
Yes, both fans are working well. I did another bed level and, again, the test print cameout fine. I am just not sure what I am doing wrong. When the cutter print starts, the first layer- the outline of the base/handle, I can already tell its going to be wrong. The lines are skinner and wider in some areas so the infill doesnt cover it completely. I thought for sure it was the bed leveling, but then my bed leveling print comes out even. This is the most frustrating thing ever! I just want to create cutters to make my delicious cookies!!
What is your blade thickness in CookieCad?
What is the temperature of your nozzle and bed?
Is your nozzle close enough to the bed that a sheet of paper can’t fit between the nozzle and the bed?
I’ve had the best results using the Prusa slicer and my Ender 3 Pro.
I’ve been using these Prusa settings (originally came from CHEP) for years without any problems. Just save all the info below into a file named config.ini and load it into the Prusa Slider software. See if it works any better.
avoid_crossing_perimeters = 0
avoid_crossing_perimeters_max_detour = 0
bed_custom_model =
bed_custom_texture =
bed_shape = 0x0,220x0,220x220,0x220
bed_temperature = 60
before_layer_gcode =
between_objects_gcode =
bottom_fill_pattern = rectilinear
bottom_solid_layers = 3
bottom_solid_min_thickness = 0
bridge_acceleration = 0
bridge_angle = 0
bridge_fan_speed = 100
bridge_flow_ratio = 1
bridge_speed = 60
brim_separation = 0
brim_type = outer_only
brim_width = 0
clip_multipart_objects = 0
color_change_gcode = M600
colorprint_heights =
complete_objects = 0
cooling = 0
cooling_tube_length = 5
cooling_tube_retraction = 91.5
default_acceleration = 0
default_filament_profile = “”
default_print_profile =
deretract_speed = 0
disable_fan_first_layers = 2
dont_support_bridges = 1
draft_shield = disabled
duplicate_distance = 6
elefant_foot_compensation = 0
end_filament_gcode = “; Filament-specific end gcode \n;END gcode for filament\n”
end_gcode = M104 S0 ; turn off temperature\nM140 S0; Turn off Bedd\nG1 E-2 F900; Retract Filament to minimize droping filament while still cooling nozzle\n\nG1 X5.0 F2000\nG1 Y2900 F1000;\nM84 ; disable motors\nM107 ; turn off fan\nM300 S100 P500 ; chirp\n
ensure_vertical_shell_thickness = 0
external_perimeter_extrusion_width = 0
external_perimeter_speed = 50%
external_perimeters_first = 1
extra_loading_move = -2
extra_perimeters = 1
extruder_clearance_height = 20
extruder_clearance_radius = 20
extruder_colour = “”
extruder_offset = 0x0
extrusion_axis = E
extrusion_multiplier = 1
extrusion_width = 0
fan_always_on = 1
fan_below_layer_time = 60
filament_colour = #FFFFFF
filament_cooling_final_speed = 3.4
filament_cooling_initial_speed = 2.2
filament_cooling_moves = 4
filament_cost = 13
filament_density = 1.25
filament_deretract_speed = nil
filament_diameter = 1.75
filament_load_time = 0
filament_loading_speed = 28
filament_loading_speed_start = 3
filament_max_volumetric_speed = 0
filament_minimal_purge_on_wipe_tower = 15
filament_notes = “”
filament_ramming_parameters = “120 100 6.6 6.8 7.2 7.6 7.9 8.2 8.7 9.4 9.9 10.0| 0.05 6.6 0.45 6.8 0.95 7.8 1.45 8.3 1.95 9.7 2.45 10 2.95 7.6 3.45 7.6 3.95 7.6 4.45 7.6 4.95 7.6”
filament_retract_before_travel = nil
filament_retract_before_wipe = nil
filament_retract_layer_change = nil
filament_retract_length = nil
filament_retract_lift = nil
filament_retract_lift_above = nil
filament_retract_lift_below = nil
filament_retract_restart_extra = nil
filament_retract_speed = nil
filament_settings_id = “CHEP_Ender3_V5 (PLA)”
filament_soluble = 0
filament_spool_weight = 0
filament_toolchange_delay = 0
filament_type = PLA
filament_unload_time = 0
filament_unloading_speed = 90
filament_unloading_speed_start = 100
filament_vendor = (Unknown)
filament_wipe = nil
fill_angle = 45
fill_density = 70%
fill_pattern = rectilinear
first_layer_acceleration = 0
first_layer_acceleration_over_raft = 0
first_layer_bed_temperature = 60
first_layer_extrusion_width = 0
first_layer_height = 0.2
first_layer_speed = 30
first_layer_speed_over_raft = 30
first_layer_temperature = 205
full_fan_speed_layer = 0
fuzzy_skin = none
fuzzy_skin_point_dist = 0.8
fuzzy_skin_thickness = 0.3
gap_fill_enabled = 1
gap_fill_speed = 20
gcode_comments = 0
gcode_flavor = marlin
gcode_label_objects = 0
gcode_resolution = 0.0125
gcode_substitutions =
high_current_on_filament_swap = 0
host_type = octoprint
infill_acceleration = 0
infill_anchor = 600%
infill_anchor_max = 50
infill_every_layers = 1
infill_extruder = 1
infill_extrusion_width = 0
infill_first = 0
infill_only_where_needed = 0
infill_overlap = 25%
infill_speed = 80
interface_shells = 0
ironing = 0
ironing_flowrate = 15%
ironing_spacing = 0.1
ironing_speed = 15
ironing_type = top
layer_gcode =
layer_height = 0.2
machine_limits_usage = time_estimate_only
machine_max_acceleration_e = 5000,5000
machine_max_acceleration_extruding = 1250,1250
machine_max_acceleration_retracting = 1250,1250
machine_max_acceleration_travel = 1500,1250
machine_max_acceleration_x = 1000,1000
machine_max_acceleration_y = 1000,1000
machine_max_acceleration_z = 1000,200
machine_max_feedrate_e = 120,120
machine_max_feedrate_x = 200,200
machine_max_feedrate_y = 200,200
machine_max_feedrate_z = 12,12
machine_max_jerk_e = 1.5,2.5
machine_max_jerk_x = 5,10
machine_max_jerk_y = 5,10
machine_max_jerk_z = 0.4,0.4
machine_min_extruding_rate = 0,0
machine_min_travel_rate = 0,0
max_fan_speed = 100
max_layer_height = 0
max_print_height = 250
max_print_speed = 80
max_volumetric_speed = 0
min_fan_speed = 100
min_layer_height = 0.07
min_print_speed = 10
min_skirt_length = 0
mmu_segmented_region_max_width = 0
notes =
nozzle_diameter = 0.4
only_retract_when_crossing_perimeters = 1
ooze_prevention = 0
output_filename_format = CHEP_[input_filename_base].gcode
overhangs = 1
parking_pos_retraction = 92
pause_print_gcode = M601
perimeter_acceleration = 0
perimeter_extruder = 1
perimeter_extrusion_width = 0
perimeter_speed = 60
perimeters = 1
physical_printer_settings_id =
post_process =
print_host =
print_settings_id = CHEP Ender 3 - 020
printer_model =
printer_notes =
printer_settings_id = CHEP_Ender3_V5
printer_technology = FFF
printer_variant =
printer_vendor =
printhost_apikey =
printhost_cafile =
raft_contact_distance = 0.1
raft_expansion = 1.5
raft_first_layer_density = 90%
raft_first_layer_expansion = 3
raft_layers = 0
remaining_times = 1
resolution = 0
retract_before_travel = 2
retract_before_wipe = 0%
retract_layer_change = 0
retract_length = 5
retract_length_toolchange = 10
retract_lift = 0
retract_lift_above = 0
retract_lift_below = 0
retract_restart_extra = 0
retract_restart_extra_toolchange = 0
retract_speed = 40
seam_position = aligned
silent_mode = 1
single_extruder_multi_material = 0
single_extruder_multi_material_priming = 1
skirt_distance = 5
skirt_height = 1
skirts = 1
slice_closing_radius = 0.049
slicing_mode = regular
slowdown_below_layer_time = 5
small_perimeter_speed = 15
solid_infill_below_area = 70
solid_infill_every_layers = 0
solid_infill_extruder = 1
solid_infill_extrusion_width = 0
solid_infill_speed = 20
spiral_vase = 0
standby_temperature_delta = -5
start_filament_gcode = “; Filament gcode\n”
start_gcode = G28 Y0 X0 Z0 ;\nM140 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; set bed temp\nM190 S[first_layer_bed_temperature] ; wait for bed temp\nM104 S[first_layer_temperature] ; set extruder temp\nM109 S[first_layer_temperature] ; wait for extruder temp\nM300 S1000 P500 ; chirp\nG1 Y-3.0 X0.0 F4000.0 ; go outside print area\nG1 Z0.0 F300.0; \nG1 X90 E15.0 F1000.0 ; intro line\nG92 E0.0\n
support_material = 0
support_material_angle = 0
support_material_auto = 1
support_material_bottom_contact_distance = 0
support_material_bottom_interface_layers = -1
support_material_buildplate_only = 0
support_material_closing_radius = 2
support_material_contact_distance = 0.2
support_material_enforce_layers = 0
support_material_extruder = 1
support_material_extrusion_width = 0
support_material_interface_contact_loops = 0
support_material_interface_extruder = 1
support_material_interface_layers = 3
support_material_interface_pattern = rectilinear
support_material_interface_spacing = 0
support_material_interface_speed = 100%
support_material_pattern = rectilinear
support_material_spacing = 2.5
support_material_speed = 60
support_material_style = grid
support_material_synchronize_layers = 0
support_material_threshold = 0
support_material_with_sheath = 1
support_material_xy_spacing = 50%
temperature = 205
template_custom_gcode =
thick_bridges = 1
thin_walls = 1
threads = 8
thumbnails =
toolchange_gcode =
top_fill_pattern = rectilinear
top_infill_extrusion_width = 0
top_solid_infill_speed = 15
top_solid_layers = 3
top_solid_min_thickness = 0
travel_speed = 130
travel_speed_z = 0
use_firmware_retraction = 0
use_relative_e_distances = 0
use_volumetric_e = 0
variable_layer_height = 1
wipe = 0
wipe_into_infill = 0
wipe_into_objects = 0
wipe_tower = 0
wipe_tower_bridging = 10
wipe_tower_brim_width = 2
wipe_tower_no_sparse_layers = 0
wipe_tower_rotation_angle = 0
wipe_tower_width = 60
wipe_tower_x = 180
wipe_tower_y = 140
wiping_volumes_extruders = 70,70
wiping_volumes_matrix = 0
xy_size_compensation = 0
z_offset = 0
Thank you for the advice, but I have no idea how to create a file with all that info or upload it into the software. I use the Cura software, I haven’t seen the Prusa software. Maybe I can figure it out.
This is almost certainly a loose belt - the gaps are in one direction only. Look up how to tighten the belt on your model of printer. It will be the belt that is perpendicular to the gap when the cutter is sitting on your bed (so if the gap runs forward, like it is in this photo, and back then the X belt is loose otherwise it’s the Y belt)
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Hello! Did you ever figure out the problem? I’m having the same exact issue! I as well have an ender 3 and use the cura software, I’m currently looking for good settings to try one out to see if that’s an issue. Please let me know 
YOU STINKING GENIUS. I have been struggling with gapping ever since I upgraded my extruder. I have tried everything and you are the first person to suggest tightening the belts. This fixed my problem 100%, THANK YOU!!!
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U R very welcome! Glad it worked 4 U.