Broken Struts
Broken Struts
Part feature prints properly and breaks at a later point.
Broken Struts can be diagnosed as follows:
- Areas of breakage will fit together like puzzle pieces.
- Features will not be missing printed material when the broken area is held back together.
- Occurs on elastomeric lattices.
Broken Struts and Tears are defects that arise from the same issue but one appears on lattices and the other on surfaces, respectively.
Rigid parts experience Chipping instead of Broken Struts or Tears.
Causes - Printing Forces
Solution - Print Preparation or Part Design
Cause - Inconclusive
Try the following actions in order.
- Process Checks
- Print Preparation or Part Design Adjustments
It is recommended that you review all the possible solutions before taking action to ensure you are pursuing the best course of action.
Most broken struts occur during post-processing. Review the scenarios below and verify if any apply to operating procedures.
It is less common for broken struts or tears to occur during printing but can occasionally happen due to print forces. The following solutions will address print or part-related causes of the defects. Choose among the suggested actions below and select the best approach for your application. Usually, only one type of adjustment is needed.
If problems persist, please reach out to Carbon Support.
Broken Struts can occur in elastomeric lattices when they are stretched and pulled to the point of breakage. This can occur during post-processing or printing, with the former being the common scenario.
How the part is handled in post-processing is causing the defect.
Root Issue | Problem | Why Defect Presents |
|---|---|---|
Platform Removal | Aggressive | Elastomeric resins are delicate in the green state and require gentle handling. |
Lattices Washed on Platform | Swelling | Solvent is temporarily absorbed into parts which causes swelling. Thin struts can be stretched and torn by swelling when the platform constraints the lattice on on side. |
Root Issue | Problem | Why Defect Presents |
|---|---|---|
Design | Weak Struts | Thin struts that are supporting larger struts or cross sections can tear under suction forces. |
Printing Stage | Parameter Type | Type of Adjustment | Why Defect Presents |
|---|---|---|---|
1 Pump Up | Pump Height | Increase | A large pump height can stretch and break struts that are still clinging to the dead zone's surface tension. |
| Platform Speed | Increase | Increased Motor Up Speed increases suction forces which can be especially problematic if a large cross section occurs later in the print after delicate struts. |